- 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: Entrepreneurs | Marguerite Rowell
Nurse leader and entrepreneur Marguerite Rowell saw a persistent gap in healthcare firsthand: nurses stepping into leadership roles without the financial tools they’re expected to manage. She shares how that challenge inspired her to build NurseMath, a mobile app designed to put essential financial insights directly into the hands of other nurse leaders. Listen as Marguerite makes the case that nurses aren’t just caregivers—they are creators and problem-solvers shaping the future of healthcare. -
Nurses Are: Team Players | Jaden Dennis
Former Division I athlete Jaden Dennis knows that no race—or shift—is won alone. In this episode, this ER nurse shares how lessons from track shaped his approach to nursing teamwork, where trust, timing, and quiet handoffs make all the difference. Listen as Jaden reflects on how strong nursing teams are built in small moments, why supporting one another matters most in high‑stakes care, and what it truly means to show up for your team when it counts. -
Nurses Are: Catalysts | Rachell Dumas
Nurse informaticist and health tech founder Rachell Dumas is empowering patients within the healthcare system. In this episode, she shares how nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize where care breaks down—and how she designed HEARD to give patients the language, tools, and confidence to advocate for themselves in real time. Listen as Rachell reframes nurses as catalysts for meaningful system-level change.
