Improving Safety through Clinical Nurse Leader Role Implementation
The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) has noted that the CNL role is aligned with the AONE’s Guiding Principles for the Nurse of the Future. As a knowledge worker, the CNL brings evidence-based practice to the bedside and applies a “more robust knowledge of quality, safety, and statistical processes” (Haase-Herrick & Herrin, 2007, p.60) at the point of care. The CNL monitors and manages patient outcomes and advances progress towards goals related to safety and quality. Implementation of the CNL role reflects a systems-level intervention and involves strategic care delivery redesign. The Joint Commission has identified the presence of a CNL in the acute care environment as an important contribution towards helping to solve healthcare’s safety problems (Joint Commission, 2008, p. 30). CNL role implementation now occurs in several major healthcare systems across the nation. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs aspires to implement CNL roles in all of its facilities by 2016.
The following discussion describes specific examples of clinical leadership activities and strategies; it highlights ways in which CNLs can intervene at a unit level to improve safety. Quality and safety improvements attributed, as least in part, to the efforts of CNLs and to the efforts of CNL student initiatives are offered.