I found it!

All that talk about role options and finding the right one for you and not being pigeon-holed into a role that wasn’t the right fit? Well, if you hold out for what you know is right, you will find it.

Clinical Nurse Leader.

This is a very new nursing role. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) published the White Paper on the Education and Role of the Clinical Nurse Leader  in February of 2007.  Five years later, you can apply to MSN programs with a CNL track.

I’ve never seen anything in nursing move that fast. Ever.

So what is a Clinical Nurse Leader? Let me condense that forty page White Paper:  a Clinical Nurse Leader, in addition to being a direct care provider, by understanding and utilizing research-based knowledge, “designs, implements, and evaluates client care by coordinating, delegating and supervising the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians and other health professionals.” (AACN, 2007)

This role is so versatile. You are not limited to one specialty or one practice environment. You are not limited to one age group. You are not limited at all. You are not a manager, yet you manage laterally. You are not an “Educator” but yeah, you are an educator! In fact, it is a major component of the role. You are not an advanced practice nurse (APN), and yet you are practicing nursing  as an advanced generalist. You practice autonomously, yet  the focus of the role is on interdisciplinary teamwork.

Find your inner geek, because you will  incorporate technology as fast as it’s developed. You’ve always been a patient advocate, but expect to advocate for the nursing profession as well.  And no hiding behind “I can’t make heads or tails of all this health care reform business!” A Clinical Nurse Leader makes heads and tails of it and works to make sure disparities are addressed and vulnerable populations are not left behind.

Are you excited yet?

The Clinical Nurse Leader leads anywhere in the health care system. They function at the microsystems level, “providing lateral integration of care services…to effect quality, client care outcomes.” (AACN, 2007) These healthcare microsystems can be anywhere: a doctor’s office, the community, a school, a skilled nursing facility, a shelter, anywhere healthcare is provided. And, this is important, the CNL is accountable for the care outcomes of the populations in the healthcare systems in which they practice.

I’m only scratching the surface here in this post, but I was so stoked after reading the white paper, I could hardly stand it. This profession has been arguing what constitutes an entry level education for over fifty years. In less than five years, it has managed to come to a consensus on what constitutes the education needed for an advanced generalist role and there are programs up and running.

That’s impressive. It tells me the AACN hit a nerve center and there is a need that is being filled.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading over to the home page of the site, I’ve got some research to do on a few CNL programs!

(Comments can be left on Twitter with the hashtag #MiNchat)

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American Association Of Colleges Of Nursing (2007, February). White paper on the education and role of the Clinical Nurse Leader.