Identify the educational preparation and role(s) of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) designation. Give an example of how the CNL influences direct patient care whether in a hospital or out in the community.
Clinical nurse leader (CNL) was proposed American Association of Colleges of Nursing, an effort to improve patient safety and quality of care . CNL is a generalist clinician who have education at master's degree level or higher (Graduate Nursing Edu.org), upon graduation must sit for Clinical Nurse Leader Certification Examination by the Commission on Nurse Certification (University of Pittsburgh).
A CNL has an advanced knowledge, not just in one area or discipline, but on general medicine, which is helpful for coordinating the care provided by the interdisciplinary teams.
CNL has roles different from other advanced practice clinicians, they are responsible for designing patient care, implementing, and evaluating the care provided to the patients, making sure that the patients receive the right care, while coordinating, delegating, and supervising the care provided by other health care teams clinically.
CNL can influence patient care by the use evidence-based practice and the latest innovated technology to improve patients' care, they work with physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and other health care teams to provide the most effective medical care . It is important to know that CNL serve as mentors to nursing staff, oversee the environment to ensure it is safe for the patients.
CNL can act like a patient's advocate; they serve as a middle person between the patients and they physicians or healthcare providers. For example, a patient in the community who is not sure what and where to go for help, a CNL would use his/her expertise to inform or teach the patients and family members, the disease condition, and its management, and refer them to the appropriate places for best care.
References
Graduate Nursing Edu.org. (2017) Retrieved on October 2nd.
University of Pittsburgh (2017) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).