Dear editor,
It was with great interest that I read your May/June article titled "Strategies for Pursuing a Master's Degree." I would like to point out a serious omission.
The authors failed to mention the master's of science in nursing, clinical nurse leader (MSN-CNL) as an educational option for master's education or as a role in nursing or the health care system.
EDUCATION OF THE CNL
The CNL, the first new role in nursing in over 30 years, was introduced by the American Association of Colleges in Nursing (AACN) in 2003. The AACN published a white paper on CNL education in 2007 and released the CNL competencies and curriculum expectations for education and practice document in 2013. Currently, there are over 130 schools of nursing in the United States offering this education. Although most MSN-CNLs are being prepared in accelerated direct entry programs, 4 other CNL education paths are available. Through these 5 educational pathways, nurses are learning the core competencies of the CNL, which center on the functions of nursing leadership, clinical outcomes management, and care environment management.
ROLE OF THE CNL
The CNL has been described as a leader whose purpose it is to improve processes of care to improve quality and safety in patient care. CNLs collaborate with all members of the health care team, and thus, their role embraces a redesign of health care delivery and provides the needed leadership to improve and sustain quality and safety initiatives. The CNL role fills a void in the health care system and allows nurses to advocate for and lead change.
SPECIALTY OF THE CNL
Although the CNL is not an advanced practice role, I would argue that the CNL does have a specialty function within the health care system. The specialty of the CNL is care coordination and quality improvement. The role continues to evolve to meet the demands of a changing and complex health care system. The contributions of the CNL are being recognized, particularly in the realm of fiscal responsibility. Improvements in the processes of care, led by CNLs, have been shown to increase quality, safety, and efficiency and thus save scarce financial resources. Chief nurse executives and health care administrators should be encouraged to redesign health care delivery models to include the CNL role.
CNL RESOURCES
1. AACN CNL Web site: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/about.
2. CNL white paper: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/white-papers/ClinicalNurseLeader.pdf.
3. CNL competencies and curricular expectations: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/white-papers/cnl.
4. CNL education pathways and programs: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/implementation-and-curriculum.
5. CNL certification program: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/cnl/cnc.
Thank you, and please help us spread the word about this exciting and unique role in nursing.