In a hospital unit, who is typically in charge of scheduling and budgeting?

• A. Charge nurse
• B. Unit secretary
• C. Nurse manager
• D. Clinical nurse specialist

Answer: (C)

Scheduling and budgeting for a unit are managerial tasks handled by the nurse manager. This role oversees staffing levels, payroll considerations, supply costs, and resource planning to keep the unit operating efficiently and safely. The nurse manager sets the overall schedule, approves staffing plans, and monitors the budget, balancing patient needs with available resources.

The charge nurse, while crucial for day-to-day operations, coordinates care for the current shift, makes immediate staffing adjustments, and ensures safe patient flow, but does not manage the unit’s broader budget. The unit secretary provides administrative support, handling tasks like phone calls, scheduling meetings, and data entry, not budgeting. The clinical nurse specialist focuses on advanced clinical practice, staff education, and quality improvement, rather than unit budgeting or scheduling.