What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?
A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a highly skilled and master’s educated nurse who plays a crucial role in ensuring the optimal functioning of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. They are responsible for leading and coordinating the care of patients in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
The clinical nurse leader is responsible for the overall management of patient care, including the development and implementation of care plans, coordination of patient care between healthcare team members, and monitoring of patient outcomes. Clinical nurse leaders work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care possible.
One of the key responsibilities of the clinical nurse leader is to act as a mediator between patients and their families, and the healthcare team. This involves communicating with patients and families about their care plan, explaining medical procedures and treatments, and addressing any concerns or questions they may have. In addition, the clinical nurse leader is responsible for ensuring that patients and families are informed about their rights and responsibilities as patients and that they are treated with dignity and respect throughout their care.
The clinical nurse leader also plays a critical role in the management and coordination of patient care. This includes working with other healthcare professionals to develop care plans that are tailored to the individual needs of each patient and ensuring that these plans are implemented and followed. Additionally, the clinical nurse leader is responsible for monitoring patient outcomes and making adjustments to care plans as needed to ensure that patients are receiving the highest quality of care possible.
In addition to their role in patient care, clinical nurse leader also plays an important role in the education and mentoring of other healthcare professionals. Clinical nurse leaders should provide training and education on new medical treatments and procedures, as well as guidance and support to new nurses and other healthcare professionals.
How to become a Clinical Nurse Leader
Becoming a clinical nurse leader in the US requires a combination of education, experience, and certification. Here are the steps to take to become a clinical nurse leader:
– Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited nursing program. This is the minimum education requirement for becoming a clinical nurse leader.
– Gain nursing experience. Most clinical nurse leader programs require applicants to have at least two years of experience working as a registered nurse (RN) before applying.
– Find a clinical nurse leader program. Clinical nurse leader programs are usually offered at the graduate level and are typically master’s or doctoral degree programs. These programs are designed to provide advanced training in leadership and management for nurses.
– Complete the clinical nurse leader program. CNL programs typically take 2-3 years to complete, depending on the program and whether or not you attend full-time or part-time.
– Pass the clinical nurse leader certification exam. After completing the clinical nurse leader program, graduates are eligible to take the certification exam. This exam is offered by the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) and tests the student’s knowledge and competency in the clinical nurse leader role.
– Obtain licensure. All clinical nurse leaders must be licensed as an RN in the state in which they work.
– Maintain certification. Clinical nurse leader certification must be renewed every 5 years by completing continuing education and passing the certification exam again.
Keep in mind, some states might have different requirements for clinical nurse leaders, it’s important to check with the state board of nursing for the specific state where you plan to work.
Skills of a Clinical Nurse Leader
Here are a few key skills of a clinical nurse leader:
– Leadership: clinical nurse leaders must be able to lead and manage healthcare teams, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They have the ability to inspire and motivate their team members, as well as delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively.
– Patient-centered care: clinical nurse leaders must be able to provide patient-centered care by coordinating and leading care delivery, and by developing and implementing care plans that are tailored to the individual patient’s needs.
– Clinical expertise: clinical nurse leaders must have advanced knowledge and expertise in their area of practice and be able to use this knowledge to improve patient outcomes and to provide guidance and support to other healthcare professionals.
– Communication: clinical nurse leaders need to effectively communicate with patients, families, and healthcare team members.
– Problem-solving: clinical nurse leaders need to be able to identify and solve problems that arise in their unit or department. They must think critically and make decisions promptly to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
– Quality improvement: clinical nurse leaders must have the ability to implement and evaluate quality improvement initiatives, to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care possible.
– Teamwork: clinical nurse leaders need to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and other specialists, to provide the best possible care for patients.
– Adaptability: clinical nurse leaders must know to adapt to new situations and changes in the healthcare environment. They need to think on their feet and make decisions quickly to ensure that patients receive the care they need.
– Coordination of care: clinical nurse leaders must coordinate and lead the care delivery process across different healthcare settings, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process and that the patient’s needs are met.
Salary of a Clinical Nurse Leader
The average salary for a Lead Clinical Nurse in the United States is $107,348 per year, with an estimated total pay of $114,340 per year, according to Glassdoor. The additional payment of $6,992 per year can include cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. Salaries for CNLs can vary depending on the region of the country. CNLs in the Northeastern states tend to earn the highest salaries. Experience and the type of employer also play a role in determining salary for CNLs. CNLs who work in hospitals tend to earn the highest salaries.
FAQs
Q: Where do clinical nurse leaders work?
A: Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) can work in different environments such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, private practices, and other healthcare settings. They may also work in specialized areas such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care, or have a role in primary care, community health, or ambulatory care settings. CNLs can also be found in academic settings, serving as educators and researchers
Q: What is a clinical nurse leader certification?
A: A clinical nurse leader certification is a professional certification that is earned by nurses who have completed a clinical nurse leader program and passed the CNL certification exam. To take the CNL certification exam, the following criteria must be met:
– Graduation from an accredited CNL master’s or post-master program OR
– Enrollment in the final term of an accredited CNL master’s or post-master program.
The CNL Certification Exam is a computer-based test that takes three hours to complete. The exam results are reported on a scale between 150-500, and a minimum passing score of 350 is required to pass the exam. To learn more about the exam and the certification process, please refer to the CNL Certification Guide available at https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/CNL/CNL-Certification-Guide.pdf.
Q: What are the pros and cons of being a clinical nurse leader?
A: Pros:
– Leadership opportunities: clinical nurse leaders have the opportunity to lead and manage healthcare teams, which can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
– Patient-centered care: clinical nurse leaders can provide patient-centered care by coordinating and leading care delivery, and by developing and implementing care plans that are tailored to the individual patient’s needs.
– Clinical expertise: clinical nurse leaders have advanced knowledge and expertise in their area of practice, which allows them to improve patient outcomes and provide guidance and support to other healthcare professionals.
– Career advancement: clinical nurse leaders have the opportunity to advance in their careers and take on leadership roles within the healthcare industry.
Cons:
– High level of responsibility: clinical nurse leaders have a high level of responsibility and are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a healthcare unit or department. This can be stressful and demanding.
– Long working hours: clinical nurse leaders often work long hours and may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
– High level of accountability: clinical nurse leaders are held accountable for the outcomes of the patients under their care, which can be stressful and demanding.
– Cost and time-consuming: becoming a clinical nurse leader requires advanced education, which can be costly and time-consuming.
References:
Clinical Nurse Leader Association (CNLA). Retrieved from: (https://www.cnlassociation.org/)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Retrieved from: https://www.ncsbn.org/index.page
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Retrieved from: https://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/About-the-Exam
Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries. Retrieved from: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/clinical-lead-nurse-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm