The Department of Veterans Affairs is at the forefront of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) movement. VA nurse leaders, along with colleagues from the colleges of nursing, have participated in the development and implementation of this role.

At VA, CNLs serve as the point person on patient care teams, and they are leaders in the health care delivery system across all settings in which health care is delivered. This revolutionary role is making a difference in patient care outcomes and professional role satisfaction for many staff nurses.

VA supports nurses pursuing advanced degrees in this specialty by offering scholarship opportunities.