CNL program at University of Maryland

JLSELD · Apr 5, 2009

I'm in the same place as you...looking at Spring '10. My GPA is 3.4. I also have concerns about the CNL program. It seems like there are alot of differing opinions. What exactly is it? Even the AACN explantion seems vague. Unclear about it's role in the workforce. Is it worth the grad. level tuition because it's not advanced practice? How will it affect going on to pursue advanced degrees. I wish UMD had a accelerated BSN. It's hard for me because I am out of state right now, working full time and taking class on the weekends and cant go to the information sessions. Hopefully will be back in the state soon, maybe not soon enough to qualify for in-state rates though. Oh the decisions!

Blondell · Apr 5, 2009

It's the fast track I guess in the short period of time. If you do community college you still need BSN for some specialist degree, like CRNA.

sewnew · Apr 5, 2009

Hi all!

I am planning on applying to UMD's CNL for fall 2010. I attended one of their information sessions last summer and it was really helpful. I would highly recommend attending one of them if it is at all possible. They give you an overview of the program itself and they also give you step-by-step instructions for approaching the admissions process. The only thing that I wish they would have done is taken you on a tour of the building (which by the way is gorgeous!).

From what they said at the session, the minimum GPA for admission is a 3.0. So that may not be a problem as long as it is above 3.0. However, it is very competitive. Only 50 people out of 200 applicants per semester are accepted.

The most attractive part of the admission requirements for me was that they DO NOT require the GRE. This is just nice because it eliminates another hoop to jump through.

Tuition is $493 per credit for MD residents.

http://www.umaryland.edu/institutionalresearch/tuition/parttime.html

I am curious if you are planning on applying for the 16 or 23 month option. Want to hear the pros and cons of both.

futurenrs2010 · Apr 5, 2009

Hey All,

The CNL program is a great program at the University of Maryland. I am currently a Traditional BSN student at the University. The Traditional BSN and CNL students have almost all classes together during the first and second semester. We are all one big family. The CNL students, however, are going to be graduating a semester earlier than us. That's going to be very sad for the rest of us Traditional BSN students.

But, be very careful applying into the CNL program. Just to clarify, you are not earning a Master's Nursing Degree. When you graduate, you will consider a generalist nurse just like any other traditional BSN student. If you want to become a practitioner, you will have to do another Master's program just like any other Traditional BSN. As a CNL student, your tuition will cost more than a Traditional BSN student. Also, with the already heavy workload of the traditional BSN student, CNL students will have additional research, careplans, and a few other requirements to fulfillduring the school year.

Once again, the program is very good. However, some of my CNL friends now wish they had just applied for the Traditional BSN. Therefore, please go to the information sessions. Ask a lot of questions, and be sure that this is what you want to do instead of Traditional BSN.

FUN FACTS:

By the end of this summer, the brand new University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus Student Service Building will be open. It is going to have a brand new gym, pool, cafe, study and computer room, and many new amenities. The best part is that this building, for the whole campus, will be access through its main entrance, but the Nursing students will have our own personal direct entrance from our building. That is because the Nursing building will be attached to the Student Service Center. BONUS!

sewnew · Apr 6, 2009

Hey All,
The CNL program is a great program at the University of Maryland. I am currently a Traditional BSN student at the University. The Traditional BSN and CNL students have almost all classes together during the first and second semester. We are all one big family. The CNL students, however, are going to be graduating a semester earlier than us. That's going to be very sad for the rest of us Traditional BSN students.
But, be very careful applying into the CNL program. Just to clarify, you are not earning a Master's Nursing Degree. When you graduate, you will consider a generalist nurse just like any other traditional BSN student. If you want to become a practitioner, you will have to do another Master's program just like any other Traditional BSN. As a CNL student, your tuition will cost more than a Traditional BSN student. Also, with the already heavy workload of the traditional BSN student, CNL students will have additional research, careplans, and a few other requirements to fulfillduring the school year.
Once again, the program is very good. However, some of my CNL friends now wish they had just applied for the Traditional BSN. Therefore, please go to the information sessions. Ask a lot of questions, and be sure that this is what you want to do instead of Traditional BSN.
FUN FACTS:
By the end of this summer, the brand new University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus Student Service Building will be open. It is going to have a brand new gym, pool, cafe, study and computer room, and many new amenities. The best part is that this building, for the whole campus, will be access through its main entrance, but the Nursing students will have our own personal direct entrance from our building. That is because the Nursing building will be attached to the Student Service Center. BONUS!

Just want to clarify. Yes, the CNL is not a master's SPECIALTY (i.e. NP, CNS, etc.), but it is a GENERALIST'S degree at the MASTER'S level. That's the major difference between the BSN and CNL. Since it is at the master's level, that's why you have the extra research, assignments, etc. That is also why the tuition is more expensive.

The major advantage with the CNL is that since you already have a bachelor's degree, you'll be moving forward with your higher education. And then when you do want to go on to specialize, you'll have two master's degrees on your resume instead of two bachelor's degrees. Also, with the CNL, you can automatically go on to earn a post-master's certificate in a specialty.

I also want to reiterate to go to the info. sessions or the open house. It really is a crucial step in the admissions process.

Thanks for the heads up about the new student activites center. That sounds like a really nice perk!

Jaysie1 · Aug 3, 2009

I am wondering if you made a decision about which program to apply to? I am still considering the CNL, but would really like to hear from someone either in it, or who has graduated from it.

Blondell · Aug 3, 2009

I just applied online to the CNL 16 month program. I still waiting for the two documents and then I will send it out. I though also will apply for couple different community colleges in case I don't get in at UMB. I heard good thing about the CNL program. I also read a lot of post by UMB students on this website. Good luck to your decision!

cheertt2 · Aug 3, 2009

I am also considering this program, however I am wondering whether or not it is worth it to do this program rather than the BSN prorgam, considering that they both prepare you for the same thing.

*ac* · Aug 3, 2009

It depends on what you want to do.

Do you want to go into an ICU-type setting? You will have more opportunity for clinicals in these settings as a CNL, which could get your foot in the door for hire later. In every specialty, CNL's get the preferred choices for clinical sites.

Do you want to go into management? Management jobs often prefer master's degrees and experience. It doesn't seem to matter what the masters is in.

If you want to go into an advanced practice specialty, you will have to go back to school either way.

You will come out of school making the same money either way, but the CNL will cost a ton more.

Blondell · Aug 3, 2009

I agree with *ac*. It's really depend. I just want to be in school the lease amount of time. I don't mind the intensity. The CNL also provide the some graduate course which if I want to do the specialty later I don't need to take some of the class. But that's not the main reason. Even though it's pricey but it's not that bad compare to JHU-accelerated BSN.

sewnew · Aug 3, 2009

It depends on what you want to do.
Do you want to go into an ICU-type setting? You will have more opportunity for clinicals in these settings as a CNL, which could get your foot in the door for hire later. In every specialty, CNL's get the preferred choices for clinical sites.
Do you want to go into management? Management jobs often prefer master's degrees and experience. It doesn't seem to matter what the masters is in.
If you want to go into an advanced practice specialty, you will have to go back to school either way.
You will come out of school making the same money either way, but the CNL will cost a ton more.

I didn't know that CNL students gets first choice for clinical placements, but I am really glad to hear that especially since critical care/ICU really interests me.

I am planning on applying for the fall 2010 semester.