The nurse is reading the latest job posting at her place of employment:

Question

Position Description; Clinical Nurse Leader: In this position the nurse is responsible for client care outcomes according to evidence-based practice. Familiar with research approaches, literature searches, and creation of care maps and standardized care plans is required.
What additional information about this position should the nurse obtain before completing an application for consideration?
1. Educational preparation needed
2. Areas of clinical expertise required
3. Expectation to be certified by the ANCC
4. Years of experience required as a manager
5. Number of years of nursing experience required

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 3

An initiative from AACN has addressed the need for master's preparation in point of care leadership; this is the clinical nurse leader (CNL) role. The AACN released a "White Paper on the Role of the Clinical Nurse Leader" (2007) calling for the development of a collaborative effort between practice institutions and educational institutions to create this role. The role was not conceived of as one of administration or management, but one that would assume accountability for client care outcomes using evidence-based practice to design, implement, and evaluate client plans of care. This role was conceived of as an advanced generalist rather than a specialty practice like that of the CNS. The common goal was quality patient care outcomes. AACN updated the competencies and the curricular expectations for the CNL and the curriculum framework in 2013. These provide the basis for a master's degree program or post-master's certificate preparing the graduate to take the AACN CNL Certification Examination. This represents the first new role introduced into nursing since the 1960s. This role is not that of a clinical specialist, so areas of clinical expertise are not required. This role is not management, so management experience is not required. There are no requirements for years of experience in nursing to perform this role.