Identify the educational preparation and role(s) of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) designation.
The clinical nurse leader (CNL) is a master's-prepared advanced generalist clinician, who might manage and coordinate comprehensive client care for a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary to ensure patient safety and care quality (Cherry & Jacob, 2014, p. 55). The CNL program accepts nurses with a bachelor degree in nursing, and non-nurses with a bachelor or higher degree in different field, and requires a foundation in liberal arts and sciences, professional values and core nursing knowledge (Baernholdt & Cottingham, 2010,