ABSTRACT
Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is a 333-bed acute care nonprofit community-based hospital that provides healthcare services for Yuma, Arizona, and the surrounding community. The charge nurse role at this organization is entitled "resource coordinator" (RC). This leader is under the general guidance of the director (department manager). The RC's duties include "supervising, facilitating, coordinating, coaching, and managing, in conjunction with the care teams, the use of supplies, equipment, and human resources to achieve desired patient outcomes and to promote professional development" (YRMC, 2009, p. 1). Qualifications include registered nurse licensure and 2 years of nursing experience in an acute care setting.An original needs assessment was conducted in the summer of 2008, surveying RCs, nursing directors, and administrative directors. This needs assessment was created from input of all nursing leaders with the purpose of identifying existing skill levels of essential duties and responsibilities for the RC role. After collection and analysis of results, a workgroup consisting of members of those surveyed was formed, and educational needs were determined for the frontline leaders. Topics included (a) enhancing the workplace environment, (b) understanding organizational performance measures, (c) managing human resources, (d) team building and conflict resolution, and (e) time management.A literature review solidified the importance of having strong nurse leaders at the front line. This includes the influence of these roles on patient and staff satisfaction, employee retention, and positive patient outcomes (Swearingen, 2009). It was identified that charge nurse roles required consistent practice, with competencies including developing people and relationships, leading, accountability, and decision making (Flowers, Sweeney, & Whitefield, 2004; Flynn, Prufeta, & Minghillo-Lapari, 2010).Various programs for charge nurses were examined for possible adaptation. Strategies
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