May 23, 2025
AACN is pleased to announce the release of a new set of competencies to prepare Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) at the master’s and doctoral levels. Introduced by AACN in 2004, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL®) is prepared at the graduate level for advanced nursing practice focused on leadership, quality improvement, communication, and care coordination. The new and updated set of CNL competencies was developed through a national consensus-based process by an expert workgroup representing both education and practice.
Download the New CNL Competencies