SFSU GMSN Fall 2014

U.S.A. California

Published

Has anyone on here applied to this program?

nope, haven't heard anything from other schools, waiting on hearing about getting into BSN programs from SJSU and CSUEB. The only good side of doing a BSN is that it might not be as accelerated so not as difficult. I wonder how hard it is to be a NP after SFSU's program, maybe like another year after to get the NP degree? That would be my ultimate goal, but I think I would probably have to work for at least a year before I applied to NP programs...

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That's good to hear, fancyeyes! I've always been a proponent of higher education, so hopefully you're able to continue doing what you love. I believe you're right; you need some experience before applying to the NP, and I do believe it's 1 (if not 2) years to earn the NP degree.

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Hi everyone! Thank you master641215 for posting this! I applied for the Post-master FNP certificate at SFSU and UCSF. I've been informally rejected by UCSF for their FNP program with 9 years of experience in critical care, 1 year in teaching BSN students, 4 years in correctional health and a 4.0 GPA graduate level. They told me I was a very competitive applicant and they encouraged me to reapply next year. I can't wait another year since UCSF only accept in the Fall, I'm hoping I get into SFSU post-master FNP for the life of me......or else I might just turn crazy.....

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Welcome, v4endetta! Actually, @max79 started this thread; I'm just happy to be a part of it!

Sorry to hear about the news from UCSF. With your impressive GPA and outstanding experience, it's hard to know for sure what exactly schools are looking for in a candidate. For all we know, admissions may be playing a lottery with applicant names (at least, that's how it's done with the community college system).

You mentioned you're applying for the post-master FNP. Does this mean you've earned a master's in nursing degree?

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Thanks master641215! I meant thank you for updating and letting us know when to expect results from SFSU. UCSF is not on a lottery system they had only 15 slots and about 80 MSN-FNP applicants and 6 Post-master FNP applicants. Technically I have about 1.5 months until I graduate in May with an MSN CNL from USF. I figured midway through my MSN program that I do not want to be an advanced generalist nurse.....but more of an advanced practice nurse. I went to SFSU info session last year and they have allotted 20 MSN-FNP spaces and 20 Post-master FNP spaces or if there is more MSN-FNP students and less Post-master FNP it could be 30/10. Master641215 I'm glad you decided to choose nursing as a career, the nursing community and patients would be very fortunate to have you with your background. Well it seems altogether SFSU is offering 40 spaces for FNP, better odds with SFSU. Good luck to everyone out there who applied to the program!

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That's good to hear you're close to completing the MSN CNL from USF, v4endetta! I think a majority of us on this thread are still trying to get into such program, so it's great we have an actual nurse who's currently studying at some of our choice institutions on this forum.

I'm not too keen on the FNP program at SFSU, but if there is one advantage over other universities, I would have to say the cost is definitely lower. I'm not sure how they're able to keep their costs/fees down, but whatever that may be, it seems to be a deciding factor for students to choose SFSU.

Thank you for the kind words! First and foremost, I have to get into the program. Until then, I'm just here venting my anxieties to other nursing/post-nursing hopefuls who are willing to lend an ear!

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Thanks! I'm sure you will master641215 since you are strong candidate with your qualifications. I definitely understand the anxiety! One my friends is in the FNP program at SFSU and so far she likes it. Yes cost is definitely a factor and these universities are trying to make more money by changing the game...trying to eliminate the master FNP route and only having the DNP FNP route. I already owe approximately $80,00 in student loans (undergrad/grad)....I'm shooting for the $100,000 mark j/k...well if I get into SFSU Postmaster FNP program thats another $20,000. One of the reason why I chose FNP because I know I can't work as a bedside nurse forever....physically I can't do that as I age, I would be sacrificing patient care and increase workload for the team. Plus the affordable care act will definitely demand an increase amount of primary care providers and less money for tertiary care. A lot of hospitals are already decreasing the amount of beds in their facilities and that means less bedside nurses.

Cheers to new beginnings and endings master641215!

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The difference is that at SFSU, we will be Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) whereas USF's program leads to a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), and the CNS is an "advanced" Nursing specialty, while a CNL is not.

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True they are both in the advanced realm one is advanced generalist (CNL) and the other is an advanced practice (CNS). Although after reading the White Paper written by the AACN CNL and CNS there is a lot of overlap. CNL focus on microsystems and CNS focus on a specific macrosystem.

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no, I mean to be called a "Advanced Practice Nurse" you have to be a "nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or nurse midwives", at this time they do not include CNLs.

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@v4endetta I know what you mean; debt isn't debt until you've reached the 100k mark! I'm about 30K deep for my undergrad, which means I need 70K to earn that status! Because you already have a CNL under your belt, I'm sure you wouldn't need to work bedside forever. You always have the option of administration, opening a home health agency, board and care, etc. With a masters (and even your experience alone), you have a wide array of avenues to explore that don't necessarily require bedside nursing. In my experience, I know biotech companies that hire nurses to oversee clinical trials for new drugs/drug development.

As for CNL vs CNS, I believe they're just titles. I know of BSNs who assume certain roles that are designated for CNLs/CNSs, and it doesn't make much difference. If you're in it for a title, go for a doctorate. If you're going for nursing for patient benefit, then it doesn't matter what kind of nurse you are.

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LOL master641215! Higher education is so EXPENSIVE! I agreed with you 100% there is not much difference, except the associations or the academic world trying to dig deeper into your pockets. Yes, I truly believe in patient education, empowerment, prevention and primary care...so they won't end up in tertiary care. Too many chronic conditions that can be easily be prevent with the right resources and tools to guide them. I wanted to ask you....you mention you're not too keen on SFSU FNP what's the rationale? Look forward to meeting you.....hopefully we both get in so we can exchange some more ideas!

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