First time in charge of a ward: using delegation and leadership

As a newly registered nurse, being in control of a shift can seem daunting, but demonstrating leadership is an important part of nursing practice

My first time in charge of a ward as a registered nurse was in January 2022, just two months after I qualified.

It was also my first night shift as a staff nurse, although I had worked nights as a nursing student and healthcare support worker so had a good idea of what to expect.

Taking charge of the ward

I was working on a COVID ward, and when I arrived for my shift, I was told that the staffing levels were fine. With all 25 beds occupied, this was a huge relief, but swiftly