Clinical Nurse Leader
A program that prepares registered nurses for careers as clinical nurse leaders in which they work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides direct medical care for patients based on evidence-based practice and research. Includes instruction in pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, research in nursing methods, advanced health assessment, statistics, and clinical practice management.
- Schools offering
- 4
- Annual completions
- 7
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $84k
About this major
A program that prepares registered nurses for careers as clinical nurse leaders in which they work as part of an interdisciplinary team that provides direct medical care for patients based on evidence-based practice and research. Includes instruction in pharmacology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, research in nursing methods, advanced health assessment, statistics, and clinical practice management.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses | $94k | +4.9% | Bachelor's degree |
| Medical and health services managers | $118k | +23.2% | Bachelor's degree |
| Nurse practitioners | $129k | +40.1% | Master's degree |
| Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary | $80k | +16.8% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$84k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$82k
Bachelor's
$87k
Top colleges for Clinical Nurse Leader
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta, ME | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Otterbein University | Westerville, OH | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Capella University | Minneapolis, MN | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
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Nursing Practice
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Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
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Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
151 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Clinical Nurse Leader field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Clinical Nurse Leader worth it? Read verdict