NUCs and Charge Nurses should remember that patient care needs come before NUC duties and Charge Nurse duties.

There are times when conflicts arise for NUCs and Charge Nurses between patient care needs and the duties expected of NUCs and Charge Nurses, such as staffing, coordination with other units, audits, supervision, administrative expectations, etc. When conflicts arise, the NUC or Charge Nurse needs to set priorities and focus on patient care needs and helping their colleagues with patient care.

These conflicts are not always a failure of the NUC or Charge Nurse to manage time properly. Usually the conflicts are a result of "too much work for the patient care hours alotted." In other works, too much to do in too little time or not enough staff to get the work done during the shift.