Anybody CNL-UVA?

SouthernComfort31 · Dec 23, 2007

Minty,

I'm a first year in the CNL program. I also suggest attending one of the recruiting panels they hold, (perhaps in the spring?) to get a variety of student perspectives.

Take care.

ems2scrubs · Dec 24, 2007

Minty,

I'm a 2nd year UVA CNL student who will begin my CNL practicum in February, and I would be happy to answer any questions you have. As an individual who has worked in pre-hospital care & in the hospital prior to the program, I feel that I can offer you a lot of information.

Have a Merry Christmas! :)

Minty80 · Dec 24, 2007

Thanks guys for your guidance!

Now my questions-

I wonder if they accept anatomy and physiology course from community college which is 161 and 162 as pre-requisites.

I understand that the CNL graduate will enter in profession as an entry level nurse. How the masters (CNL) degree will help them to progress in career. I mean what difference does it make if you can do the same things with associate degree. Do you get benefit while applying for NP or other advanced practice nursing courses as compared to nursing bachlors?

What kind of background do you or your classmates have? Do you need work experience (in any field)before applying ?

Thanks for your time.

Merry Christmas!

Minty.

ems2scrubs · Dec 28, 2007

Minty, I will try to answer your questions...

I believe an A&P course from a community college would be sufficient. There are a lot of CNLs that come into the program with non-science bachelor degrees, so I'm sure many took an A&P course through a community college.

And you are correct that a CNL will enter the nursing profession as an entry-level nurse. However, from what I understand, some hospitals across the country have created specific CNL positions for CNL grads where others have not. It is my understanding that with a CNL degree you will be able to move up the clinical ladder faster than a bachelor's prepared or associates nurse.

I think where the CNL differs from the BSN or ADN nurse is that the CNL takes a lot of courses in leadership studying work environment, horizontal leadership, team leading, costs/benefits, etc. The program focuses on the overall profession of nursing & looks beyond the skills needed to perform bedside care to include: the overall healthcare system (Medicare/Medicaid); nurse-to-patient ratios; the benefits of Magnet status; the current problems in nursing; and prepares the CNL to take a more progressive stance in patient care and the overall effectiveness of healthcare systems.

The CNL Program is hard work & keeps you busy. The greatest benefit is that you are 1:1 with a preceptor (a nurse) working on the floor you are assigned for each clinical rotation. In addition, in the final spring & summer semester you complete a 500 hour practicum/project in an area of your choice. It is this 1:1, 500 hour practicum that gives you an edge over the BSN & ADN prepared nurse. It is the school of nursing's hope that you will know what area of nursing you would like to go into & that this practicum will prepare you to be able to be a leader in that field when you come out of the program. However, even if you don't know which area of nursing you want to go into by then, it will still be beneficial.

As far as my classmates' backgrounds, we have 5 or so Returning Peace Corps Volunteers, some individuals with history degrees, an ex-NASA employee, some people who worked as PCAs/Care Partners/EMTs prior to the program...it's really an array of backgrounds/ages/undergrad degrees. Interestingly, half of my classmates already had master's degrees. I, personally, had an undergrad degree in Kinesiology/Psychology, experience in volunteer Fire/EMS, & worked as a Care Partner at MCV/VCU Medical Center. I think working in a hospital/in the pre-hospital field prior to the program certainly has its advantages.

As far as required work experience, I believe you just have to have some form of healthcare-related experience...could be volunteering in a hospital, nursing home, medical clinic in another country, helping with the care of a family member, etc. etc.

You can PM me if you have any other questions.:)

Minty80 · Dec 31, 2007

Thanks ems2scrubs!

I really appreciate your help. I was hoping for the same answers as you provided. I will be starting my pre-requisites from 7th January at local community college and apply for fall 09 . Hope it works out well.

jhoonk · Mar 4, 2008

Minty80 et. al,

This thread explains the CNL role most accurately. Other threads have people,

not being aware of CNL's, complaining about it even before they graduate!

CNL is completely different concept than CNS or NP. Yes, CNLs need to be

expert clinician in their field and they will be in a few years, but the education

for CNL is to help them see the health care as a whole, as a system. Nursing

shortages come from the system and CNLs will help units increase attrition

rates and improve patient outcome. No, they are not charge nurses, not

case managers, not CNSs. And yes, they will jump in to help out other nurses

and work 100% clinically. They are definitely not nurse managers.

Right now, even schools who have these programs do not

have any ideas how these new CNLs will change the nursing fields.

It all depends on the nursing and hospital administrators who have visions

and hopes that nursing field should and can change. (yes, we can! ;-)

This is an example of CNL education, in this case community nursing,

that has broadened one CNL student's perspective on community health care:

http://healthydanes.blogspot.com/

Not that it was necessary for CNL education but it was an experience that

money couldn't buy, whether you are a CNL student or non-CNL student.

ems2scrubs · Mar 12, 2008

here's a new article on how the cnl is being used at the bedside:

http://include.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=/20080310/mw02/803100306

jimva · Mar 27, 2008

Hi,

I have been accepted to UVA's CNL program but I have not accepted yet. I am married and have 3 kids. I was wondering what type of weekly time commitment is required in the program. I have only talked to single CNL students at UVA and they have said they spend anywhere from 40 to 60 hours a week on class/study/clinicals. I know of other students in BSN programs who are able to work 2 part time job, study, go to class and do clinicals. Is the 40 to 60 hours a week really accurate? I would like to get the perspective of someone with a family that is in or has gone through the program. Also, what other advice do you have for people about to go through the program?

Thanks

tbr999 · Nov 13, 2008

Hello,

I'm now taking pre req Anatomy and Developmental Psych classes at Piedmont.

I would love to hear more about the CNL. Could someone in the program now please reply, as I have some questions and concerns.

Thanks so much, Tim

jimva · Nov 15, 2008

I was accepted to both UVA's CNL program and Piedmont's ADN program. I also had a friend who was starting her second year in the CNL program. My friend was very pleased with the program but stated that she spent 50 to 60 hrs a week with classes, clinicals, studying and homework. The program is an excellent program but it is very time intensive. Piedmont's program was not and only requires about 20-25hrs a week. The downside is you don't have the leadership classes, one on one mentorship, the master's degree or double the clinical experience that you get with the CNL program. Due to being a parent of three small kids and needing to support them while in school, I went with the ADN program. If you have time, the CNL program is a good deal. If you don't, then doing an ADN puts you back about 2.5 to 3 years behind in getting your masters. Best of luck.

tbr999 · Nov 20, 2008

Hi Jimva,

Hope the studies at PVCC are going well. I love the classes I've taken there. I'm taking David Moyer's Anatomy and Phys now.

Are you up at PVCC much? It would be fun to cross paths.

Hope the kids are well.

All the best, Tim