CNLs are making a difference in patient care throughout the healthcare delivery system. Their impact is reflected by increased cost effectiveness, improved patient care, enhanced lateral integrated care, greater patient satisfaction, and provide the leadership needed to repair fragmented care delivery across settings.
- Raising patient, nurse, and physician satisfaction while improving care outcomes and realizing sizable cost-savings.
- Elevating the level of practice for all nurses in the unit by promoting critical thinking and innovation in nursing care.
- Constructively managing change and promote a team-based approach to care.
- Understanding the bigger picture, including outcomes and patient satisfaction, when considering next steps, needed changes and improvements to the setting.
A CNL Shares Her Story
At our medical center, outcomes from a CNL in the Geriatric Evaluation and Management Clinic include post hospitalization follow-up calls made over a nine-month period to determine home safety that helped reduce falls by 75%, with a cost avoidance of $100,000. Another process improvement project focusing on clinic exit interview reduced phone calls by 89% and increase medication adherence by 67%.
South Texas VA Medical Center
San Antonio, TX
How CNLs® View the Impact of Their Role
In 2015, CNC surveyed CNLs around the nation to learn how certification impacts their nursing career and the healthcare setting in which they practice:
- 97% indicated that they are able to apply CNL knowledge and skills in their current role
- 91% indicated that they are an important member of their interdisciplinary team
- 92% of CNLs are valued as an employee because of their CNL knowledge and skills
The majority of survey respondents indicated that they often:
- Suggest a cost-saving idea or process that improves institutional efficiency;
- Use aggregate data sets to improve care;
- Participate in institutional-wide committees to promote safety and quality care;
- Assimilate research-based evidence to improve outcomes;
- Conduct microsystems analysis to improve institutional outcomes; and
- Develop educational materials for patients or staff.
