Nola CNL MSN

First time applying. Application status: Under Review. Credco checked my credit 4/20

Hey nursenami4 - I'm interviewing for a position at Ochsner in the IMTA. I would love to hear about your experience and about the unit!

I graduated from the CNL program at UVA this past May. As far as the time commitment, I would say it is definitely more flexible than you would think. During the fall and spring semesters, you only have class 2 days a week. The rest of the week is your time for clinicals, homework, family, etc. Each person will require a different amount of time outside the classroom working on school work. You will find what works for you! There were many group projects, but given the schedule, it was not so bad. On the two days a week that we were in class all day, we had 1-2 hours lunch breaks when groups could meet. Also, many group projects were completed online without any need to much meeting time. There were many people in my cohort with families, jobs, and long commutes. Also, groups tend to form based on those types of things. For example, parents may team up together so work can be scheduled with play dates. Or commuters may team up together based on where they reside. There were a lot of papers as well, but many of them tended to be similar. I reused parts of papers on several occasions. Some of the papers are more time consuming than others, and some were more beneficial than others. If you feel overwhelmed, the professors are very understanding and accommodating if you need more time. None of your questions are silly. They are all valid concerns, especially when you have a family to think about. In my cohort, there were approx. 30 students, maybe 10 of which had children - all different ages. Classmates would help babysit and professors would allow children to come to class, if necessary. One of my classmates even managed to get pregnant and give birth during the program. This program is tough, but it is valuable and worth your while. The faculty and staff are extremely understanding of situational circumstances since this is a program for second career students. Many people go through this program with a list of other priorities to juggle. You will be amazed at how wonderful and important your CNL family will become to you! If you have any other questions, please post!

I had a C in one of my pre-requisite courses, and I was offered acceptance to UVA's CNL program contingent upon retaking the course and getting a higher grade. I took the course again, got an A, and started the CNL program less than one month later. Hope that helps :)

I got my ACLS while I was in my second year of an accelerated nursing program. The skills test required us to get into groups which each individual having a certain role. There was a machine that would depict the dummy's vital signs, and we were required to act out the scene. We had to know which interventions to carry out for different rhythm strips. It was certainly challenging, but everyone in the class passed. Additionally, I think you come out feeling more prepared and relaxed in the event there is a code situation. I also think it's a great thing to be able to have on your resume as a new grad. I think there are also some YouTube videos you can watch to give you an idea of what the skills test may be like. Good luck!

Hey Busby: I recently completed a Direct Entry MSN program at the University of Virginia. I also had a Bachelor's in psychology. My directly entry MSN was unique in that the MSN was not an advanced practice or management masters but rather the CNL route (clinical nurse leader). This degree allows me to work as a bedside nurse. The program was 2 years, and I did not obtain a BSN in the process. If/when I am ready to return to school whether it be for an NP role or otherwise, I will not need to obtain a second masters but rather a post-masters certificate. I felt it was important for me to gain bedside experience and really learn the ins and outs of the nursing role. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, I would check out some CNL programs. My curriculum included various leadership, management, and research courses, in addition to my basic nursing and assessment courses. I also completed clinical rotations in L&D, med-surg, critical care, psych, peds, community health, etc. I also got to pick a unit to complete my capstone project on, which is basically the equivalent to a master's thesis. I worked on the unit for an entire year conducting a quality improvement study. I only had classes two days a week, which left for ample clinical time. All my clinical time was done under a direct preceptor on the unit (much like a new orientee would do). Hope this helps, and I hope you make the right decision for you!

Has anyone had any experience working at Ochsner on the cardiology or cardiology stepdown unit? I had a chance to tour the unit, but I didn't get time to really talk with the nurses about how the work environment is (i.e., relationships, work-load, management, etc.). I feel like it may be a good fit for me, but I would love to get some input from those who have been in the nitty gritty, so to speak. Thanks