Study: Adding clinical nurse leader improves nurse manager role

Adding a clinical nurse leader to a unit can address managerial challenges and advance health care leadership, according to AONL member Dan Lose, DNP, RN. Published in the June issue of Nurse Leader, the article examines how an inpatient cellular therapy unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City strategically placed a CNL into the leadership team after the experienced nurse manager expressed dissatisfaction with the nurse manager role due to its expanding scope and increasing challenges. Adding the CNL improved operational efficiency, staff engagement and patient outcomes by redistributing leadership responsibilities and reducing nurse manager span of control. The change also enhanced communication and promoted quality improvement initiatives. The unit reduced central-line associated bloodstream infections by 60% and lowered turnover by 30%.