The distinct function of nurses in the CNL role in a healthcare system makes it is
essential that healthcare organizations appropriately monitor and assess CNL abilities to
effectively fulfill the role. Clinical competencies are valuable tools used to identify
personal qualities that relate to effective and successful job performance (McClelland,
1973). In 2007, the AACN established CNL curriculum and end of program
competencies that were significant for CNL role success. In 2011, the Commission on
Nurse Certification (CNC) led a national team to study the CNL role with the goal of
updating the CNL certification examine. The results of the literature search and
feedback from subject experts led to an extensive list of CNL focused tasks, skills and
knowledge needed for competent practice (CNC, 2011). As the nation’s healthcare
system continued to evolve, so has the CNL role (AACN, 2013). There was a need to
reevaluate the CNL curriculum and practice competencies (AACN, 2013). In 2013,
AACN convened a national expert panel and external validation panel of nursing leaders
and practicing CNLs to identify new master’s essentials for curricula and new entrylevel
CNL practice competencies. These new CNL competencies will serve to guide
CNL education and practice nationwide. These competencies replaced the competencies
in the White Paper on Education and Role of the Clinical Nurse Leader (AACN, 2007)