Conclusion
In the advent of the new millennium and amid the many challenges facing contemporary healthcare delivery systems, we bear witness to the conception, development, and application of the first new role in nursing in over forty years, that of the Clinical Nurse Leader. As an advanced, master’s-level-prepared nurse, having specialized health system clinical leadership competencies, the CNL provides direct clinical leadership at the point of care to advance care delivery that is safe, evidence-based, and targeted towards optimal quality outcomes for those served. The power of the CNL as a front-line care leader will be an invaluable asset for building and sustaining safer and higher quality care delivery systems in the years ahead.