Clinical Nurse Leader (Cnl) Is a Relatively

Clinical nurse leader (CNL) is a relatively new designation in the nursing profession. It is designed to take nurses that are already highly skilled and help them focus on safety and quality outcomes for their patient populations (American, 2013). In order to be a CNL, one must be a registered nurse and have a Master's Degree in the Science of Nursing (American, 2013). Additionally, the nurse must complete advanced coursework. This includes classes in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical assessment (American, 2013). Those who work as CNLs have a very important job in that they oversee the coordination of patient care, develop strategies to improve quality, and assess any health risks that have to be dealt with (Institute, 2000). They also must focus on communication among their nursing team and solutions to problems that are evidence-based and created for their particular unit (Institute, 2001). To become certified as a CNL, one must get that certification from The Commission on Nursing Certification (CNC) (American, 2013).

The reason the CNL role was designed in response to a report created by the Institute of Medicine that indicated there were many medical errors taking place (Institute, 2000). That report indicated that the number of deaths each year from medical errors was between 44,000 and 98,000 (Institute, 2000). A CNL could help change that, because of the way he or she works toward evidence-based solutions for patient care problems. By finding solutions for issues that are not hypothetical but that are clearly a part of the patient dynamic, a CNL would be able to save lives and make patients healthier and happier (American, 2013). That not only impacts the hospital, but it also impacts the community (Institute, 2003). The community impact comes through education that helps people live healthier lives, and through saving lives of people who then return to their families and to the community at large, where they can add value to the lives of others.

At a typical large hospital, there is so much going on that it can seem like chaos to people who are not used to the dynamics of it. In the middle of all that hustle and bustle, there still must be proper care for the patients who need assistance, help, and support. In order to create change in that workplace, there are advocacy strategies that can be identified and used. According to the report about the large number of medical errors that result in patient deaths each year, there are still too many errors being made (Institute, 2000). Ideally there would not be any errors made, but that is not possible when human beings are involved. They can and do make honest mistakes (Institute, 2003). One of the best strategies for which a CNL can advocate is communication. Many errors that are made in patient care come from a lack of communication and misunderstandings regarding test results, medication requirements, or other information (Institute, 2001).