Which nurse is described as the strength of the ED and should typically serve as the relief charge nurse?

• A. The orienting ED nurse
• B. The RN who frequently functions as charge nurse of the ED
• C. The RN who has floated between the ED and ICU
• D. The RN who is interested in training for the ICU

Answer: (B)

The core idea is leadership and reliability in the ED during times when the regular charge nurse isn’t available. The relief charge nurse must step in and keep patient safety, throughput, and staff coordination steady, making quick, informed decisions under pressure.

The RN who frequently functions as the ED charge nurse already regularly handles the responsibilities: leading the team, assigning workloads, coordinating patient flow, prioritizing needs, communicating with physicians and other departments, and upholding ED protocols. This person has proven visibility into the unit’s rhythm, trauma activations, and disposition decisions, and they’re trusted to maintain order and safety across shifts. That established leadership presence is exactly what a relief charge nurse needs.

The orienting ED nurse is still learning the unit, which can slow decision-making and disrupt flow during a high-stress period. The RN floating between the ED and ICU may know both areas better than a pure orientee, but lack of consistent ED-specific leadership experience can undermine confidence and continuity. The RN aiming for ICU training shows interest in a different specialty and may not have the ED leadership background needed for a relief charge role.

So, the nurse who frequently serves as the ED charge nurse is the best choice to serve as relief charge nurse, because demonstrated leadership, familiarity with ED workflows, and trusted decision-making under pressure are essential for that role.