Clarifying Role Expectations and Practice Standards Using a Clinical Nurse Leader Professional Practice Model Illustration.

Background: Despite evidence of the positive impact of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) role, implementation of supplemental nursing roles has proven to be challenging due to unclear role explanations and organizational unfamiliarity.

Problem: Nurses practice in a dynamic environment and need to cope with the rapid pace of change in practice roles. Outside of the preparation of the CNL, many nursing professionals are not educated or prepared on the essential aspects the CNL role.