Clinical Nurse Leader Graduate Program (CNL)
The Clinical Nurse Leader is a new nursing role developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in collaboration with leaders from the education and practice arenas. AACN is advancing the CNL to improve the quality of patient care and to better prepare nurses to thrive in the health care system. The CNL role emerged following research and discussion with stakeholder groups as a way to engage highly skilled clinicians in outcomes-based practice and quality improvement.*
At the University of Utah College of Nursing, the CNL is a program of study leading to a Master's Degree in Nursing. The CNL Master's Degree may be thought of as similar to an MBA. While an organization does not usually have a job description for an "MBA," the masters of business administration may be an education requirement for a variety of job positions throughout the organization. Likewise with the CNL. An RN educated with a master's degree in nursing specializing as a Clinical Nurse Leaser is prepared with a knowledge and skill set that may be used and implemented in various ways and settings within health services organizations. The CNL is a practicing registered nurse in Utah and not an advanced practice registered nurse as defined by the Utah State Board of Nursing. Those graduates of the CNL Master's Program are eligible for national certification as a Certified Clinical Nurse Leader. Many institutions have already implemented a formal role called CNL as well as utilize CNL prepared nurses in other roles such as case managers, patient navigators and quality specialists.
What does a CNL do? In practice, the CNL oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. This Master's degree-prepared clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. The CNL evaluated patient outcomes, assesses cohort rish, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. The CNL is a leader in the health care delivery system, and the implementationof this role will vary across settings.
"The CNL assumes accountability for client care outcomes through assimilation and appliation of research-based information to design, implement, evaluate (and improve) plans of care."*
What knowledge and skills does the Clinical Nurse Leader require? The CNL is expert in the "provision of evidence-based practice, participation and identification of care outcomes, accountability for evaluation and improvement of point-of-care outcomes, team managment and collaboration with other health team professionals, development and leveraging of human, environmental and material resources and lateral integration of care for a specified group of patients."*
How do I know which positions in my organization would benefit from CNL education? Because the CNL is a very new educational program here in Utah, the University of Utah College of Nursing is committed to working with our CNL students' employers to provide consultation in crafting the design and implementation of roles for CNL students that will best meet the needs of their organizations and patient populations.
In order to meet the required competencies of The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, students must complete 13 hours Master's Core + 23.5 hours CNL Core + 6 hours Clinical Options for a total of 42.5 credit hours. Within this framework, students may customize their program of study under the direction of their specialty director. Full time and part time study options are available.
Graduates of the CNL Master's Program will be prepared and qualified to sit for the National CNL Certification Exam. http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNC/about.htm
*As defined by the AACN, http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/ and then click on AACN Board Endorses White Paper on the Education and Role of the Clinical Nurse Leaser.
Program Director/Contact:
Diane Kelly, DrPH, MBA, RN, CNL
Associate Professor (Clinical)
Director, Clinical Nurse Leader Program
University of Utah College of Nursing
diane.kelly@nurs.utah.edu
801-585-9611
