The Ins and Outs of Being a CNL®

/ Exam Prep / By / August 20, 2025
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What It Means to Be a Certified Nurse Leader (CNL®)

Thinking about the next step in your nursing career? The profession offers a wide range of certifications spanning clinical, managerial, and educational specialties. But which path is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be a Certified Nurse Leader (CNL®).

Being a CNL: What Does It Mean?

A Certified Nurse Leader (CNL®) is a registered nurse (RN) with a master’s or post-master’s degree from a formal CNL® education program. This advanced training includes coursework in:

  • Pathophysiology

  • Clinical assessment

  • Finance management

  • Epidemiology

  • Healthcare systems leadership

  • Clinical informatics

  • Pharmacology

What Does a CNL® Do?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) developed the CNL® role in partnership with healthcare and education leaders to improve patient care outcomes across the U.S.

As a healthcare systems specialist, a CNL® is trained to:

  • Oversee care coordination

  • Assess health risks

  • Develop and implement quality improvement strategies

  • Apply evidence-based practices at the microsystem level

  • Facilitate team communication across care providers

CNLs often collaborate with clinical nurse specialists to manage complex patient care and serve as mentors to other nurses, guiding them in evidence-based practices that enhance patient outcomes.

Work Settings

CNLs can be found in a variety of healthcare environments, including:

  • Hospitals

  • Large medical clinics

  • Rehabilitation centers

  • Home health practices

  • Long-term and geriatric care facilities

  • Ambulatory care settings

What Type of Person Is a CNL®?

Because the role requires overseeing many aspects of care simultaneously, successful CNLs typically have:

  • Strong leadership, teaching, and communication skills

  • The ability to analyze patient data trends

  • A commitment to staying current with research, technology, and best practices

  • Keen listening skills and attention to detail

  • A passion for improving outcomes within their care units

How Do I Become a CNL®?

The pathway to becoming a CNL® includes:

  1. Earning a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

  2. Completing a Master of Science Clinical Nurse Leader program, which includes advanced courses in pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and pharmacology

  3. Passing the computer-based CNL® certification exam from the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) (some students take this exam before graduation)

🔄 Don’t forget: CNL® certification must be renewed every five years.

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Springer Publishing Editorial Staff
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