WHERE are the CNL's??????

[misssrblake]

I was recently accepted into a CNL program over Christamas and I havent been able to contact any advisors at the school since it was the holiday. I would LOVE to get some input for CNLs I'm in desperate need of advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elkpark]

While the CNL role has been very clearly defined academically, it has yet to be really integrated into hospital systems yet. I think there's still a lot of uncertainty and suspicion around yet ANOTHER type of nurse, but it makes a lot of sense to me for my personal career goals.

I believe that part of the issue is that this role was invented in academia, without there being any great outcry from hospitals, etc., that there was a perceived need for an MSN-prepared nurse at the bedside. I think the "uncertainty and suspicion" is because most hospitals and other healthcare employers don't feel they have any particular use or need for the CNL.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

In my area, "CNL" is the new name for charge nurse. Many hospitals use this term for charge nurses, without regard for their education. Most CNLs I've seen have ADNs.

[LeLeeFNP]

what is the difference between a CNL and a CNS. A CNS is an advanced practiced nurse right? I thought they could prescribe meds and everything if they decide to get their APNP but i am not sure what a CNL is or does.

[Music in My Heart]

In my area, "CNL" is the new name for charge nurse. Many hospitals use this term for charge nurses, without regard for their education. Most CNLs I've seen have ADNs.

That's unfortunate because CNL is a certification attained through specific education and examination. It's actually a registered trademark.

[ukstudent]

What even more unfortunate is that academia chose that name for an entry level RN with a masters. How anyone can be a clinical leader without any clinical experence is beyond me and I think most hospitals.

The hospital I now work for has a Clininal Care Facilitator position. It reads almost the same as the white papers description of a CNL, however a new grad CNL is NOT qualified for it. You must have at least 3 years experence in that specific area of nursing.

[elkpark]

What even more unfortunate is that academia chose that name for an entry level RN with a masters. How anyone can be a clinical leader without any clinical experence is beyond me and I think most hospitals.

The hospital I now work for has a Clininal Care Facilitator position. It reads almost the same as the white papers description of a CNL, however a new grad CNL is NOT qualified for it. You must have at least 3 years experence in that specific area of nursing.

Yes, I believe one issue that many of us (individuals) have with the "CNL" concept is that the official description of the role sounds an awful lot like what any experienced, motivated bedside nurse has always done (with a few extra "leadership" and stats courses tacked on to justify it being a graduate degree).

(BTW, the hospital system for which I work also refers officially to all unit nurse managers as "clinical leaders" (and has for a long time), and I guarantee you none of them are educated or certified as CNLs).

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

That's unfortunate because CNL is a certification attained through specific education and examination. It's actually a registered trademark.

Keeping the trademark issue in mind, I just went and looked at job listings for this type of position at a few hospitals in my state. They are listed on HR websites as "Clinical Leader." However, their ID badges have three large bold-print letters, "CNL." Leave it to private industry to take an idea from academia and then leave academia out of the equation!