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- 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
Embracing AI in healthcare: preparing nurses for the future of clinical practice
A new resource from the Duke University School of Nursing is empowering nurses to make artificial intelligence (AI) an ally in their nursing practice. Nurse and Associate Professor Michael Cary, PhD, RN, FAAN emphasizes the importance of training and educating nurses for practice in the era of AI and how to use it to best benefit patients.
Actionable solutions to improve the nursing experience and patient care
Through an action network created by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement and Johnson & Johnson Foundation, with the support of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, five nurse-led teams piloted acute care delivery solutions to support and empower a thriving nursing workforce. Across three phases and 22 months, here’s what they found – and how health systems nationwide can implement their learnings.
Leading the charge: 10 nurse-led solutions for happier nurses and healthier patients
From workplace violence to workforce shortages, health systems face many daunting challenges – and just as many opportunities. Through the Nurse Innovation Fellowship Program by Johnson & Johnson, powered by Penn Nursing and the Wharton School, nursing leaders are immersed in the innovation process to redefine the future of patient care and professional well-being by tackling a real problem at their health systems. Below, discover ten groundbreaking approaches presented by the 2023/2024 Fellowship cohort, and learn how nurse leaders are trailblazing a path toward a brighter, more sustainable healthcare system.