Having a small and limited group of charge nurses may provide more reliable leadership in the unit with more consistent practices. One study found a significant increase in both charge nurse and staff satisfaction if the charge nurse is well trained in areas of leadership, delegation, decision making, power, conflict resolution, negotiation and persuasion, team building, communication, and image (Thomas, 2012). The learning of these skills and their regular practice in the charge nurse role is important to the maintenance of the well-trained charge nurse experience.
The disadvantage to a core group of charge nurses may be the limitation this may create for the rest of the staff. Limiting the charge nurse opportunity and responsibility to a small few could be a disincentive for staff members who feel ready to take on this type of leadership but are not given the opportunity. If the core charge nurse model is utilized, it is important to offer other staff the opportunity to become a charge nurse through charge nurse training and other professional development opportunities.