The US Veterans Administration (VA) has implemented the clinical nurse leader
(CNL) role nationwide. Nursing leaders at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical
Center in Gainesville, Florida, implemented the development of the CNL role in
the perioperative setting during the summer of 2012. The perioperative department
developed the position in partnership with the University of Florida College
of Nursing, Gainesville, Florida. The team developed a description of the roles
and experiences of the preceptors, the clinical nurse leader resident, and the
University of Florida faculty member. The clinical nurse leader resident’s successes
and the positive outcomes, such as improved patient outcomes, experienced
by the perioperative department demonstrated the importance of the CNL role.