CNL vs NP?

CNLS and NP's are QUITE different.

CNL: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | What is CNL Certification?

CNL essentially prepares clinicians (to provide high level nursing expertise to a nursing team)

NP essentially prepares practitioners (who also have high level nursing experience) but work more in the way of physician extension, with prescriptive and diagnostic authority...etc.

I concur with Oh'Ello.

The NP is an Advanced Practice RN, prepared at the Masters level, with (in many states) prescriptive authority.

The Clinical Nurse Leader is an Advanced Generalist RN, prepared at the Masters level with no prescriptive authority.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist is an Advanced Practice RN, prepared at the Masters level with many if's, and's, & but's surrounding whether they may or may not utilize their prescriptive authority in their respective state.

CNL is a "so what" designation. There are no higher level jobs for a brand new grad. You'll be competing with BSN grads who have had plenty of time to network and impress hiring managers during their clinical rotations. Hiring managers in my organization are not interested in entry-level MSNs, no matter what they're called. It's illogical to think that a person can "lead" anything in which he/she is not yet competent.

CNL is a "so what" designation. There are no higher level jobs for a brand new grad. You'll be competing with BSN grads who have had plenty of time to network and impress hiring managers during their clinical rotations. Hiring managers in my organization are not interested in entry-level MSNs, no matter what they're called. It's illogical to think that a person can "lead" anything in which he/she is not yet competent.

I am curious as to why a new grad MSN would be passed over a new grad BSN as a standard hiring practice.

Would you be able to elaborate on their rationale at all?

Thank you.

We've had a CNL program for a decade now, and have three entry points (Masters Entry, RN with an Associates Degree, and BSN-prepared).

We instruct our Master's Entry folks that they will be interviewing for the same novice/new grad positions that BSN graduates are seeking. The vast majority of institutions we deal with treat the new grad CNL the same as a new grad BSN --- but there are some institutions that definitely prefer one group over the other. In general, we've seen the CNL grad rise faster up the clinical ladder than the BSN-prepared grad but a CNL grad is not at the full extent of the CNL role until 2 or so years after graduation.

Personally, I am not a big fan of the L-word in the 'CNL' name. They are not "leaders" in the way that nurse managers are leaders or the CNO is a leader. We view the CNL as a bedside clinician with additional training in care coordination, patient safety, error reduction, and outcomes enhancement. But that is too many words to fit neatly on a name badge.

In our own curriculum/program, the Direct Entry CNL grad spends over 500 hours in a single unit over 8 months (the final two semesters of the program). This is much more time than our BSN grad spends in any single unit. With us, there is much more time for the manager and senior unit clinicians to assess the qualities/aptitude of the CNL student since they see them 20 hours a week for those 8 months.

Hi UVA Grad Nursing ~ I went over to your website and took a peek at your CNL program curriculum, which left me wondering if you happened to have a finance component in your program. I am asking about this, because I thought that part of the CNL role was to be able to show the financial impact of their recommendations for change. Please know that I am NOT a CNL expert by any stretch of the imagination, I only seek clarification for my own knowledge.

Additionally, I located this article from American Nurse Today that helps to clarify a little role confusion between the CNL and CNS. If there are folks out there who have a better grasp on the subject, please chime in.

Clinical nurse leaders and clinical nurse specialists: harmonious partners - American Nurse Today

I am presently enrolled in direct entry CNL program. I already plan on working at the bedside after graduation. I know that my degree my bestow me with a BSN but I will need actual work experience. Personally, I think my program in no different than direct entry NP programs. Yes, I know that I will not graduate with a specialization. However, new graduates of direct entry NP programs ( depending on the setup of the program) will never have worked as a RN much less as an NP ( outside of school based clinical hours). Does that mean they are not competent? Not necessarily, they just need clinical work experience. Right now CNL is the new kid on the block and there is a bit of fear, misunderstanding, and lack of information where it is concerned.

As a CNL I will not be a nurse manager or unit leader. I will simply be making sure that all the people in the health care team are working for the best favor of the patient and other roles. I know I want to work at the bedside and eventually I know I want to become an NP but I plan on honing my skills on the floor. I think direct entry CNL programs are great for those who do not know what specialization they wish to enter or simply do not want to enter a particular NP field so early in their career.

I am presently enrolled in direct entry CNL program. I already plan on working at the bedside after graduation. I know that my degree my bestow me with a BSN but I will need actual work experience. Personally, I think my program in no different than direct entry NP programs. Yes, I know that I will not graduate with a specialization. However, new graduates of direct entry NP programs ( depending on the setup of the program) will never have worked as a RN much less as an NP ( outside of school based clinical hours). Does that mean they are not competent? Not necessarily, they just need clinical work experience. Right now CNL is the new kid on the block and there is a bit of fear, misunderstanding, and lack of information where it is concerned.

As a CNL I will not be a nurse manager or unit leader. I will simply be making sure that all the people in the health care team are working for the best favor of the patient and other roles. I know I want to work at the bedside and eventually I know I want to become an NP but I plan on honing my skills on the floor. I think direct entry CNL programs are great for those who do not know what specialization they wish to enter or simply do not want to enter a particular NP field so early in their career.

Hi Accel - Congratulations on your career choice. I am also a CNL student; however, I have been an RN for many years. I am learning more and more about the CNL role, and I would STRONGLY recommend that you locate a local CNLA Chapter and get involved. Clinical Nurse Leader Association (CNLA)

I assume that the “BSN” degree is a typo because the AACN requires that the CNL education be within an MSN program in order to qualify to sit for the CNL exam.

As an aside, if your CNL program curriculum provides for the “Three P’s” (Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Physical Assessment), you should enjoy a seamless transition into an NP program for a “Post Masters Certificate Program.” From all the research that I have done for my personal information, I can share that I have learned that you should have (roughly) about 18-24 more credits to complete in your PMCP in order to graduate from an NP program. (18, in my case).

I would like to clarify one point in that, as a CNL; you will be a unit leader. Patient safety is your main priority. Although you may need to come up to speed on patient care activities, time management, and documentation specifics, you will be far ahead of the game. So don’t sell yourself short! You will be learning skills that all new grads need to learn as a general rule, but you will be learning them through the filter of a Masters Prepared Clinical Nurse Leader.

Yeah it is a typo I meant MSN. I will be completing those 3Ps. Thanks for the response

®Nurse

The finance component is covered in our Care Environment Management I & II classes. The course description for the second semester class is:

The course emphasizes the role of the Clinical Nurse Leader as a leader, educator, and advocate for safe, cost effective, and quality care. It examines active participation and communication strategies of the clinical nurse leader within the interdisciplinary system. Students develop competency in nursing informatics to monitor and improve organizational and clinical performance.

Hello AccelCNL,

Can you elaborate on, "However, new graduates of direct entry NP programs ( depending on the setup of the program) will never have worked as a RN much less as an NP ( outside of school based clinical hours). Does that mean they are not competent?"

I just can't imagine people graduating and passing the NCLEX and not work as an RN or NP.

thanks,

Joseph