Is CNS masters program a bad idea for regular RN on hospital floor?

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I come from a non nursing background and i just want to become an RN in a hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area as soon as possible. The cheapest option in my area may be an Clinical Nurse Specialist MSN degree at SF State. But will this degree actually prevent me from getting a regular RN job, say in L&D? They offer a women's health specialty.

I am also planning to apply to an ABSN program and a CNL masters program. I just want to be a nurse and want to do it as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. The CNL MSN at USF takes LESS time than completing a BSN as a transfer student (2 years instead of 3 years), and the SF State CNS MSN costs less than the Samuel Merritt ABSN, and you get both a BSN and an MSN.

I don't want to be an advanced practitioner at this time, I just want to be a regular RN on the hospital floor. Given that, is a CNS Masters program a bad idea? Will i not be able to get a regular RN job with this degree?? any insight is welcome. Thanks!

Nope, the FNP option is one year, five courses for ELM-A graduates. 

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
Natalie513 said:
Nope, the FNP option is one year, five courses for ELM-A graduates. 

Yup but if you look at the AMSN the 700 level course for the 5th semester are Advanced Assessment; Pharm; & Patho which are core required courses for all NPs. (NONPF-National Organization of NP Faculty) sets the requirements. That Summer has another class for a total of 13 credits so it sounds challenging. What remains (the 5 classes) are the practicums which do not seem linked to a didactic course and they really should be but oh well. And the roles class also required for NPs. Also, the AMSN each semester has 16 or 17 credits which will also be challenging since clinical will part of that for your RN. Typically as I'm sure you know, 9 credits is considered full time for grad school. Good Luck, keep us posted.

Also, please use the Quote button (bottom right) so we know which post you are responding to.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
Natalie513 said:
Nope, the FNP option is one year, five courses for ELM-A graduates. 

Also they have compiled into a three credit course; pediatrics, women's health & advance assessment for adults. My FNP program women's health was one semester with a practicum where we learned to do paps birth-control, IUDs. I was taught by women's health NPs and midwifes. My second semester was all pediatrics taught by pediatric NPs & also I separate practicum just pediatrics but the second semester we could see women and kids. Third semester was adult advanced assessment taught by an Adult NP, also with a separate practicum where we could see all ages. So it's concerning they have lumped all these into one 3 Credit " across the lifespan" assessment class. It doesn't sound like you will get the details that I got in my FNP classes.

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Natalie,

What did you ultimately decide to do?

I also have a BA + JD, and am pursuing a second career in nursing. I refuse to spend the $$$ on the accelerated BSN or direct entry MSN programs in my area, so I plan to go cheap with an ADN + bridge. The reason I found your post is because I am considering the MSN (CNL) program at SDSU, which would enable me to bridge to the MSN/CNL in the same amount of time as their RN to BSN. This seems like a fabulous deal, in theory, but not if you can't find an entry-level RN job afterwards.

I've read several posters saying that hospitals won't want to hire an entry level MSN/CNL because you are too expensive, but I am not sure how grounded in fact these statements actually are. So, I am curious which program you decided on and why? Also, if any others have opinions on the marketability of the CNL in CA, I would appreciate any information. My (albeit tentative) plan is to pursue the ADN, and then study for NCLEX, pursue the MSN/CNL (will take one year post-ADN), and look for an RN position in inpatient psych. I'd like to work for a few years while I pursue a post-Master's cert as a PMHNP. But, will the CNL hinder me in that pursuit?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My personal comment would be just to do direct entry PMHNP.

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We have one very pricey, ELM-PMHNP in San Diego (@ Azusa Pacific, and still takes 4-5 years). Apart from volunteering in the ED, I have no experience in nursing, yet alone nursing in psych. It seems like a huge financial risk to attend a 100K program that may not end up being a good fit for me. I've already spent 250K+ on my education, so I am loathe to do that again. I cannot move to another location because I have a family, and we own a business in SD.

I can get my ADN + MSN/CNL @ SDSU for peanuts (likely paying as I go). And then, if I decide to pursue the NP cert down the road, I can also do it relatively cheaply at Cal State San Marcos (again, likely paying as I go). That seems like a no-brainer. The only concern I have is the marketability of the CNL.

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Hey there! I ended up only applying to a 12 month ABSN program, I was accepted and I start this spring! We ran the numbers and we could not afford me being off work for more than 13 months (I can return to my lawyer job after I graduate while I look for nursing jobs so it would literally only be 12 months off). I have 3 kids under 5 so we have to pay for full time care for them while I'm in school without an income. If you are in an area where hospitals are hiring ADNs and you can afford 2 years without an income then I think it sounds like a great plan. Bridge to a BSN online.

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Natalie513 said:
Hey there! I ended up only applying to a 12 month ABSN program, I was accepted and I start this Spring! We ran the numbers and we could not afford me being off work for more than 13 months (I can return to my lawyer job after I graduate while I look for nursing jobs so it would literally only be 12 months off). I have 3 kids under 5 so we have to pay for full time care for them while I'm in school without an income. If you are in an area where hospitals are hiring ADNs and you can afford 2 years without an income then I think it sounds like a great plan. Bridge to a BSN online.

Congrats on your ABSN program admission, and good luck!

We can afford for me to be out of work indefinitely (I have already been away from legal practice for 10 years to have babies; I am only going back to work because I want to use my brain to help people vs. helping corporate America). I just don't want to take on a bunch a debt in the process, especially for a second career that I don't "need" to pursue. It is doubtful that I will find a hospital job with an ADN in San Diego; my main concern is the marketability of the CNL for new nurse residencies/floor nurse positions.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree marketability for CNL might be dicey. Also, please understand that CNL is NOT advanced practice. You will still need the 3Ps: advanced patho, advanced pharm and advanced physical assessment as well as a minimum of 500 hours clinical experience for your NP goal.

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The people I know with both CNL and CNS designations don't use them at all- they just went to the programs to get into the field and work as RNs at the bedside. Maybe down the line they will use them but it was just a way into nursing. Congrats on the new career- I'm so excited to get started!!!

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Specializes in Pulmonary & Cardiothoracic Critical Care.

Hey JD2RN: I think you plan sounds great and it's something I'd recommend doing a ADN and then doing a bridge to a BSN or MSN. Also, I think doing a CNL MSN is a smart move. Although a CNL, is not an advanced Practice nurse, it provides a good launching spot for candidates who want to pursue nursing but might want to transition into quality or management roles. Just a word of caution, most hospitals now prefer to hire grads with a BSN or MSN if they're aspirating or a current magnet organization. Magnet makes the distinction that BSN are what they prefer AND a BA or BS does not count towards the hospitals numbers. So it turn, even though you might have a BA acute care hospitals might take a BSN head over a ADN grad with a BA or non-nursing BS.

Natalie, congrats on your acceptance and I'm confident you do exceptionally! All all the best for your future success!

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traumaRUs said:
Agree marketability for CNL might be dicey. Also, please understand that CNL is NOT advanced practice. You will still need the 3Ps: advanced patho, advanced pharm and advanced physical assessment as well as a minimum of 500 hours clinical experience for your NP goal.

Yes. I am aware. The post-MSN PMHNP cert program at CSUSM looks at the individual MSN program to determine any deficiencies (ie a previous MSN-NP is not required for the cert -- just an MSN + any deficiencies). I am actually taking Advanced Patho now (and perhaps Adv Pharma next semester) through UND online to knock it out. It will be good to have as an RN, even if I ultimately decide not to pursue the NP. Since I only have actual nursing classes to complete (vs any GEs), I hope to also knock out Adv Health Assessment while I am finishing the ADN and MSN-CNL.

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