Anyone working as a Clinical Nurse Leader?

suzanne4, RN · Jan 22, 2009

The CNLs that I know are all working in the bedside nursing role. And all of them are in Critical Care areas, at least the ones that I have come into contact with.

Without having several years of actual hospital experience, one is not going to get hired into management at any facility. Then it will depend on the skills of the specific nurse.

It is not really a new role at all, and nothing has changed from the graduates of these programs as compared to those with other degrees as well as the RN. It is strictly as a generalist in every way and form.

Starting salaries are going to be the same as any bedside nurse when you start to work. The majority of hospitals are actually unionized, so it goes by years of actual work experience as an RN, and not the degree that is after your name. Work will start in the role of the RN at the bedside in most cases and then depending on the specific management skills of the nurse will determine how they advance up the ladder. There are also many that have gone this route that have not desired to move up the ropes either. Especially in CA. Salaries for the bedside nurse are under the union, those of management are not. So sometimes the incentives are to remain at the bedside, especially with things the way that they are. Management positions are usually the first to go when things are tight in the facilities as well; they cannot cut down in the number of bedside nurses because of the ratio laws, but they can cut down on middle managers and that is what we are seeing all over now.

Have not seen one hospital require this type of training for any of their management positions.

Livenlearn · Jan 22, 2009

This is great information for me at a time when I need to decide on whether to pursue a BSN or MSN. I have been accepted to both and I am not sure if I eventually might want to work as an advanced practice nurse or in management. I want to keep my options open and am not opposed to additional schooling in the future.

I don't want my license or degree to limit me in my ability to work as a manager or leader if I have the experience. I work now as a PTA and my license limits me in advancing my career. I don't want to put myself in that position again.

Thanks again for your informative post.

88pomme, LPN, LVN · Feb 5, 2009

I have some questions about how this career can grow. Can a CLN go on to become an CRNA, Midwife, Acute care specialist, etc with 'ease', or would there be a lot of repetitive course work?

I am looking at ABSN and 'Direct Entry CNL Masters' programs. For instance, if I wanted to become a CRNA down the line, is a CNL simply increasing my work load, or is it a stepping stone?

Thanks in advance.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 5, 2009

Same work requirements are going to be in place for either the CRNA or most of the CNM programs.

The CRNA programs require at least a year of critical care experience, preferably in a setting where you take care of patients on balloon pumps and have different pressors and cardiac meds infusing.

Most CNM programs want to see at least two years of Delivery experience.

The course work is not going to be repetitive, it is going to be completely different for most of them. If you have already taken one that is required, more than likely you would get credit for it if it taken within the past five years.

Having the CNL is not going to make any difference in getting accepted to a nurse practitioner program; it is going to be based on work experience. The CNL program is quite similar to the generic MSN programs. It will give you the MSN, but it will not give you the training that is needed for most MSN required jobs since no experience will be under your belt.

I would look at time vs. cost etc to help you decide what to do.

lab1 · Mar 12, 2009

I'm will be starting in a CNL program next year. From what I'm reading here the CNL is being used as entry into nursing were you're at. Here you have to be an experienced RN to get accepted. The CNLs are supposed to be coordinating care laterally for a select group of patients needing either extensive aftercare or having complex care needs as an inpatient. Patient loads should be between 15-20 patients because you are not the patients primary care nurse. The idea is to make sure their care is coordinated so they get the care they when they need it, inpatient and outpatient. They are also suppose to help meet CMS protocols, assist with Magnet status and incorporate EBN to name a few The CNL is not management. This position is help RNs that want to stay at bedside stay there. The VA is using them in this way and are reportedly very pleased with the results, as are the patients. There is a CNL association website at http://www.cnlassociation.org/index.php It doesn't have a lot of info, but its a start. You might also try http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNLHome.htm for more info. Hope this helps.

Rockhopper · Mar 12, 2009

Aside from the VA, the only other hospital system hiring CNLs in Cal are Providence hospitals. http://www.providence.org/home/default.htm. I don't know anything about them though. The role of the CNL has been implemented in Florida & some other East Coast states. Maybe a search on their state forums would be helpful.

Like others have stated, the CNL prepares you to be a generalist at the bedside.

I was accepted to an ABSN program as well but choose the MSN program because of the school (it was more organized, had a better rep, was more established). I also choose MSN over community college mostly because of time - it was only 18 months. Definitely shorter than cc. Although it was a lot more $$, it was worth it - we got a good mix of classes (leadership, finance, management), a CNA certificate was required before enrolling, and it was a relatively small class (~20 students). What I liked most was the emphasis on evidence based practice & critical thinking to see the larger picture (what's wrong with the system & how can it be fixed?)

I have ~1 yr experience as a staff RN on a tele/med-surg floor. I got my CNL certificate but I don't know if I'm going to apply it later in my career. Currently, I have no desire to. I don't see many hospitals hiring CNLs when there's such a shortage at the bedside.

christinlea · Oct 11, 2010

I need to interview a current certified CNL if you can help me please let me know thanks

Franjcamp · Aug 12, 2011

I am currently in the CNL program at a local university and after the 1st year I still do not know what the role entails. I do know that it has been expanded to include education. Also many hospitals use them in various positions such as resource nurses and case management and not just on the floor. If that was the case I would not be in the program. I also know that the program I am in runs adjacent with the APN and CNS programs for the first year, so it could possibly make it easier to get into the APN /CNS programs because you have already had those prereq courses such as advanced pathophys, advanced pharmacology, theory, advanced physical assessments, and evidenced based nursing practice. What you have to watch is to make sure your course is CCNE approved and will transfer to another university.

There is a website on Linkedin called Clinical Nurse Leader that may help explain this role.