EP. 149: Charge Nurse Leadership: 3 Strategies to Improve Professionalism and Team Culture

Charge nurses set the tone for the entire department, especially when leaders are not in the room.

In this episode, Dr. Renee Thompson discusses a common challenge healthcare leaders face: charge nurses who are clinically strong but struggle with professionalism, communication, and respect. Drawing on the Healthy Workforce Institute’s Department Culture Change initiative, which has worked with more than 135 departments, Renee shares that every department assessed had some concern involving charge nurses. She explains why leaders often avoid difficult conversations and outlines three practical strategies: having honest conversations, providing training focused on the “people” side of leadership, and removing charge nurses from the role when harmful behavior continues. Renee also reflects on Tim Gunn’s lessons on professionalism, kindness, curiosity, integrity, and consistent daily habits, which are valuable reminders for charge nurses and healthcare leaders alike.

Tune in to learn how healthcare leaders can hold charge nurses accountable, strengthen professionalism, and create a healthier work culture for every team member.

About Dr. Renee Thompson:

Dr. Renee Thompson is a leading authority on creating healthy work cultures by eliminating bullying and incivility in healthcare. With more than 31 years of experience as a clinical nurse, educator, quality manager, and executive leader, she has become one of the most sought-after experts on workplace culture. As CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, Renee works with healthcare organizations worldwide to equip leaders with the tools they need to cultivate professional, respectful, and supportive teams.

Renee is a published author, award-winning speaker, and one of only 30 nurses worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation. She also serves on The Joint Commission’s Workplace Violence Technical Advisory Panel and has been recognized globally for her thought leadership and advocacy.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:

• Charge nurses play a powerful informal leadership role and must model professionalism, respect, and healthy workplace behaviors.

• Leaders often avoid difficult conversations with charge nurses because they lack the skills, fear defensive reactions, or feel uncomfortable using their authority.

• Honest feedback should be specific, direct, and balanced by naming what the charge nurse does well and what behavior needs to change.

• Charge nurses need training not only in operations and patient flow, but also in the people side of leadership, including conflict, feedback, emotional intelligence, and respectful communication.

• When charge nurses continue to behave unprofessionally after feedback and support, removing them from the role may be necessary to protect the team culture.

• Consistent leadership habits, such as documenting conversations and addressing issues early, help sustain a healthy and respectful work environment.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about the Charge Nurse Development for a Healthy Workforce course from the Healthy Workforce Academy.

• Check out Tim Gunn’s book Gunn’s Golden Rules.

• Learn more about the Framework here!

• Learn the 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior here!

• Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here!

• Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here.

• Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at wecare@healthyworkforceinstitute.com to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

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