UMB Spring 2010 Applicants (BSN or CNL)

Rest assured all application materials received by the deadline will be reviewed and if your status is not Committee Ready by now it doesn't mean anything except that they just have not gotten to yours yet - or maybe they have but just have not updated your status yet. I am sure if you ask your question about the overall GPA calculation, you will do everyone in the audience a favor. I will be representing the Shady Grove campus at my own little table at the Open House this Saturday - sure hope you and all my allnurses.com friends will drop by to say "Hi!"

Grey Lady, could you tell me when the best time to apply for the RN to MSN program is? I am considering either Fall 2010 or Spring 2011.

A note of advice to all of the applicants. Please be aware of what each program (BSN & CNL) is and is not. CNLs do receive a master's level education and already have a bachelors in another field. However, many of the BSN students are also have the same background.

So, just a caveat for all the CNL applicants - please be aware that a CNL is not a license to fast track yourself into management. Once you graduate, you graduate with as a generalist nurse with no experience - the same as every other new RN and you will start out in the trenches most likely. I personally wouldn't ask for anything less - how are you supposed to get experienced? The CNL is not going to advance you in the profession like a MA in NP will - as those are advance practice masters level programs.

The reason I'm highlighting this is that there are some cnl students that are not too happy about the program to put it lightly. I'm sure some of it is due to the administration not quite clearly communicating the roles of CNLs post grad - but maybe not.

Anyway, just thought I'd give you all a heads up. Back to studying...

If you want to be guaranteed a seat (or online slot) for the first semester courses you need, apply by the deadline - Feb. 1 for fall, Sept. 1 for spring. If you apply after the deadlines you will be able to take classes on a space available basis. The reality is that this is not normally a problem for the RNs. There are other "drop dead deadlines" for each entry semester after which you may not be admitted and I don't know what they are off the top of my head. They should be on the website.

I didn't know when my Decision status changed but I just log in today and it's Decision: Committee ready. Getting nervous here!

Good luck blondell I can't wait until it's my turn to apply I know the wait is killing you!!

Thanks for the warning! It is a little disheartening to hear that there are CNL students who are not happy in the program right now. I personally decided to go this route since I would prefer to knock it out in 16 months and I already have a bachelors. I knew I wasn't going to come out of it being in a manager! I am surprised people would think that. For me the decision to apply for the CNL program was an easy one, but you are kind to warn applicants in case they might be confused about the degree. I have aspirations to continue on for a post-masters, so that is another reason this choice seemed right for me.

Hang in there! What you want to see the next time it changes is "Admit Institution" - break out the champagne when that happens as it means your written offer is going into the mail. Best of luck.

Hi Grey Lady,

Has anyone ever crashed the system checking their status too often

Do you know if Baltimore is planning another open house before the semester in January starts? I had class all day Saturday and unfortunately couldn't attend the open house.

Thank you,
Heather

I am afraid I don't know that - probably not. There will be Information Sessions, which are mostly about the application process but some about the campus. We are having an Open House at Shady Grove on Saturday, October 24, 9 to noon which is what they call a "tabling event" where you can pick up brochures and chat informally with faculty, students, admissions people and more. (See shadygrove.umd.edu) We are also having a CNL program meeting for prospective students with Joan Davenport, one of the co-directors at noon. You are welcome to come even if you will be a Baltimore student - the program is the same just at different locations. I will be there so be sure to say Hi if you come.