In what situation can the Director of Nursing (DON) serve as a charge nurse?

The Director of Nursing (DON) can serve as a charge nurse specifically in situations involving limited staffing levels, particularly when managing a smaller patient load, such as in a facility with a daily occupancy of 60 residents or less. In this context, the role of the DON as a charge nurse can be more manageable, allowing them to maintain direct oversight of nursing staff and provide high-quality care to residents.

Having a smaller resident population enables the DON to effectively balance administrative duties with hands-on nursing responsibilities, enhancing patient care and ensuring that staff are coordinated properly. This is particularly important in settings where having a nurse in charge can significantly impact the quality of care delivered.

Other scenarios such as being short-staffed may also seem reasonable; however, they do not establish a standard practice unless specified that either the DON is trained to fill in during critical staffing needs or has the requisite support to maintain effective management. Preferences for charge nurse assignments are generally more structured around the scope of the resident load than simply the availability of staff or specific shifts.