clinical nurse leader (cnl) is a relatively new nursing role that was developed in the united states to prepare highly skilled nurses focused on the improvement of quality and safety outcomes for patients or patient populations. the cnl is a registered nurse, with a master of science in nursing who has completed advanced nursing coursework, including classes in pathophysiology, clinical assessment, finance management, epidemiology, healthcare systems leadership, clinical informatics, and pharmacology. cnls are healthcare systems specialists that oversee patient care coordination, assess health risks, develop quality improvement strategies, facilitate team communication, and implement evidence-based solutions at the unit (microsystem) level. cnls often work with clinical nurse specialists to help plan and coordinate complex patient care.