Become a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – Degree, Licensure & Salary
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“Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) are the glue that holds and binds healthcare together. They are your point person. The public should push to ensure everyone has access to a CNL, and magnet designation should require CNLs to be in leadership positions because CNLs provide efficient and cost-effective patient care and the leadership needed to repair fragmented care delivery across settings.”
Safa’a Al-Arabi, PhD, Associate Professor and Clinical Nurse Leader Track Coordinator, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) are vital in the healthcare system by effectively utilizing resources, improving patient outcomes, and leading interprofessional teams. These nurses bridge the gap between direct bedside care and administrative decision-making, allowing for a holistic approach to patient care. By staying current on evidence-based practices and collaborating with other healthcare professionals, CNLs can improve patient satisfaction and overall healthcare outcomes. As healthcare evolves, CNLs will become more crucial in ensuring quality and efficient patient care.
The role of a CNL is relatively new and was first introduced in 2004 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). This role was developed with two purposes in mind. The first was to improve the quality of patient care, and the second was to better prepare nurses to thrive in the current healthcare ecosystem. According to the AACN, “this clinician functions as part of an interprofessional team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners.”
CNLs work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes by coordinating care and overseeing the work of other nurses. To become a CNL, students must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing and obtain an RN license. They will also need to complete an eligible master’s degree or post-master’s certificate CNL program, which typically takes two to three years. After completing the program, candidates can take the national CNL certification exam. Once they have passed the exam, they can use the CNL credential after their name.
Use the guide below to learn more about becoming a CNL, including details on certification and licensing.
Meet the Expert: Safa’a Al-Arabi, PhD
Dr. Safa’a Al-Arabi is an associate professor and clinical nurse leader track coordinator at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She earned her PhD from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, an MSN in nursing education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and both an MPH and BSN from the University of Science and Technology in Jordan. She is a certified clinical nurse leader and has also obtained an online teaching certificate from the UTMB School of Nursing.
Throughout her career, Dr. Al-Arabi has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to nursing education. She was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award for the MSN Program in 2020 and received the Good Samaritan Foundation Award in 2019. Her dedication to teaching excellence is further evidenced by her repeated recognition as Outstanding Faculty for the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program in multiple years.
NursingColleges.com: What do you wish the public understood about clinical nurse leaders?
Dr. Al-Arabi: Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) are the glue that holds and binds healthcare together. They are your point person. The public should push to ensure everyone has access to a CNL, and magnet designation should require CNLs to be in leadership positions because CNLs provide efficient and cost-effective patient care and the leadership needed to repair fragmented care delivery across settings.
The public should know that CNLs are differentiated through their position at the point of care (their microsystem), but the purpose is clearly defined by the outcomes they achieve. CNLs aim to optimize patient care by improving communication and teamwork to impact care outcomes. You will get better patient outcomes because a CNL puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery.
Also, a CNL is a professional advocate for holistic, defragmented, patient-centered care at the microsystemic, organizational, and political levels of healthcare practice.
NursingColleges.com: What advice would you give to aspiring clinical nurse leadership students?
Dr. Al-Arabi: Sometimes it is hard, and sometimes you want to quit. But you will make a difference through incremental change that will impact the lives of thousands by working across the continuum of care. CNLs add value by improving patient outcomes, preventing hospital-acquired conditions, and reducing unnecessary readmissions and costs.
Also, remember that the success of the CNL role can be measured by improvement in clinical and financial costs related to the care of specific patient populations. The CNL is a highly skilled clinician focusing on outcome-based practice and quality improvement. As a CNL, you will be prepared with the knowledge and skills focused on quality improvement, leadership, care coordination, interprofessional communication, evidence-based practice, change processes, and population risk assessment. Knowing this will keep you going on hard days.
Embody lifelong learning and recognize there is always more to learn and ways to improve yourself, your environment, and your profession.
How to Become a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
Becoming a CNL requires education, work experience, certification, and licensure. Each step is critical in preparing a candidate for this important patient-centric role.
The first step to becoming a CNL is to become a registered nurse (RN). To do so, aspiring CNLs must first complete high school or earn a GED, which is required for admission to most nursing programs. Students should focus on math, science, and health classes to help prepare them for additional studies. After earning a diploma or GED, the next step is to apply for a general nursing program.
Students can complete either an associate of science in nursing (ASN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). These general education nursing programs will prepare graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam, which is required in all 50 states for licensure. Once a graduate passes the exam, they can apply to their state nursing board for a registered nurse license and pursue entry-level work as an RN.
After gaining critical early career work experience, an aspiring clinical nurse leader must complete a Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) approved master’s degree in clinical nurse leadership. These degrees are offered online or in person, preparing RNs to take on leadership roles. After earning the degree, graduates are eligible to sit for the CNL certification exam offered by the CNC.
What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Do?
A CNL works anywhere a registered nurse may work. This includes hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and acute care. The place of employment, patient population, and title will determine day-to-day duties for CNLs, but typical responsibilities can include:
- Coordinating interdisciplinary healthcare teams
- Analyzing patient data and identifying areas for improvement
- Developing and implementing evidence-based clinical protocols and guidelines
- Facilitating communication between healthcare providers, administrators, and patients
- Developing educational materials for clinical staff
- Assisting patients as the transition care
- Performing risk assessments
How Much Do Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL) Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not include data on CNLs, but the compensation aggregate website Salary.com (2024) tracks salaries for CNLs and reports that, on average, CNLs earn $126,265 per year. The salary range typically falls between $114,210 and $139,556.
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Licensure and Certification Requirements
CNL Licensing
All CNLs must be licensed registered nurses to practice. Each state licensing board has its requirements to obtain licensure. Typical requirements include:
- Complete a general nursing education program; this degree must be accredited or approved by the state or be substantially similar
- Pass a drug screening and background check
- Sit for and obtain a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam
- Fill out an application
- Pay applicable licensing and application fees
- Attest to a good moral character or answer questions about
CNL Certifications and Eligibility
To be a designated CNL, nurses must earn the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification through the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC). It is possible to work in a CNL role without this certification. To qualify for this credential, aspiring CNLs must have a qualifying master’s degree or post-master’s certificate.
However, earning an official CNL certification demonstrates a high level of competency in this role and can help with employment or advancement opportunities. Candidates must have completed or be in their final semester of an eligible CNL program to be eligible to sit for this exam.
CNL Certification Renewal
CNL certifications must be renewed every five years. To renew, certificate holders must:
- Pay a renewal fee
- Have a current, active, and unencumbered RN license in the state where they practice
- Adhere to the CNC standards of conduct
- Attest to 2,000 of employment in the past years
- Complete 50 hours of continuing education coursework
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterThanks to her experience writing in healthcare, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth articles on timely topics for NursingColleges.com since 2022. Her aim is to assist both students and professionals in navigating the intricate process of selecting a nursing program and understanding the ever-evolving realm of nursing education.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.