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Our commitment to nursing

For more than 125 years, Johnson & Johnson has been proud to advocate for, elevate, and empower the nursing profession, as we know that nurses are the backbone of health care.

Why be a nurse?

A career in nursing is one of the most exciting and rewarding occupations. Nurses provide vital hands-on patient care, but that’s not all they do. They are leaders, innovators, educators, change makers helping improve access to care.

Career advice and inspiration

When new ideas can save lives, nurse innovators need support to move from bedside to boardroom. Their firsthand experience helps them identify patient needs and shape the future of healthcare, as seen in stories from leaders inspiring the next generation.

Why specialize as a nurse?

Once you’re a Registered Nurse you can take your career in so many new directions by specializing in an area you really enjoy.

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    1. Nursing/
    2. Nursing specialties/
    3. 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.

    Required education
    MSN
    Average annual salary
    $92,000
    red icon of directional signpost to represent the concept of varied nursing specialty career attribute
    Varied
    Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
    red icon of group of persona figures to represent the concept of managerial nursing specialty career attribute
    Managerial
    Oversee other nurses and help improve healthcare for all.
    red icon of laboratory beaker to represent the concept of research-oriented nursing specialty career attribute
    Research-oriented
    Analyze data and discover new ways to help patients.
    red icon of two persona figures to represent the concept of patient-facing nursing specialty career attribute
    Patient-facing
    Work hands-on, directly with patients.
    red icon showing workflow diagram to represent the concept of structured nursing specialty career attribute
    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.
    A group of medical professionals gathered around a laptop talking in a hospital setting

    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

    Related nursing specialties

    Stories about nurse leading innovation

    • May 2026 issue: Spotlighting nurse impact during National Nurses Month

      In the May issue of Notes on Nursing, we’re celebrating National Nurses Month by honoring the many ways nurses show up, lead, and shape the future of care. From bold innovations and new ideas to the everyday impact at the bedside and beyond, this issue spotlights the voices, stories, and solutions driving meaningful change across healthcare. Plus, applications for a new NurseHack4Health Pitch-A-Thon, now open!
    • 133: Ethics in motion

      The nursing profession is at a crossroads, facing a projected shortage of over 100,000 registered nurses, rising burnout, and the rapid integration of AI into clinical care. In this episode of SEE YOU NOW, the co-chairs behind the newly revised ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses join nurses from the frontlines to explore how the profession’s ethical compass is being reimagined for a more complex, demanding world.
    • AI in play

      The “AI in Play” series from Johnson & Johnson’s SEE YOU NOW podcast explores how artificial intelligence is being applied in healthcare to support clinicians—especially nurses—and improve patient care. Through conversations with healthcare leaders, technologists, and frontline providers, the series highlights real-world examples of AI tools that streamline administrative work, enhance clinical decision-making, and expand access to care. A key theme throughout the episodes is that AI should augment human expertise rather than replace it, enabling care teams to spend less time on routine tasks and more time focusing on meaningful patient interactions. Listen to all the episodes below.