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Clinical Nurse Leader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sralab

Clinical Nurse Leader

Chicago, IL · On-site

Summary The Clinical Nurse Leader is a micro-system outcomes manager for a specified group of patients. Collaborates with other healthcare disciplines, research and administration teams to manage ...

UnityPoint Health

Clinical Nurse Leader

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job ID: 184937 Overview The Clinical Nurse Leader provides support at the elbow for frontline team members and the leadership team in two inpatient departments. They assist, coordinate, and influence ...

Rush University

Clinical Nurse Leader, SIMCU

Chicago, IL · On-site

$48.07 - $74.39/hr

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) functions as an advanced generalist providing and managing care for patients, individuals, families, and communities in the microsystem. The CNL is a point of care ...

Rush

Clinical Nurse Leader, SIMCU

Chicago, IL · On-site

$48.07 - $74.39/hr

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) functions as an advanced generalist providing and managing care for patients, individuals, families, and communities in the microsystem. The CNL is a point of care ...

UnityPoint Health

Clinical Nurse Leader-4C

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview The Clinical Nurse Leader provides support at the elbow for frontline team members and the leadership team in two inpatient departments. They assist, coordinate, and influence nursing ...

UnityPoint Health

Clinical Nurse Leader-4C

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview The Clinical Nurse Leader provides support at the elbow for frontline team members and the leadership team in two inpatient departments. They assist, coordinate, and influence nursing ...

Ascension

Clinical Nurse Leader Surgery

Brookfield, WI

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Clinical Nurse Leader certification issued by the Commission of Nurse Certification (CNC) preferred. Education: * Diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing required and Master's degree ...

Ascension

Clinical Nurse Leader Surgery

Brookfield, WI

  • Medical

  • PTO

Clinical Nurse Leader certification issued by the Commission of Nurse Certification (CNC) preferred. Education: * Diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing required and Master's degree ...

Ascension

Clinical Nurse Leader Surgery

Brookfield, WI

$89K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Clinical Nurse Leader certification issued by the Commission of Nurse Certification (CNC) preferred. Education: * Diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing required and Master's degree ...

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Clinical Nurse Leader information

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$31K

$89.9K

$155K

How much do clinical nurse leader jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for clinical nurse leader in the United States is $89,949.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $104,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Clinical Nurse Leader vs Registered Nurse?

AspectClinical Nurse LeaderRegistered Nurse
CredentialsBSN or higher, certification as CNL often preferredAssociate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, care coordination settingsHospitals, clinics, community health settings
Role FocusCare coordination, quality improvement, patient outcomesDirect patient care, administering medications, monitoring health

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) focuses on care coordination and improving patient outcomes, often taking on leadership roles in clinical settings. Registered Nurses (RNs) primarily provide direct patient care. While both roles require nursing credentials, the CNL typically has additional training in leadership and quality improvement, making it suitable for roles that involve overseeing care teams and implementing best practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a clinical nurse leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Clinical Nurse Leader, you need advanced clinical expertise, leadership abilities, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with CNL certification. Familiarity with healthcare information systems, quality improvement tools, and patient care technologies is typically required. Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and team coordination skills help Clinical Nurse Leaders drive positive patient outcomes and mentor staff. These skills are vital for improving care quality, ensuring patient safety, and leading healthcare teams effectively in complex clinical environments.

What is a clinical nurse leader?

A Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a master's-educated registered nurse who oversees the integration of care for a specific set of patients. CNLs focus on improving patient outcomes by coordinating care, implementing evidence-based practices, and ensuring quality and safety standards are met. They typically work at the point of care, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to optimize patient care processes. Unlike nurse managers, CNLs do not have direct administrative responsibilities but are leaders in clinical practice and care delivery. Their role is essential in bridging the gap between administrative leadership and bedside nursing.

How does a clinical nurse leader typically interact with interdisciplinary teams within a healthcare setting?

Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) play a pivotal role in coordinating care by serving as a bridge between nursing staff and other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists, and social workers. They regularly participate in interdisciplinary rounds, contribute to care planning meetings, and ensure effective communication among team members to optimize patient outcomes. This collaborative approach helps to identify and address patient care issues swiftly, foster teamwork, and promote evidence-based practices across the unit. Job seekers should be comfortable facilitating discussions, resolving conflicts, and advocating for both patients and nursing staff.
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Clinical Nurse Leader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Clinical Nurse Leader job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,949 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Clinical Nurse Leader

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you'll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You'll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none - one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You'll play a role in something that's never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes - as we Advance Human Ability, together.
Job Description Summary
The Clinical Nurse Leader is a micro-system outcomes manager for a specified group of patients. Collaborates with other healthcare disciplines, research and administration teams to manage clinical, functional, cost, and satisfaction outcomes. Partners with the education and practice arenas to provide patient care. The Clinical Nurse Leader serves as a leader through consultation, collaboration and application of the nursing process with a focus on improving outcomes at the unit level.
The Clinical Nurse Leader consistently demonstrates support of the SRAlab statement of Mission and Philosophy by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.
The Clinical Nurse Leader demonstrates SRAlab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and SRAlab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.
Job Description
The Clinical Nurse Leader will:
  • Collect physiological, psychosocial, and functional data to formulate nursing diagnosis utilizing evidence-based techniques and instruments.
  • Implement interventions consistent with the established plan of care, interdisciplinary treatment plan, and available resources and evaluates progress toward goal attainment modifying the plan of care as indicated.
  • Partner with interdisciplinary team to address complex patient and family goals and collaborates with Allied Health staff on interventions to improve performance and outcomes.
  • Provide comprehensive nursing care for assigned patients, which includes performing specializing treatments, administering prescribed medications, delegating duties to appropriate persons, and coordinating patient care with other departments.
  • Collect and reports pertinent physiological, psychological, and functional data based on patient plan of care or patient need.
  • Collect and analyze nursing outcome data and collaborates with manager to develop plan to improve performance.
  • Monitor patient satisfaction and preparation for discharge scores and works with nursing staff to improve levels of performance.
  • Orient patient and family to SRAlab, solicits feedback from nurses to evaluate outcomes, coordinates the handoff of nursing care, identifies high-risk home discharges, and coordinates follow-up phone calls.
  • Review and critique care plans for patients and works with staff to customize interventions to attain patient family goals and reduce the risk of complications during the rehabilitation stay.
  • Identify and develop plan to address learning needs of patients and families by providing accurate
  • Identify gaps in current available data and develops plan to collect, interpret, analyze, and use data to improve outcomes.
  • Review, evaluate and make recommendations regarding Institute policies and procedures to insure they are evidence-based and bring research to the clinical practice.
  • Establish and maintain learning environment by working with health team members, assisting with care and documentation and initiating and conducting patient care conferences with staff.
  • Assume charge nurse responsibilities including working with team members and resolving interdepartmental problems and barriers to provision of necessary services to patients.
  • Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of SRAlab.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports directly to the Nurse Manager.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
  • Minimum education requirement of a Master's of Science degree (or equivalent) from an accredited nursing program.
  • National certification as Clinical Nurse Leader, or completion of CNL within one year, and ongoing maintenance of Clinical Nurse Leader national certification/annual continuing education requirements.
  • Current Illinois Registered Professional Nurse license.
  • Current CPR certification.
  • Minimum 4 years of relevant nursing experience.
  • Understanding of the growth and development of infant, child, adolescent, young adult, middle-aged adult and geriatric patients.
  • Demonstrates the ability to interpret growth and development related information to assure patient needs are met.
  • Demonstrated success in leadership roles and initiatives.
  • Excellent problem solving abilities.
  • Ability to communicate effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
  • Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to make sound judgments and to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
  • Ability to anticipate, assess, and address the needs of patients.
  • Ability to transfer and position patients consistent with lifting 30 lbs.

Working Conditions:
  • Normal patient care environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.
  • Exposure to moderately adverse working conditions in performing certain patient care activities.
  • Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Pay and Benefits*:
Pay Range:
$34.23 - $59.86
Benefits:
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits
*Benefits and benefits' eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.
EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

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