all those who have been through or are considering UT's CNL program

TNnurse78 · Nov 8, 2009

Hello! The reason no one has replied to your post yet is probably because we are the first official class of MSN-CNLs at UT! We started in June 2009. I CAN tell you alot about what I know so far though. It's a great program. I think that it was moderately competitive for our admission class. The reason I say moderately competitive is simply because not as many people were aware of this program for our class as they will be for the 2010 entering class. I think it will become increasingly competitive over the years as more people find out about it, since it is pretty much the only program where you can get a Master's in Nursing without already having your RN license or prior NUrsing experience.

My overall undergraduate GPA was 3.5, and I haven't taken the GRE since it was not required for the CNL program (another plus!). In my personal attachment, I included everything that they ask for on their website. It's the same application stuff you would normally fill out, and you also submit your answers to 2 questions pertaining to nursing (specifically the impact that CNL nurses have on healthcare) that they include with you application packet. You can look at those questions on their website right now though, unless they have changed it. They highly base your admission on those answers, because it was pretty much the only thing besides your grades that sets you apart from someone else applying for the program.

In my interview the main question I was asked was WHY I wanted my career to be in Nursing, and what did I expect to contribute to Healthcare. They like to know that you have done your research on what it means to be a CNL. You can find this out by reasearch, or by watching the videos on UT's website that talks about it. I felt like what my interviewer really wanted to find out about me was if I was compassionate about helping people, and that I had thought about my decision to enter the Nursing field as something I really wanted, rather than something I could get a degree out of.

For the difficulty of the program question, my best answers is it varies. Since all of us have undergraduate degrees in a ton of different fields, it may be easier or harder for some people. I had a degree in a science field, so I took to the testing format and class style very well. Some people with business type degrees struggled at first (not all of them, but like I said it varies), but the ones who were dedicated to being successful in the program are still in there with us. We started our with 75-80 people in our class. We are down to 53. It's not a terribly hard program, but it is alot of work. You have to be willing to study, know how to study, and know how to take a Nursing exam. They are nothing like any kind of exam you have taken before, and if you struggle in the beginning, you need to ask for help in the beginning. Our classes are very fast paced, so you have to make sure you don't get behind from the very beginning. I feel like it is totally worth it to be a part of this program though, and I have already learned so much in the few short months we have been in school.

Alot of our class intends to apply for the cRNA program. You don't have to have a BSN to apply. You just have to have a BSN or higher degree (so our MSN degree is accepted) and an RN license. I DO think a few people did get in who had under a 3.1, but I do not think that will be the case next year since twice the amount of people came to our informative meeting about the program last week. I really think alot more people know about the program than they did when I applied, but GRE scores aren't really relevant to this program so far.

I hoped I helped you out a little :) Let me know if you need to know anything else. I feel like this program has alot to offer, and it is the only one I have seen so far where you can crank out an RN license and a Master's degree in only 2 years. Bring your dedication and your love for your PTs and you should do great! GOOD LUCK!

rrkeni · Nov 8, 2009

Oh! Thank you so much for your response, for taking the time and be that detail. One thing though, I think I made a mistake in the school's name.The program I'm talking abt is univrsity of Toledo in ohio. My guess is ur talking abt University of Texas coz toledo's program does require GRE and it start in the fall.

Thank u so much for the concern.

TNnurse78 · Dec 11, 2009

I was talking about The University of Tennessee Health Science Center actually...not Texas. lol But alot of that information is probabyl relevant to any school. Good luck!

memphisgal07 · Feb 10, 2010

Hi there :) I just wanted to let you know how helpful this post was, and also wanted to ask you some questions. I just got the call today to interview next Wed. for the CNL program at UT Memphis. I am very excited about the program, and would like to go into the interview as prepared as possible. Is this interview a high pressured interview (ie- tricky questions asked by a panel) or more of a laid back "getting to know you" meeting. Also, if you get invited to interview, are you pretty much accepted pending a good interview, or are you still competing with several people to get in? Any tips for me going into it? Thanks for your time, and if you are at the luncheon on Wed. I look forward to meeting you!

brianprimm · Sep 24, 2010

An old topic, but I feel the need to weigh in.

University of Toledo's CNL program is great, I graduated in 2009. Our class was about 31, down from 35 in the start. (8 of which were man-nurses) as I recall there were about 80-90 applicants that year. The following year there were only about 17 admitted, and about 30-40 applicants. I passed my CNL exam before my RN, both on the first try.

For the most part, our class was comprised of 25-30 year olds that had finished a degree, headed out and got a job, and shifted gears. Several of us were second career types, and I think the mix is helpful. There was a large spread of undergrad degrees, from arts to business and science.

I would guess that the GRE and GPA is less important than being motivated during your interview, and making sure you have all the prereqs. The few that I talked to averaged about 1000 GRE, and 3.2 and up GPA.

Having a good reason for becoming a nurse helps: "A bigger paycheck" is not the answer they are looking for. And even though you will get out with an MSN, expect to grind it out for at least two years as a staff RN to get your feet wet, and catch flak from the ADN-BSN crowd who are disappointed that you skipped a few steps.

But I wouldn't change it for a second! I plan on applying to CRNA schools next year. Good luck!

Athena2802 · Dec 12, 2011

This helped me a lot but I have some questions. Does UTHSC accept other nursing classes that you have taken? I withdrew from Baptist, in good standing, due to medical leave. ALSO, do you receive a bachelor's degree of nursing as well as a masters? Just curious because some schools can give you a bachelor's and masters, while others only give you the masters. Finally, How did you and your graduating class do? What is the percentage of people who have passed?

runforfun · Mar 5, 2012

For UTHSC Memphis, from what I understood, they previously did not award a bachelor's degree, only the MSN. I believe starting with the fall 2012 class, they will be awarding a BSN after so many semesters (3 I believe). After the BSN has been awarded, students will still need to complete the program in order to earn their MSN and CNL. When I was told this, the wording made it a bit unclear if this was the concrete plan or whether it was still something to be decided before the fall semester begins.

I hope this helps! Admissions decisions for UT should come in this week! Good luck to everyone who has applied there, as well as other MSN programs :)

runforfun · Mar 8, 2012

Update: I got worried and was wondering why I hadn't heard back from UT. I emailed the admissions office and was told that decisions will not be made until FRIDAY next week The wait is making me so so nervous. Is anyone else waiting to hear back?