Nursing students in an expanded charge nurse role: a real clinical management experience.

Ensuring that baccalaureate nursing students obtain a measure of management and leadership proficiency is a challenge for nurse educators. Having senior students manage juniors in a clinical course modeled in a peer hierarchal pattern that emulates advanced beginner practice is a creative approach that is both realistic and achievable. Through specific learning experiences, students are exposed to typical management functions and asked to demonstrate management and leadership skills at an expanded charge nurse level.