Final answer:
The charge nurse should assess the impact of the staff nurse's forgotten glasses on patient care and take appropriate action. This may include allowing the nurse to leave early or changing her assignment. The charge nurse should also remind the nurse of the importance of being prepared and may involve higher authorities if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The charge nurse should take immediate action to address the situation with the female staff nurse who forgot her prescription eye glasses at home. As the charge nurse, she should first assess the impact of the situation on the staff nurse's ability to perform her duties safely and effectively. If the nurse's vision impairment significantly impairs her ability to provide safe patient care, the charge nurse should consider allowing the nurse to leave work early or arranging for an alternative assignment that does not require precise vision.
The charge nurse should also discuss the incident with the nurse and remind her of the importance of being prepared for work, as well as the need to prioritize patient safety. The charge nurse may also need to review the hospital's policies and procedures related to eyewear and remind all staff members of their responsibility to come to work with the necessary equipment and supplies.
In some cases, the charge nurse may need to involve the nurse's immediate supervisor or the hospital's human resources department to address the situation more formally and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.