University of San Francisco ME-CNL Summer 2013

Tweety2013 · May 11, 2013

Tweety2013 - Congratulations! This is wonderful news!

Thank you @laugh2013. I am still surprised because I had a rejection letter and then a acceptance phone call. I submitted my intent to enroll yesterday :)

fancyeyes, BSN, RN · May 12, 2013

Hi everyone- I'm kind of curious if you could tell me your reasons for being interested in the CNL program at USF? I'm deciding on whether I want to apply or not...it seems like one of the MOST expensive programs in CA...and I've heard CNLs are basically working as bedside nurses with a MSN...not even being paid more than someone with a ADN...do you guys think this is true or has the CNL role improved more today?

mailnursetobe · May 13, 2013

@Tweety...Congratulations what a roller coaster ride for you. There is still a chance for those of you still waiting. People have been accepted all the way up to the day before orientation. So if you have not heard anything yet, hang tight. If you don't get in, review your personal statement and perhaps try and rework it. I'll tell you that they are not looking for in personal statements, statements that talk about how great you are. They are looking more so, at why and what it is that prompted you to become a nurse and why USF. If you are local or not, and you have not been to the USF MSN info sessions I highly recommend that you do that. They really spell out for you what it is that you need to get into USF. USF doesn't only look at grades, they look at what you have done in your life. I hope this helps. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

laugh2013 · May 15, 2013

Hi fancyeyes - I chose the CNL program at USF for personal reasons. For the most part I rearched several MSN programs in California and felt USF was a match for me. I strongly suggest you do the same and apply to the program that feels like match. Some things I took in to consideration were: location, cost, the quality of the program, NCLEX pass rate, mission, values, and emphasis (CNL).

You mentioned "it seems like one of the MOST expensive programs in CA" - I have to say I disagree. I looked at least four MSN programs in California and USF is not the most expensive program. There are two other MSN programs that are higher than USF and/or cost about the same. I went online and did a cost analysis for each MSN program in northern and southern CA. I looked at the total units needed to get a Master's and then multipled the total number of units by the rate of tuition per unit for several MSN programs. I then reviewed the pre-req's, requirements to apply and so forth. Some MSN programs require the TEAS exam and/or GRE and some have a lottery.

After researching and doing a cost analysis for at least four MSN programs, I then prioritized my preferences: first, second, third, and so forth. I also took into consideration the length of time it will take to complete the program. Some MSN programs are two years and some are three years.

Some MSN programs have a list of specialities you can choose from: NP, CNL, CNS, etc. I took time to read the description for each speciality and then narrowed my list of school choices.

In terms of cost, most if not all grad school programs cost $$. You'll see when you do the cost analysis for a few programs. They range from $70K-120K.

I did find one State University that offers a Master's degree in Nursing for approx. $30-35K. However, you have to take the GRE, TEAS and so forth...

I don't know but to get a BSN degree it ranges from $30-66K depending on the university. So I figure to get a MSN CNL degree as a non-nurse at USF for the tuition expense is not so bad.. I personally feel it is worth it to "me."

I have heard CNL's initially do bedside care. I personally have no problems with that. How can I be a CNL if I have no clue what bedside care is about? How can we be leaders if we have no understanding or concept of what a nurse role is in the health care field? Before I become a CNL, I sense I need to know how to provide competent and quality care to patients. I look at it this way, before I can become a CNL, I need to gain experience, apply what I have learned in nursing school to the field of nursing.

Last but not least, (and feel free to correct me if I am incorrect) a nurse with an ADN can do beside care, whereas, a nurse who has a BSN or MSN degree has more options: leadership, administrative, can be a manager, and teach.

Personally, I want to have options. Yes, I want to do bedside care for a few years or so, maybe five years or so, then I want to go into management, and possible teach. A Master's degree will allow me to have options. I will not be limited.

I hope this post is helpful.

Good luck with making a decision. And when you do make sure you make a decision that makes "you" happy and comfortable not because other people have chosen that particular path. In other words, do your research and make a decision that fits "YOU."

fancyeyes, BSN, RN · May 15, 2013

Thanks for replying, by no means was I trying to diss USF, I'll probably end up applying there. I guess because my end goal is to be a FNP, I'm not sure if going into a CNL program then doing a post-masters cert in FNP would be a good route.

Also, compared to UCLA and Charles Drew that have the exact same 2 year CNL program it seems a lot more expensive...unless the other schools have hidden fees they aren't listing on their websites?

Of course I do understand that in a sense you're paying for the reputation...and I have heard very good things about USF grads :)

Hi fancyeyes - I chose the CNL program at USF for personal reasons. For the most part I rearched several MSN programs in California and felt USF was a match for me. I strongly suggest you do the same and apply to the program that feels like match. Some things I took in to consideration were: location, cost, the quality of the program, NCLEX pass rate, mission, values, and emphasis (CNL).
You mentioned "it seems like one of the MOST expensive programs in CA" - I have to say I disagree. I looked at least four MSN programs in California and USF is not the most expensive program. There are two other MSN programs that are higher than USF and/or cost about the same. I went online and did a cost analysis for each MSN program in northern and southern CA. I looked at the total units needed to get a Master's and then multipled the total number of units by the rate of tuition per unit for several MSN programs. I then reviewed the pre-req's, requirements to apply and so forth. Some MSN programs require the TEAS exam and/or GRE and some have a lottery.
After researching and doing a cost analysis for at least four MSN programs, I then prioritized my preferences: first, second, third, and so forth. I also took into consideration the length of time it will take to complete the program. Some MSN programs are two years and some are three years.
Some MSN programs have a list of specialities you can choose from: NP, CNL, CNS, etc. I took time to read the description for each speciality and then narrowed my list of school choices.
In terms of cost, most if not all grad school programs cost $$. You'll see when you do the cost analysis for a few programs. They range from $70K-120K.
I did find one State University that offers a Master's degree in Nursing for approx. $30-35K. However, you have to take the GRE, TEAS and so forth...
I don't know but to get a BSN degree it ranges from $30-66K depending on the university. So I figure to get a MSN CNL degree as a non-nurse at USF for the tuition expense is not so bad.. I personally feel it is worth it to "me."
I have heard CNL's initially do bedside care. I personally have no problems with that. How can I be a CNL if I have no clue what bedside care is about? How can we be leaders if we have no understanding or concept of what a nurse role is in the health care field? Before I become a CNL, I sense I need to know how to provide competent and quality care to patients. I look at it this way, before I can become a CNL, I need to gain experience, apply what I have learned in nursing school to the field of nursing.
Last but not least, (and feel free to correct me if I am incorrect) a nurse with an ADN can do beside care, whereas, a nurse who has a BSN or MSN degree has more options: leadership, administrative, can be a manager, and teach.
Personally, I want to have options. Yes, I want to do bedside care for a few years or so, maybe five years or so, then I want to go into management, and possible teach. A Master's degree will allow me to have options. I will not be limited.
I hope this post is helpful.
Good luck with making a decision. And when you do make sure you make a decision that makes "you" happy and comfortable not because other people have chosen that particular path. In other words, do your research and make a decision that fits "YOU."

MadyStacy · Apr 23, 2014

Hi all!

I know it has been a while, but in preparation for reapplication, I am trying to find a *clinical* volunteer gig, but it seems nearly impossible if you're not a part of school program. Any advice on this?

Thanks a billion!