Anyone graduated from a clinical nurse leader program?

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Published

I'm applying to a direct-entry clinical nurse leader program right now and I'm curious to know whether there are any students or graduates of such programs out there that can talk about their experience. I know it's a very new program and the information on it from the AACN seems somewhat vague. I'm wondering what people are actually doing with the degree or plan to do with it. Thanks!

Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Something to keep in mind...

There is a role for massage therapists who are also nurses. I hired one for my wife who spent five days on L&D... the only reason the perinatologist would OK it was because she was also an L&D nurse. There's also evidence indicating efficacy of massage in the NICU. In both cases - as with everything in nursing - one must find enlightened physicians to permit such interventions.

While I wouldn't dissuade you from nursing in general, I'd really caution you about jumping into the USF program. That's a ton of debt to take on as a 40-something with some significant risk of obtaining employment upon graduation. The Bay Area is one of the most competitive job markets in the entire country, especially for new grads.

Thank you SO much for your insight, ♪♫ in my ♥. It's very refreshing to hear a DEMSN Graduate's side of the story. There are so many disheartening comments from current nurses who dislike being a nurse and who equally dislike DE programs. I stopped reading them after having a glimpse of one thread dedicated to dissing the DE graduates' ability to provide quality patient care because of perceived inadequate training or lack of patient care experience. After reading a few comments and seeing the bias from more experienced and knowledgeable nurses, it scared me a bit to think that some of them may be my future preceptors and co-workers. I will be starting a program in the Fall and I'm very excited. I've also become more determined than ever to excel in the program, absorb as much information as I can (without going nuts), and get as much experience as I could out in the field. All these not only because I strongly believe I have the capability to make a lot of difference but to prove bigots wrong. No one is old (or young) enough have a career change. That philosopy is true even in nursing.

I do not regret the route that I chose because (a) it was the fastest way through (as you said, none of this lottery/waiting list nonsense), (b) it was at a public university which, while much costlier than a community college, was much (much, much) cheaper than a program like USF's, and © I did earn a MS degree which, after I attain sufficient experience, will qualify me to work as a clinical instructor or adjunct faculty.

I also think that the CNL curriculum provides a knowledge base and mindset which is sorely needed in nursing. In my case, much of the material was similar to subjects from my process engineering background but many of my classmates had never been exposed to systems-level and predictive analysis.

I am hoping that when the time comes for me to find another job that my graduate degree and CNL certification will count for something. We do have a local VA hospital who does hire CNLs but they require 5 years of nursing experience.

I do not presently work as a CNL and, in fact, I'd probably not choose to barring a dearth of alternate options though perhaps my opinion will change as I get older.

I did not enter the CNL with any health care or nursing experience (save my CNA which I earned just prior to beginning the program).

Nearly two years out from graduation and most of my classmates have found work though not all of them (and not all of them in acute-care facilities).

Acknowledging the evident bias against the DEMSN programs, I will tell you that myself and most of my classmate were very well received in the clinical units where we studied. We often heard comments like, "Really, you're first-semester nursing students???" That may be more due to the fact that we tended to be older and more accomplished than the students from the local ASN and BSN programs, though.

All in all, I don't regret the path that I chose in order to get into nursing but I think I might feel differently if I had coughed up $70,000 to go to school.

I have mixed feelings about having chosen to enter the nursing profession in favor of alternate options which I didn't pursue and which are no longer available to me.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Thank you SO much for your insight, ♪♫ in my ♥. It's very refreshing to hear a DEMSN Graduate's side of the story. There are so many disheartening comments from current nurses who dislike being a nurse and who equally dislike DE programs. I stopped reading them after having a glimpse of one thread dedicated to dissing the DE graduates' ability to provide quality patient care because of perceived inadequate training or lack of patient care experience. After reading a few comments and seeing the bias from more experienced and knowledgeable nurses, it scared me a bit to think that some of them may be my future preceptors and co-workers.
You're welcome.

Due to the biases, I chose not to reveal to my coworkers that I had an MSN until just recently, now that I'm a proven commodity.

The funny thing about the perceptions regarding clinical experience *isn't* that my program had nearly the same clinical hours as the local ASN program. The funny thing to me is that if you're taught *good practice* and *thinking* skills then you're fine even if you haven't performed a skill before. Really, this stuff ain't rocket science.

You're welcome.

Due to the biases, I chose not to reveal to my coworkers that I had an MSN until just recently, now that I'm a proven commodity.

The funny thing about the perceptions regarding clinical experience *isn't* that my program had nearly the same clinical hours as the local ASN program. The funny thing to me is that if you're taught *good practice* and *thinking* skills then you're fine even if you haven't performed a skill before. Really, this stuff ain't rocket science.

So it's possible to be discrete with your DEMSN? Were you treated like any other RN? ((I had thoughts of getting harrassed because everyone would know, or my supervisor would have told my coworkers ahead of time, or something paranoid like that.))

Also, do CNLs replace hospital social workers, or are they on different terf completely?

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
So it's possible to be discrete with your DEMSN? Were you treated like any other RN? ((I had thoughts of getting harrassed because everyone would know, or my supervisor would have told my coworkers ahead of time, or something paranoid like that.))
Sure, it's quite possible. I did have to ask them not to put MSN on my name badge which they didn't mind.

The biggest concern is when the bias flows from the management themselves. I don't know personally how much this happens.

Also, do CNLs replace hospital social workers, or are they on different terf completely?
Very few hospitals actually have CNLs so it's really hard to say what they do or don't do. The idea isn't for the CNL to replace anybody... it's to forge a new role. That said, it sure looks a whole lot like case management though with more of a bedside clinical planning component.
Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

Let me play devil's advocate for a minute. I know that the intentions of those who started the clinical nurse leader program had good intentions, but maybe it is the title that is throwing people off. I must admit that when I first came across these programs I was shocked that someone without nursing experience can have the title of a nurse leader. Maybe they should have given it another title. I must admit, though, I am starting to see clarification of the degree and role on school websites. I think working nurses are frustrated because a lot of what is listed in the job description of the CNL is what we as bedside nurses do for our patients in the ICU. I've even heard nursing instructors complain or question the validity of this new CNL role.

I also notice a lot of attention being paid to 2nd degree and alternate entry MSN programs throughout academia. It just seems odd that someone can go through 15 months of a nursing program but they are considered more valuable/attractive than an ADN or diploma RN. I feel like I'm scratching and clawing my way into a MSN program with 7 yrs of ICU experience.

It all boils down to the divisive nature we,, as nurses have as a whole. If we could somehow learn to work together we could accomplish so much! We are the largest profession of healthcare professionals; it's time we start acting like it!!

+ Add a Comment