Clinical Nurse Leader Career Overview

  • What You Will Do: Design, coordinate, and implement patient care, mentor nursing staff, integrate healthcare services, provide patient education, advocate for patients, evaluate patient outcomes, and more
  • Where Will You Work: healthcare clinics, hospitals, rehab facilities, correctional facilities and more.
  • Employment Projections: By 2026 nursing professions of any specialty are projected to increase by 16 percent.
  • How Much Will I Earn: CNLs are well paid earning between $88,000 and $120,000 every year.
  • Number of Programs: There are 120 CNL programs in the U.S.
  • How Long Does It Take to Become an CNL: Two years of master’s education in addition to bachelor’s degree is what you will need to be a CNL. An RN to MSN program is typically 2 years as well.
  • Requirements to Become One: As a CNL you need to have your RN license, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in nursing, and CNL certification.

Six Steps to Become a Clinical Nurse Leader

  1. Earn Your RN – Becoming an RN by finishing a nursing program through a CCNE or ACEN school is the first step. This will make master’s programs more likely to accept your credentials. Our BSN guide can help you figure out what type or program you should apply to.
  2. Pass The NCLEX-RN Exam – Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is mandatory for becoming an RN. This NCLEX-RN exam guide along with our practice tests are great tools to help you master exam day.
  3. Earn Your MSN – Your CNL program will include courses in leadership, quality improvement, pharmacology, health policy, evidence-based practice and more.
  4. Complete Supervised Clinical Hours – At minimum you must complete 400 hours of clinical/practice experience.
  5. Become Board Certified – You will need to get certified by taking the CNL exam administered through the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC).
  6. Maintain Active Certification – Renewing certification requires obtaining 50 continuing education (CE) credits during the 5-year renewal period. You must also maintain active RN and BLS licenses and provide proof of 2,000 hours of employment in a CNL role.

What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?

CNLs are master’s prepared nurses that primarily focus on improving the quality of care for patients. As a CNL you will be a leader in interdisciplinary collaboration for the entire healthcare team. You will work to integrate healthcare services to manage costs and ensure that evidence-based healthcare is being provided to patients. You will also be trained to investigate and identify areas that require quality improvement and will be a leader in the quality improvement processes. You will advocate for patients and ensure that they are receiving holistic patient centered care. Unlike a Clinical Nurse Specialist you will not specialize in a particular patient population. While it will be possible to for you to provide direct patient care, this will may not be a part of your job at all. The amount of direct clinical care you provide will depend on your specific job and the institution you work for. The impact that your work will have will help healthcare facilities and providers improve the care that they deliver to patient populations and ensure that their needs are being met. You will work directly with other nurses, laboratory personnel, pastoral staff, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse administrators and other staff members. As a CNL you will play a pivotal role in healthcare as the system continues to change in the coming years.

How Do I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader?

To be a CNL you will first need a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s in nursing. Even if you are not yet an RN you can enter a master’s program to become both an RN and CNL.

  • BSN to MSN: A master’s degree in nursing if you are already an RN will take 2 years.
  • Bachelors to MSN: Direct Entry Master’s programs enable you to become a nurse and a CNL if you have your bachelor’s in something other than nursing. These programs will provide you with the training and education that you need to sit for the NCLEX-RN Exam and become and RN. During this time, you will also receive the training and education you need to become a CNL.
  • BSN to DNP: If you wish to get your Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) and already have a BSN this will take about 4 years.
  • MSN to DNP: If you already have your master’s and are looking to advance your degree further a DNP program will be about 2-3 years long.

Certification and Licensure: You will have to take an exam as a CNL to become certified. The CNL certification exam proves that you have received the proper training and education to fulfill your job duties. In order to take the certification exam, you must have graduated from a CNL accredited program or be in the last semester of your program. In order to maintain your certification as a CNL you must earn 50 continuing education (CE) hours within the 5-year renewal period and pay the $130 fee. You must also provide proof of 2000 hours of employment in any of the following areas:

Aside from maintaining and active and unencumbered RN license, no other license is required for you to be a CNL.

Number of Clinical Nurse Leader Programs in the United States

About 120 CNL programs exist in the U.S. giving you plenty of options to choose from. Research CNL programs offered in your state or online.

List of Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Programs

University Offered asCity/State
University of the Incarnate Word Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSan Antonio, TX
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOshkosh, WI
Fairfield University Campus, HybridFairfield, CT
Saint Francis Medical Center – College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePeoria, IL
Cox College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSpringfield, MO
Otterbein Nursing Program (Otterbein University) Campus, HybridWesterville, OH
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Campus, HybridSan Antonio, TX
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Campus, Hybrid, OnlineMilwaukee, WI
Sacred Heart University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFairfield, CT
Saint Xavier University CampusChicago, IL
Research College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineKansas City, MO
University of Toledo Campus, Hybrid, OnlineToledo, OH
The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing Campus, OnlineGalveston, TX
California State University-San Marcos Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSan Marcos, CA
Southern Connecticut State University CampusNew Haven, CT
Saint Anthony College of Nursing Campus, HybridRockford, IL
MSU Bozeman College of Nursing Campus, HybridBozeman, MT
Walsh University Gary And Linda Byers School of Nursing Campus, HybridNorth Canton, OH
Texas Christian University CampusFort Worth, TX
Western Governors University Campus, OnlineSalt Lake City, UT
Georgetown University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWashington, DC
Oak Point University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOak Brook, IL
Creighton University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOmaha, NE
Wright State University-Main Campus Campus, Hybrid, OnlineDayton, OH
Texas Woman’s University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineDenton, TX
University of California-Los Angeles CampusLos Angeles, CA
University of Central Florida Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOrlando, FL
Ball State University Campus, OnlineMuncie, IN
University of Nevada-Reno Campus, HybridReno, NV
Xavier University Campus, OnlineCincinnati, OH
University of Vermont Campus, HybridBurlington, VT
Univ. of Louisiana Monroe Campus, Online, LA
University of Alabama at Birmingham Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBirmingham, AL
Florida Atlantic University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBoca Raton, FL
Grand View University CampusDes Moines, IA
Colby-Sawyer College Campus, OnlineNew London, NH
University of Portland Campus, HybridPortland, OR
George Mason University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFairfax, VA
University of Maryland-Baltimore Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBaltimore, MD
University of Alabama Campus, Hybrid, OnlineTuscaloosa, AL
University of Florida – Gainesville Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGainesville, FL
University of Iowa Campus, HybridIowa City, IA
University of New Hampshire (DEMN), Durham Campus, HybridDurham, NH
Drexel University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePhiladelphia, PA
James Madison University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHarrisonburg, VA
Central Methodist University Campus, MO
University of South Alabama Campus, OnlineMobile, AL
University of North Florida Campus, Hybrid, OnlineJacksonville, FL
University of Kansas Medical Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLawrence, KS
Seton Hall University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSouth Orange, NJ
La Salle University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePhiladelphia, PA
Virginia Commonwealth University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRichmond, VA
Saint Louis University Campus, Hybrid, Online, MO
Spring Hill College CampusMobile, AL
University of South Florida College of Nursing Campus, HybridTampa, FL
Washburn University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineTopeka, KS
The College of New Jersey Campus, HybridEwing, NJ
University of Pittsburgh Campus, OnlinePittsburgh, PA
University of Virginia Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCharlottesville, VA
Rutgers University SON Newark Campus, HybridNewark, NJ
University of Central Arkansas – Conway Campus, OnlineConway, AR
Valdosta State University Campus, HybridValdosta, GA
University of Southern Maine Campus, HybridPortland, ME
CUNY Hunter College Campus, HybridNew York, NY
Temple University Campus, HybridPhiladelphia, PA
Pacific Lutheran University Campus, HybridTacoma, WA
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOklahoma City, OK
California State University-Dominguez Hills Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCarson, CA
University of West Georgia Campus, OnlineCarrollton, GA
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Campus, OnlineAmherst, MA
University of Rochester School of Nursing Campus, HybridRochester, NY
University of Rhode Island Campus, Hybrid, OnlineKingston, RI
Seattle Pacific University CampusSeattle, WA
Moravian College Campus, HybridBethlehem, PA
Dominican University of California CampusSan Rafael, CA
Idaho State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePocatello, ID
Regis College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWeston, MA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChapel Hill, NC
Lander University Campus, OnlineGreenwood, SC
University of Washington CampusSeattle, WA
Texas State University San Marcos and St. David School of Nursing Campus, HybridSan Marcos, TX
University of San Diego/Hahn CampusSan Diego, CA
Elmhurst University CampusElmhurst, IL
University of Detroit Mercy CampusDetroit, MI
University of North Carolina at Pembroke CampusPembroke, NC
University of South Carolina-Upstate Campus, OnlineSpartanburg, SC
Columbia-Mt. Mary (Columbia College of Nursing) CampusGlendale, WI
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies Campus, OnlineFayette, MO
University of San Francisco Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSan Francisco, CA
University of Illinois at Chicago Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChicago, IL
Oakland University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRochester Hills, MI
Queens University of Charlotte CampusCharlotte, NC
South Dakota State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBrookings, SD
Marquette University Campus, HybridMilwaukee, WI
Augusta University CampusAugusta, GA
University of Northern Colorado Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGreeley, CO
Mennonite Nursing at Illinois State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineNormal, IL
Saginaw Valley State University Campus, HybridUniversity Center, MI
Cleveland State University Campus, OnlineCleveland, OH
East Tennessee State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineJohnson City, TN
Viterbo College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLa Crosse, WI
University of Connecticut-Storrs Campus Campus, HybridStorrs, CT
Millikin University Campus, OnlineDecatur, IL
University of Minnesota Campus, HybridMinneapolis, MN
The Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus) Campus, Hybrid, OnlineColumbus, OH
Tennessee Technological University Campus, OnlineCookeville, TN

Where Do Clinical Nurse Leaders Typically Work?

As a CNL you will have the opportunity to work wherever patients are cared for and where there is a need for quality improvement and enhancement of healthcare delivery. This can include hospital settings and primary care facilities. It is also possible for you to work in specialty clinics such as rehab facilities, occupational health settings, research facilities, prisons and more.

How Much Do Clinical Nurse Leaders Earn?

Your salary may vary slightly depending on your work location and experience level. Overall, you can expect to make between $88,000 and $120,000. If you have more experience and work in an urban area you are more likely to earn a higher salary than someone working in a rural area with little experience. Additionally, pay may vary between hospitals and private clinics. If you have taken out loans as a part of receiving your education, you have the option to get those paid for through loan forgiveness programs. If you work in medically underserved areas you may also be eligible for programs such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program or the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program which will help you repay your debt after a certain time commitment working in that area. Perkins Loans may also be eligible for forgiveness. Check out our state by state guides to see what benefits your state may offer you.

Online Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

Online CNL programs provide you with a bit more flexibility when pursuing your advanced nursing degree. These programs are designed with the busy adult in mind and offer online classes and coursework. Some of the programs are fully online while others (hybrid programs) offer a mix of online and in class experiences. This will enable you to continue with your life commitments while working towards becoming a CNL. Many people forgo an advanced degree due to the time commitment and lack of flexibility in programs. Online programs will also help you organize your clinical or practice experiences in a convenient area with a CNL who is willing and prepared to train you.

What is a Typical Clinical Nurse Leader Curriculum?

Curriculum can vary by university but in general all CNL programs will have core courses that resemble those offered at Ohio State University:

  • Innovation Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Quality Improvement and Informatics
  • Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan
  • Health Policy and Advocacy
  • Evidence-Based Nursing Scholarship

Clinical Nurse Leader Resources

Denisco, S. M., Barker, A. M., (2016). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession. Burlington, MA: Jones and Barlett Learning.

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