- Nursing
- Nursing specialties
- Clinical nurse leader
Clinical nurse leader
A clinical nurse leader creates and coordinates long-term care plans for patients and the medical teams they work with.
- X (Twitter)
Copy link
Required education
MSN
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Managerial
Oversee other nurses and help improve healthcare for all.
Research-oriented
Analyze data and discover new ways to help patients.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
What is the role of a clinical nurse leader?
You’ll focus on improving the quality of patient care by evaluating results and finding ways to introduce the most effective new treatments.
What you’ll do as a clinical nurse leader
Evaluation
You’ll determine the relevance of the latest medical and technological developments.
Management
You’ll oversee and coordinate a patient’s medical team.
Treatment
You’ll prepare long-term care plans for patients.
Where you’ll work as a clinical nurse leader
Clinical nurse leaders work in a variety of settings, including:
- Medical colleges
- Private clinics
- Research facilities
How to become a clinical nurse leader
Get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.
Get your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with advanced courses in Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment and Pharmacology.
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offers advanced courses that will help you develop new skills and move into specialized roles.
Get your Clinical Nurse Leadership Certification from the Commission on Nurse Certifications.
You’re ready to work as a clinical nurse leader!
Clinical nurse leader career resources
Become a member of a clinical nurse leader organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Clinical Nurse Leader Association
Clinical Nurse Leader Association
Related nursing specialties
-
Genetics nurse
A genetics nurse works with people who either have, or are at risk for hereditary diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. -
Quality improvement nurse
A quality improvement nurse helps improve the quality of care that nurses provide in a hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Stories about nurse leading innovation
-
Equip nurses with leadership and innovation skills
For healthcare to work, it takes nurses. Nursing burnout, turnover, and vacancy rates especially in acute care and hospital settings continue to be an issue for many health systems. Understanding what kind of work environment is important to nurses is the first step toward addressing the foundational issues that can cause them to leave. Through programs that focus on innovation and leadership skills, we can help support more nurse-led solutions that can transform health systems and create environments where nurses and patients can thrive. -
Champion nursing as an innovative, high-impact, purpose-driven career
Nurses are the backbone and heart of health care, and nursing has been recognized as the most trusted profession in a Gallup poll for over 20 years. Yet we know that the impact of nurses in health care remains undervalued, and the expertise of nurses is underutilized. That is why Johnson & Johnson is a passionate advocate for elevating awareness of the fundamental value of the nursing profession. See how we support and advocate for the value of the nursing profession with these resources. -
Connect nurses to clinical and educational resources
Whether you are early in your career path and don’t know where to start, or ready to pick a nursing specialty or advance your career, there are several tools, resources, and on-demand programs that can help support you through your career journey while advancing your capabilities to deliver quality patient care.
