[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide explores how to become a CNL, lists the best CNL programs, and answers your questions about CNL careers.Keep reading to learn more about clinical nurse leader programs, or go straight to our list of [hen-ui-link href=”#ranking”]the best CNL programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Explore Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn About the Top Clinical Nurse Leader Programs and Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”strokeLight” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″][hen-ui-icon icon=”badge-check” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] How We Rank Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Degree and Specialization Options[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master of science in nursing (MSN) programs have two types of [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/popular-msn-degree-specializations//”]MSN specialties[/hen-ui-link]: advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specialties — nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist — or non-APRN specialties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]APRN specialties have specific state license requirements, including board certification. Non-APRN specialties do not include these requirements, although they have optional certifications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs, but CNLs are not. Other non-APRN MSN programs include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-administrator/”]Nurse Administrator[/hen-ui-link]:[/hen-ui-text] Nurse administrators manage and lead nursing functions in a healthcare setting with other healthcare administrators.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-educator/”]Nurse Educator[/hen-ui-link]:[/hen-ui-text] Nurse educators teach nursing theory and practice to nurses and nursing students in classroom or healthcare settings. They may also teach the public.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/public-health-nurse//”]Public Health Nursing[/hen-ui-link]:[/hen-ui-text] Public health nurses address population and public health needs by developing and carrying out health programs. They can also manage community-wide health initiatives.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-informatics/”]Nurse Informatics[/hen-ui-link]:[/hen-ui-text] Nurse informaticists analyze data about nursing practices and outcomes to identify ways to improve nursing and patient health.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Look for in a Clinical Nurse Leader Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Admission Requirements[/hen-ui-heading]Admission requirements indicate how likely you are to succeed in a CNL program and how likely you are to be admitted.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Program Curriculum[/hen-ui-heading]While CNL program curriculums are based on American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) standards, program descriptions and electives can indicate the program’s culture.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Clinical Experience[/hen-ui-heading]Especially if you attend an online CNL program or plan to work while studying, make sure that you can find [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//clinical-experience-for-online-nursing-students/”]clinical placement as an online nursing student[/hen-ui-link] in your community. Consider scheduling, travel, and placement rates.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Accreditation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/CNL/eligible-CNL-programs.pdf”]The AACN[/hen-ui-link] accredits CNL programs, and you must graduate from an accredited nursing program to receive certification. While you don’t need certification to work as a CNL, it can be a valuable credential. [hen-ui-link href=”#accreditation”]Read more about accreditation[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Program Length[/hen-ui-heading]Check that the program length works for your schedule. Most CNL programs offer a part-time option. If you don’t have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), some CNL programs have [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/nursing-bridge-programs/”]nursing bridge options[/hen-ui-link], which take longer to complete.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]School NCLEX Pass Rate[/hen-ui-heading]Check the school’s National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rate and the CNL program’s board certification rate. These can tell you how well the school prepares graduates to succeed.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]School Graduation Rate[/hen-ui-heading]The school and CNL program graduation rates can reveal students’ success. A low graduation rate may be a warning sign, even if the pass rates are high.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to a Clinical Nurse Leader Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A GPA of at least 3.0[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At least two references[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]College-level classes in statistics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]College-level classes in human anatomy and physiology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An application that includes a personal statement or essay[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Experience as an RN or in healthcare, public health, or related fields[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is Clinical Nurse Leader Program Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide only lists accredited CNL programs. [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]Nursing accreditation[/hen-ui-link] means that an independent group has evaluated the program and concluded that it effectively prepares students for CNL positions. This is important because:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The AACN only permits graduates of accredited programs to take the CNL certification examination.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most employers only consider graduates of accredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Very few accredited programs accept transfer credits from unaccredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most financial aid, especially federal financial aid, is only available for those attending accredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unaccredited programs are an unnecessary risk to both your time and money.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Paying for Clinical Nurse Leader Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A CNL program poses a significant investment, but [hen-ui-link href=”/financial-aid/”]financial resources for nurses[/hen-ui-link] can help, especially if you plan in advance how to [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/paying-for-your-nursing-degree/”]pay for a nursing degree[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Your school should offer financial aid programs, based on need, merit, or both. You can also apply for [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]nursing scholarships[/hen-ui-link], grants, and loans from [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//professional-nursing-associations/”]professional nursing associations[/hen-ui-link]. Nonprofits, such as foundations, corporations, and government programs, may also offer financial awards.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates who work in underserved areas are often eligible for government [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//student-loan-forgiveness-for-nurses/”]loan forgiveness for nurses[/hen-ui-link], 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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical Nurse Leader Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What does a clinical nurse leader do?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/clinical-nurse-leader/”]Clinical nurse leaders[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They must have excellent nursing, analytical, and collaboration skills. Most but not all clinical nurse leaders work in hospitals.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are clinical nurse leaders in demand?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 23% between 2024 and 2034.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the difference between a clinical nurse specialist and clinical nurse leader?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]clinical nurse specialist[/hen-ui-link] is an advanced practice nurse who is board certified in a particular clinical specialty, such as adult and gerontology care or pediatrics. [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/clinical-nurse-leader/”]Clinical nurse leaders[/hen-ui-link] also have master’s degrees, but are not APRNs. They focus on improving clinical care overall.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is clinical nurse leader certification?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]