MSN Program for the Non-Nurse - CNL

Master of Science in Nursing in Clinical Nurse Leader

A clinical nurse leader is (CNL) is a masters' prepared nurse generalist who assumes accountability for the healthcare outcomes of a specific group of patients within a unit or setting through the assimilation and application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate patient outcomes at the point of care. The emerging role of the CNL is a national initiative in response to patient care needs and the current health delivery environments. The CNL is a provider and a manager of care. S/he designs, implements, and evaluates care by coordinating , delegating, and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians, and other health professionals.

Program Objectives
Upon completion of the program the graduate will be able to:

1. Design, coordinate and evaluate care to individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations,; understand the rationale for care and competently deliver this care to an increasingly complex and diverse population in multiple environments.
2. Provide care at the point of care to individuals across the lifespan with particular emphasis on health promotion and risk reduction services.
3. Synthesize date, information, and knowledge to evaluate and achieve optimal client outcomes.
4. Ensure that clients, families, and communities are well-informed and included in care planning and is an informed leader for improving care.
5. Advocate for the client by taking action if decisions or activities are against the wished or interests of the client; give the client the opportunity to make informed decisions about health care before it is provided. Serve as an advocate for the profession and the interdisciplinary health care team.
6. Use appropriate teaching principles and strategies as well as current information, materials, and technologies to teach clients, groups, and other health care professionals under their supervision.
7. Use information systems and technology that put knowledge at the point of care to improve health care outcomes.
8. Participate in systems review to improve quality of client care delivery and at the individual level to critically evaluate and anticipate risks to client safety with the aim of preventing medical error.
9. Delegate and manage the nursing team resources (human and fiscal) and serve as a leader and partner in the interdisciplinary health care team.
10. Assume accountability for the ongoing acquisition of knowledge and skills to effect change in health care practice and outcomes and in the profession.

Pre-requisites to the Master's Entry Option and Clinical Nurse Leader Degree Programs for the Non-nurse Only

The CNL program for the non-nurse is open to students who have a non-nurse baccalaureate degree (or higher). The following courses or their equivalent are required before entering the program:

Curriculum Pattern for the Non-Nurse

Frequently Asked Questions about the Clinical Nurse Leader degree program

What is the Clinical Nurse Leader?

The Clinical Nurse Leader or CNL is a new nursing role that was developed by AACN in collaboration with an array of leaders from the practice environment. Two AACN task forces were convened to identify (1) how to improve the quality of patient care and (2) how to best prepare nurses with the competencies needed to thrive in the current and future health care system. The CNL role emerged following research and discussion with stakeholders as a way to engage highly skilled clinicians in outcomes-based practice and quality improvement strategies.

What does a Clinical Nurse Leader do?

The CNL oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This clinical leader puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL collects and evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. This clinician functions as part of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. The CNL role is not one of administration or management. The CNL is a leader in the health care delivery system across all settings in which health care is delivered, not just the acute care setting. Implementation of this role will vary across settings. The CNL role is fully described in AACN's Working Paper on the Role of the Clinical Nurse Leader which may be accessed online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/WhitePapers/ClinicalNurseLeader.htm.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program Description

Is the Clinical Nurse Leader needed in the health care system?

The need for the Clinical Nurse Leader was confirmed through discussions between AACN and health care leaders. These nurse executives stated that this role has emerged in the practice setting and is being further developed on an ad hoc basis. Individuals to fill this role are recruited opportunistically based on available clinicians with appropriate education and experience, personal characteristics, and self-selection. In addition, reports released by the Institute of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Hospital Association all cited the need to make changes in the health care delivery and education of health professionals to improve patient outcomes.

What is the educational preparation of a Clinical Nurse Leader?

The CNL is a generalist clinician with education at the master's degree level. Graduate education is necessary because the CNL must bring a high level of clinical competence and knowledge to the point of care and to serve as a resource for the nursing team. The master's degree with a major in nursing will prepare graduates for a generalist role.

How is a Clinical Nurse Leader different from a Clinical Nurse Specialist or other advanced practice nurse?

The CNL is not prepared as an advanced practice nurse (APN) as currently defined. The CNL is a generalist in contrast with the specialized focus of the practice by clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and nurse practitioners. Advanced practice nurses are prepared with specialist education in a defined area of practice. The CNL and APN roles complement one another. For example, the CNL may call on the CNS to provide consultation when a specialist area of concern arises (i.e. when a patient does not respond to nursing care or therapeutics as expected). AACN is in discussion with the advanced practice community to clearly differentiate these nursing roles.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)