Is CNS masters program a bad idea for regular RN on hospital floor?

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I come from a non nursing background and i just want to become an RN in a hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area as soon as possible. The cheapest option in my area may be an Clinical Nurse Specialist MSN degree at SF State. But will this degree actually prevent me from getting a regular RN job, say in L&D? They offer a women's health specialty.

I am also planning to apply to an ABSN program and a CNL masters program. I just want to be a nurse and want to do it as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. The CNL MSN at USF takes LESS time than completing a BSN as a transfer student (2 years instead of 3 years), and the SF State CNS MSN costs less than the Samuel Merritt ABSN, and you get both a BSN and an MSN.

I don't want to be an advanced practitioner at this time, I just want to be a regular RN on the hospital floor. Given that, is a CNS Masters program a bad idea? Will i not be able to get a regular RN job with this degree?? any insight is welcome. Thanks!

Oh and as for $$, my ABSN is pricy but it's from a well respected school around here (private, non profit), and costs less than the CNL MSN program at another nearby private school, because the msn is 2 years. So the ABSN isn't necessarily your most expensive route.

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traumaRUs said:
Agree marketability for CNL might be dicey. Also, please understand that CNL is NOT advanced practice. You will still need the 3Ps: advanced patho, advanced pharm and advanced physical assessment as well as a minimum of 500 hours clinical experience for your NP goal.

Sorry, I meant to also ask why you think marketing the CNL might be dicey?

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pennccrn said:
Hey JD2RN: I think you plan sounds great and it's something I'd recommend doing a ADN and then doing a bridge to a BSN or MSN. Also, I think doing a CNL MSN is a smart move. Although a CNL, is not an advanced Practice nurse, it provides a good launching spot for candidates who want to pursue nursing but might want to transition into quality or management roles. Just a word of caution, most hospitals now prefer to hire grads with a BSN or MSN if they're aspirating or a current magnet organization. Magnet makes the distinction that BSN are what they prefer AND a BA or BS does not count towards the hospitals numbers. So it turn, even though you might have a BA acute care hospitals might take a BSN head over a ADN grad with a BA or non-nursing BS.

Natalie, congrats on your acceptance and I'm confident you do exceptionally! All all the best for your future success!

Right. It is unlikely that I will get hired in SD hospitals with an ADN. I'm trying to figure out if an ADN + MSN-CNL will have any downside risk.

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.

If you want to work as a hospital clinical RN while completing your RN-MSN, depending on the specifics of your local market, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, to get a job as an ADN (just in case you change your mind on working). Also, although you may not be working as an RN while completing the MSN, afterwards, some institutions may not consider you a "new graduate" for residency programs, since you would have already been a licensed RN for at least a year prior (again, depends on the facility). I think that most that do CNL either do a direct entry CNL program, or are already experienced RNs that do the ADN or BSN to MSN program.

I was trying to find the SDSU CNL program, but I don't see it on the site, maybe I'm missing it.

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Natalie513 said:
Oh and as for $$, my ABSN is pricy but it's from a well respected school around here (private, non profit), and costs less than the CNL MSN program at another nearby private school, because the MSN is 2 years. So the ABSN isn't necessarily your most expensive route.

If we had a 12 month ABSN here in SD, I might consider it. Unfortunately, all the ABSN programs here are 15-24 months, and 50-75K+ -- even the state schools consider the programs "extended studies," so they can charge more than normal in-state tuition. The direct entry CNL program at USD is 110K! Insane.

Other than perhaps my ego, I see no reason not to pursue the ADN + MSN/CNL (for less than 20k combined). But, I was throwing it out there for comments in case there really is a problem with marketing the MSN-CNL to hospitals for entry level nursing positions vs the BSN (as some have said in previous threads).

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.
JD2RN said:
Right. It is unlikely that I will get hired in SD hospitals with an ADN. I'm trying to figure out if an ADN + MSN-CNL will have any downside risk.

The only downside risk I personally can see is that you may not necessarily be considered a "new graduate" if you're interested in applying for new graduate residency programs (since you would have already been licensed for at least a year prior to applying for positions). I'm sure you could find a facility with a position however.

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MurseJJ said:
If you want to work as a hospital clinical RN while completing your RN-MSN, depending on the specifics of your local market, it may be very difficult, if not impossible, to get a job as an ADN (just in case you change your mind on working). Also, although you may not be working as an RN while completing the MSN, afterwards, some institutions may not consider you a "new graduate" for residency programs, since you would have already been a licensed RN for at least a year prior (again, depends on the facility). I think that most that do CNL either do a direct entry CNL program, or are already experienced RNs that do the ADN or BSN to MSN program.

I was trying to find the SDSU CNL program, but I don't see it on the site, maybe I'm missing it.

I don't have to work during the MSN program, but it would be nice to get experience, if possible. We are used to me being out of the workforce, so it's not a financial necessity.

I think most new nurse residencies around here require you to be new to nursing within the past 12 months (post licensure), so I would meet that standard, even with the MSN (it will only take me two semesters to complete).

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Also, just to clarify, the MSN-CNL program is normally 2 years. But, SDSU allows you to take up to 9 grad-level units in non-degree status prior to admission. Since I have nothing else to do for the year while I apply to nursing schools, I am taking 15 units of (non-clinical) MSN classes over the next two semesters (3 courses at SDSU and 2 courses via UND online). There's no reason I can't knock out nurse research, informatics, and financial management while I am waiting (the courses don't have pre-reqs, and I have a finance background as an investment banker turned corporate securities litigator). That leaves me with only one year of full-time coursework remaining, which is scheduled only one day per week.

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.

Ah yeah, I saw that, guess I was a little thrown off because it didn't explicitly say "clinical nurse leader".

Well, if the residency programs will consider you within 12 months post-licensure, go for it!

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Specializes in Pulmonary & Cardiothoracic Critical Care.
The only downside risk I personally can see is that you may not necessarily be considered a "new graduate" if you're interested in applying for new graduate residency programs (since you would have already been licensed for at least a year prior to applying for positions). I'm sure you could find a facility with a position however.

Yeah that's a good point I guess I didn't see that Cabot but perhaps you can say that on your interview and enter into a agreement that you'll earn your masters. There's always ways to get around strict requirements like that.

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MurseJJ said:
Ah yeah, I saw that, guess I was a little thrown off because it didn't explicitly say "clinical nurse leader".

Well, if the residency programs will consider you within 12 months post-licensure, go for it!

FAQs - RN New Grad Programs - Scripps Health

Opportunities for New Nursing Graduates | UC San Diego Health

The VA is also a possibility.

I am still curious why you think that hiring might be dicey, TraumaRUs. Not trying to argue; just looking to do due diligence before setting on this path.

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And please know how much I appreciate all of this feedback. :)

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