Anyone know about Clinical Nurse Leader?

arciedee · Mar 14, 2007

Here's a thread that I started about the CNL role:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f223/anyone-graduated-clinical-nurse-leader-program-174028.html

Are you currently an RN or are you making a career change? I'm in a direct entry CNL MSN program, but a couple of my instructors went the traditional route to become CNLs.

For me, I know that we'll be starting our careers as regular RNs making regular RN pay. Some hospitals in my area are starting to create positions specifically for CNLs, but the more important emphasis of our program is that no matter what our job title that we will act as clinical nurse leaders. I decided to pursue my RN at this level because it was the same total length as an ADN program, but I'll be able to sit for the NCLEX after a year and a half, and it will give me greater flexibility in my career in terms of having the educational credentials to eventually teach or take roles that require the MSN. Hope this helps!

Oakstyn · Mar 14, 2007

thanks! and yes I am making a total career change. I just didn't know how CNL's ranked in the world of nursing.

char2004 · Jul 21, 2008

Here is a link to press and journal articles on the Clinical Nurse Leader

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/PressReferences.htm

Here is the link to the spring CNL bulletin.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNC/pdf/BulletinSpr.pdf

Also, the CNL Listserve is an excellent networking opportunity. Contact Horacio Oliveira at [email protected]. Request to be added to the listserve and what email address you want messages sent to. Recently there have been discussion on how establishments are implementing the CNL role, salaries, etc.

Hope this helps some of you. Have a great day! :)

Franjcamp · Feb 20, 2010

I am looking into this field also. It is a Masters in Nursing Program. I just graduated from the BSN program. I find it interesting that A clinical nurse leader doesn't have to be an RN already, or am I reading these post wrong..

UVA Grad Nursing · Feb 21, 2010

There are four pathways to a Clinical Nurse Leader program. They all prepare people for the same CNL certification examination. They are:

BSN to CNL

ADN/diploma to CNL

Direct Entry MSN (CNL)

High school entry to MSN (CNL)

peaceofmind8 · Mar 30, 2010

I've been accepted to both an ME-CLN and ABSN program and am trying to determine which one to accept. It does seem odd to me that a Master's-prepared nurse with a title of 'Leader' would also be the newbie on a unit...Does anybody have thoughts or observations about this 'role' and how it is being integrated into current practice?

UVA Grad Nursing · Mar 31, 2010

Oakstyn:

Congrats on being accepted to two entry-level nursing programs.

The University of Virginia graduated our first Direct Entry CNL grads in 2007, and we are graduating our fourth cohort this year. Grads have gone into entry-level positions immediately upon passing NCLEX at nearly all institutions. Some employers have treated these grads the same as ABSN grads, other employers have given the CNL graduate more responsible duties after 8-12 months.

The UVa Medical Center has employed about 50% of our CNL grads over the past 4 years. Everyone starts as a Clinician Level I (ADN grad, BSN grad, or DE-CNL grad). Most ABSN-graduate Clinician Is submit portfolios for promotion to Clinician II at the 12-15 month mark (ADN grads at the 18-month mark); DE-CNL grads are rising to Clinician II at the 8-12 month mark. Similarly, most Clinician IIs petition to rise to Level III after 2-3 years as a II; CNL grads are successfully challenging the ladder after 1-1.5 years as a II. So at this academic medical center, DE-CNL grads are rising faster up the ladder and given more responsible projects (and mentoring activities) than those with BSNs and similar years post-NCLEX.

I agree with you about the trademarked name "Clinical Nurse Leader" -- it is not the name that I would have selected. But no one is an expert when they complete a degree. Think of the CNL White Paper as a skill set that you will grow into as the "training wheels" come off.

Franjcamp · Apr 1, 2010

Maybe I am misinterpreting this program. I find it hard to believe that a high school student with no previous nursing education can excel in a masters in nursing program. I have 25 years of nursing experience and to tell you when I graduated from nursing school with my ADN and my licensure, I didn't know squat. Nursing is definetly a learning experience, but it is also learning from your associates, the doctors, the supervisors and your own as well as others mistakes and retaining that information for furthur reference.

elkpark · Apr 1, 2010

I follow the job openings for my entire region pretty closely, and no one in my region is using CNLs. I have seen one opening for a CNL, total, in the years since the role was invented, in my area. I'm v. dubious about whether this role is going to catch on over time.

domsmom · May 29, 2010

I am a CNL at a VA facility and many CNLs are employed throughout the U.S. I do not advocate trying to find a job as a CNL without staff nursing experience. The CNL is an advanced generalist at the bedside. The role improves quality of care and patient safety by promoting evienced-based practice and staff nurses use us as clinical receptors. It's difficult to improve nursing care and act as a clinical resource without a substantial amount of nursing experience.

Franjcamp · May 29, 2010

One good thing about the CNL program I am enrolled in it runs neck in neck with the Nurse Practioner Programs I have looked into until the last semester or two, so if it doesn't pan out then there is always another direction one can go. I am sure there are Nurses with Masters needed out there.