- 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.
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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
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Stories about nurse leading innovation
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Nurses Are: Role Models | Jester Lloyd Bautista
Jester Lloyd Bautista is a nurse educator whose work centers on developing and supporting future nurses. From teaching young nurses in the Philippines to leading a pathway program in the U.S., he has seen how helping one nurse think critically can create a ripple effect that impacts countless patients and families. In this episode, Jester reflects on building the support he once wished for and why serving as a role model for future nurses isn’t just leadership—it’s responsibility. Listen in to hear how investing in nurses can transform the profession from the inside out. -
Nurse voices
Hear directly from nurses at the Magnet & Pathway conference who embody each of these roles. Listen as they share candid reflections and their lived experiences with the SEE YOU NOW podcast team. -
Nurses Are: Innovators | Robyn Barriffe
Robyn Barriffe didn’t set out to become a nurse—but over two decades of leading health systems, she’s developed a clear philosophy: the organization itself is the patient. Robyn reflects on treating quality, engagement, and experience as vital signs, and how her work as a Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellow introduced a framework nurses have been missing. Listen as she shares how combining human-centered design with leadership training can help nurse leaders solve real problems from the inside out.
