Pioneering a new role: the beginning, current practice and future of the Clinical Nurse Leader.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the development of a new nursing role in response to the health care crisis in the United States.


BACKGROUND
The nursing shortage and fragmentation of care has contributed to the need for nurses who are prepared to laterally integrate care, bring evidence-based practice to the bedside and provide continuity of care to patients and families.


RESULTS
The CNLs review the literature, share their experiences, and discuss outcomes related to improved quality of care.


RESULTS
Having clinical nurses with a global perspective acting as facilitators and integrators of care is essential to maintaining a high standard of care. Organizational and management support is critical. The more CNLs that can be embedded in an institution, the more successful the role can be.


CONCLUSIONS
The varied utilization of the CNLs in this practice setting has proven its value in a short period of time and facilitated better communication and collaboration among patients and their health care team.


CONCLUSIONS
The flexibility and broad scope of this role allows for its use in any practice setting to realize gains in quality outcomes, cost savings, improved patient flow, increased safety, nurse satisfaction and increasing organizational capacity.
Orthopedic and Trauma Unit, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA.
Danielle
D
Poulin-Tabor
Rebecca L
RL
Quirk
Lauri
L
Wilson
Sonja
S
Orff
Paulette
P
Gallant
Nina
N
Swan
Nicole
N
Manchester
D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000639:trends*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States