Clinical Nurse Leadership (CNL) Programs

If you excel at analyzing data and leadership, a career as a clinical nurse leader (CNL) could be for you. CNLs improve patient outcomes by identifying new evidence-based practices and opportunities to enhance nursing.

This guide explores how to become a CNL, lists the best CNL programs, and answers your questions about CNL careers.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best online CNL programs, making it easier to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

Keep reading to learn more about clinical nurse leader programs, or go straight to our list of the best CNL programs.

Master of science in nursing (MSN) programs have two types of MSN specialties: advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specialties — nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist — or non-APRN specialties.

APRN specialties have specific state license requirements, including board certification. Non-APRN specialties do not include these requirements, although they have optional certifications.

Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs, but CNLs are not. Other non-APRN MSN programs include:

Finding the right CNL program for you depends on your background, experience, and career goals. Look at cost and program logistics plus these important factors.

While most CNL program students prepare students to be nurse leaders by earning a BSN and working as an RN, there are other pathways to admission. If you have a nursing license, a degree, or college-level coursework in another area of healthcare, you may be eligible for a bridge program. Whether your degree is in nursing or some other field, most programs require:

This guide only lists accredited CNL programs. Nursing accreditation means that an independent group has evaluated the program and concluded that it effectively prepares students for CNL positions. This is important because:

A CNL program poses a significant investment, but financial resources for nurses can help, especially if you plan in advance how to pay for a nursing degree.

Your school should offer financial aid programs, based on need, merit, or both. You can also apply for nursing scholarships, grants, and loans from professional nursing associations. Nonprofits, such as foundations, corporations, and government programs, may also offer financial awards.

Graduates who work in underserved areas are often eligible for government loan forgiveness for nurses, such as the Nurse Corps. Many employers help pay for your CNL program in exchange for a commitment to work for them for a certain period once you graduate.

Clinical nurse leaders are nurses who are responsible for improving nursing quality and outcomes. They do research, identify best practices, lead initiatives, and monitor and evaluate the results.

They must have excellent nursing, analytical, and collaboration skills. Most but not all clinical nurse leaders work in hospitals.

Nurses at every level are in demand, especially nurses with master’s degrees. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t specifically track clinical nurse leader jobs, it projects that medical and health services manager jobs will grow 32% between 2020 and 2030.

A clinical nurse specialist is an advanced practice nurse who is board certified in a particular clinical specialty, such as adult and gerontology care or pediatrics. Clinical nurse leaders also have master’s degrees, but are not APRNs. They focus on improving clinical care overall.

If you are in your last semester or are a graduate of a master’s-level CNL program or other accredited nursing program, you are eligible to take the CNL examination and apply for certification from the AACN. You must have a current RN license for full certification.