What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL®) is the first new role in nursing in over 35 years. Presented by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the CNL® is a masters prepared advanced generalist serving as the lateral integrator for the health care team who facilitates, coordinates, and oversees care within the microsystem and in collaboration with the macrosystem. For a full description of the role please read the ‘White Paper’ available on the AACN web site link: Role of a Clinical Nurse Leader.
What does a CNL® do?
A CNL® is designed to practice at the microsystem level, that is to say, at the point of care, following a cohort of patients with a focus on evidence based practice, safety, quality, risk reduction and cost containment. As an advanced generalist, the CNL® has the opportunity to work with all patient populations in all practice settings. The CNL® has been likened to an ‘air-traffic controller’ of patient care who helps coordinate the patients’ plan of care.
Is the CNL® an advanced practice nurse?
No, a Clinical Nurse Leader is a masters prepared advanced generalist.
How is a CNL® different from a case manager?
The case manager (CM) role can vary in each practice setting, however, in general, the CM will coordinate the discharge plan, assure Medicare/Medicaid requirements are fulfilled and provide private insurers with clinical updates. A Clinical Nurse Leader coordinates the patients’ plan of care with the health care team. This may also include patient or staff education, patient assessment, supervision and provision of best practice protocols and direct patient care for the complicated patient. The two roles complement each other in that they both help the patient move through the hospital admission as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
How is the CNL different from a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)?
The CNS is an advanced practice specialist with a macrosystem focus. The CNL® as an advanced generalist with a microsystem focus. They work in collaboration to promote best practice at the point of care and throughout the healthcare system. For a full description please read the CNL/CNS comparison available at: www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/pdf/cnlcnscomparisontable.pdf.
How do I become a Clinical Nurse Leader?
Go to http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl /Index.htm for a list of Universities that provide the CNL® program or contact your local University to find out if they provide the CNL® program. The academic preparation is at the masters level and includes advanced practice courses in clinical assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology. The degree requires 400-500 clinical hours which includes an immersion practicum where the CNL® student has the chance to practice in the role.
Does the Clinical Nurse Leader need to be certified?
Yes, in order to use the CNL® title, you must graduate from an accredited CNL® program and pass an examination. The Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) is the credentialing body who oversees the certification of CNLS®. For more information on certification, recertification, requirements and exam dates visit http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnc.
What is the Clinical Nurse Leader Association (CNLA)?
The Clinical Nurse Leader Association (CNLA) has been created from an identified need to provide a national forum for Clinical Nurse Leaders to support, collaborate and celebrate our unique and evolving role in all practice settings. The CNLA provides an opportunity to highlight the impact of the CNL on quality, safety, patient satisfaction and cost reduction. Decreasing the length of stay through lateral integration, meeting or exceeding reportable standards of practice and reducing non-refundable hospital acquired events are examples of how a CNL® can add value to cost containment efforts and improved patient outcomes.
The mission of the Clinical Nurse Leader Association is to provide a forum for members in all practice settings to collaborate, collect data, publish results, network, promote high standards of practice, maintain a professional presence and stay abreast of issues affecting their practice.
Who can become a member of the CNLA?
There are three membership categories. Full membership with voting rights for certified CNLs® for $150 per year. Practice and Educational partners have access to all member benefits, however, they do not have a vote for a price of $125 per year. Lastly are the CNL® students who have full member benefits without voting privileges for a cost of $100 per year.
I am a nurse executive in a healthcare system interested in initiating the CNL® role, may I join?
Yes, we encourage all interested nurse executives to join our membership in the celebration of CNL® driven patient outcomes. The benefit of the CNL® role in multiple care settings is evident in their posted work.
How do I become a member of the CNLA?
Go to CNLAssociation.org and click on the registration tab below the log in area. Then click on the registration form, print it, fill out the information and mail it in along with payment to the address provided on the form.
Why can’t I register on line?
The CNLA is currently under the AACN umbrella, meaning that our accounts are within an AACN cost center. We are in the process of setting up our own accounts, once they are in place, we will be able to accept on line payments. Until the CNLA accounts are in place, members need to mail in registration and payment.
I am having trouble logging on to the web-site, how do I log on?
Once your registration is received, you will be sent a welcome e-mail (to the e-mail address that you indicated on the registration form). In the e-mail you will be given a coupon number to use during the log-in process. Follow the steps in the e-mail to create your account. Make sure you follow all of the instructions, missing any of the steps can cause errors in log-on.
I am interested in committee work, how do I get involved?
Send an e-mail through info@cnlassociation.org with your area of interest and we will link you with a committee.
Where can I find more information about the CNL role?
Please go to http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/Index.htm. From this web link you can access further information and articles about the Clinical Nurse Leader.
