UMD Accelerated BSN program now is Clinical Nurse Leader Program

Trauma Columnist · Mar 19, 2005

Just my $0.02 worth, but going straight into the MSN program might be more beneficial in the long run.

TLR03 · Mar 19, 2005

I want to become a CNM, so I just don't see what good it would be to get two master's in nursing. Not to mention, from the research I did, it seems like a lot of employers prefer you to have a BSN along with your master's. I guess I really annoyed that Maryland did not notify me before sending me the acceptance letter.

smile123 · Mar 20, 2005

I just got my acceptance letter from the University of Maryland. I had applied to the accelerated BSN program, but got a letter that they have replaced the Accelerated BSN program with a master's level Clinical Nurse Leader Program. Has anyone else gotten accepted into this program? I was quite surprised to hear about this for the first time now given that I sent my application in December! They hardly included any information about the program itself. Does anyone know anything about the program? If you have been accepted are you planning on going even though you applied for the BSN? I was planning on going to Maryland if I got accepted, but after this surprise I am thinking I might just pay the extra money to go to Hopkins. At least I know what I applied for there.

That is really strange for UMD. What does a clinical nurse leader do? Do you get a BSN or not? How long is it? Do they have clinicals or is it more for people to become educators? I would ask a lot of questions before sending in a deposit for this!

If you do go to Hopkins, I'll see you there! I'm in the accelerated BSN starting in June!

Smile123

PennyLane, RN · Mar 20, 2005

I'm very surprised to hear this, considering they're in the process of revamping the BSN curriculum. I'll check out their website for more info. I just graduated from their accelerated BSN program and didn't hear any hint of this.

Summitk2 · Mar 26, 2005

I also just received my acceptance letter after applying to the accelerated BSN program. I was also surprised, especially after hearing so many great things about their accelerated program... why nix the whole program? I found it odd that they considered a masters program to be a suitable replacement for a bachelors program ("Here--have this orange instead of an apple!"). Like someone else pointed out, there are many reasons why people pursue a bachelors instead of a masters.

This program, for those who don't know, is 16 months of intense study, like the accelerated BSN, and prepares you to take the NCLEX. However, you are not awarded a degree after 16 mos. Once you pass the NCLEX, you are an RN and prepared to be merged into the already-existing masters program. Once you finish this, you are then awarded your masters. There are many programs like this around the country, and are usually called "entry-level masters" or "masters-immersion program" or something like that.

I was also slightly peaved that we weren't notified of this change. Their website still has all the information for those interested in the accelerated BSN program! I can't find ANY information about this CNL program on the website; I even did a search of the site and nothing popped up!

I had already decided on Hopkins, so this wasn't a huge issue for my school choices. But to think of the dozens of hours my recommenders and I spent in preparing the application for UMD... not to mention the now pointless $50 application fee. I sent an email asking to be refunded the fee.

I can't imagine many people are going to accept enrollment to this new program. Why be the guinnea pig?? I've read nightmare stories of people in the first class of a new program. And now instead of 16 months for your education, you're looking at 3-4 years to get a masters (16 mos + 2-3 years for masters). That's a lot of tuition and time.

TLR03--Did you apply anywhere besides those 2 schools? Did you meet the priority deadline for financial aid at Hopkins? Hopkins can provide way more scholarships and grants than the state schools, and can even cost less in the end than UMD.

Summitk2

smile123 · Mar 26, 2005

I also just received my acceptance letter after applying to the accelerated BSN program (for the U. of Maryland). I was also surprised, especially after hearing so many great things about their accelerated program... why nix the whole program? I found it odd that they considered a masters program to be a suitable replacement for a bachelors program ("Here--have this orange instead of an apple!"). Like someone else pointed out, there are many reasons why people pursue a bachelors instead of a masters.
This program, for those who don't know, is 16 months of intense study, like the accelerated BSN, and prepares you to take the NCLEX. However, you are not awarded a degree after 16 mos. Once you pass the NCLEX, you are an RN and prepared to be merged into the already-existing masters program. Once you finish this, you are then awarded your masters. There are many programs like this around the country, and are usually called "entry-level masters" or "masters-immersion program" or something like that.
I had already decided on Hopkins, so this wasn't a huge issue for my school choices. But to think of the dozens of hours my recommenders and I spent in preparing the application for UMD... not to mention the now pointless $50 application fee. I sent an email asking to be refunded the fee.
Summitk2

Hi Summitk2 and TLR03,

Yes, I agree with you. It sounds like a "bait and switch". Just to let you know, most Masters direct entry programs (for bachelor degree people who have a non-RN degree) have these accelerated programs. You do not get a BSN/RN, only an RN. So that means you have to go on for the masters (another 2 years after the first 16 months for the RN) to get a degree. The problem is, what if you don't want to continue in the program? You would have a RN, but it has no degree associated with it. You don't have a AD or a BS! So you are in limbo land. (U. Penn and Hopkins are some of the ones that do offer a BSN/RN as well as the masters during the program.)

For people who originally applied just for a BSN/RN as you did, this is a shock. They could have told you guys upfront before you spent the time and effort to apply!

I am going to Hopkins. I'll be in their accelerated BSN/RN program with the flexibility to go on for a masters. Hopkins knows what they are doing. They give you the BSN/RN, the prestigious name recognition and stellar faculty and state of the art equipment/facilities for your education. Then if you want, you can always apply for the master's program. They will even allow you to defer a year in between the BSN and the masters if you want to gain work experience as a RN.

I think it's a shame that UMD did this to this year's applicants. It sounds like they want you for another 2 years (and your tuition) in order to obtain a RN degree! (I too, had looked on their website when this topic came up, and saw nothing about it.) See you at Hopkins SummitK2! Good luck in making your decision TLR03!

Smile123

PennyLane, RN · Mar 27, 2005

But to think of the dozens of hours my recommenders and I spent in preparing the application for UMD... not to mention the now pointless $50 application fee. I sent an email asking to be refunded the fee.

:madface: I would skip the email and go straight for a phone call or letter to the dean to demand your $50 back. That is unbelievable that they're changing their program that much. Again, I JUST graduated from there and heard a lot about how they're changing the BSN curriculum--combining some classes, making others longer, etc., but there was no talk at all of this huge change. I can't believe that they're having trouble filling their Master's degree programs. Why would they do this?

bigmona · Mar 27, 2005

i agree, that is so wrong!! I am in the accelerated program and haven't heard anything at all about switching the entire program to something else. weird.

I would skip the email and go straight for a phone call or letter to the dean to demand your $50 back. That is unbelievable that they're changing their program that much. Again, I JUST graduated from there and heard a lot about how they're changing the BSN curriculum--combining some classes, making others longer, etc., but there was no talk at all of this huge change. I can't believe that they're having trouble filling their Master's degree programs. Why would they do this?

smile123 · Mar 27, 2005

i agree, that is so wrong!! I am in the accelerated program and haven't heard anything at all about switching the entire program to something else. weird.

Hi Bigmona,

Are you are in the UMD accelerated program now or just in another accelerated program at a different school? Perhaps UMD is just changing it for this year's class and beyond. That is such a major change that I'm surprised there aren't more complaints. Or maybe there are, but the other accepted students don't know about it. Keep us posted! I hope you get your $50 back!

Smile123

TLR03 · Mar 28, 2005

Hi SummitK2,

I did only apply to the two programs because I have to stay in Baltimore. I have not had a chance to talk to Maryland yet since I got my letter last Friday night and immediately left for a week's vacation out of the country. I am planning on calling the school first thing Monday morning. I did e-mail the admissions director and did not get a response. I hope this is not an indication of the response I will get tomorrow when I try to talk to someone about this mess.

From the breif description they sent with the acceptance letter, I thought they awarded you a master's after the 16 month program (the cost is for master's credits for the 16 month program)? I am definitely not accepting after reading your description of the program.

I think I will probably go to Hopkins since I can't say I am at all impressed with UMD after this stunt.

Has everyone heard about Merit Schlarships at Hopkins yet?

smile123 · Mar 28, 2005

Hi SummitK2,
I did only apply to the two programs because I have to stay in Baltimore.
From the breif description they sent with the acceptance letter, I thought they awarded you a master's after the 16 month program (the cost is for master's credits for the 16 month program)? I am definitely not accepting after reading your description of the program.
I think I will probably go to Hopkins since I can't say I am at all impressed with UMD after this stunt.
Has everyone heard about Merit Schlarships at Hopkins yet?

All notifications for the merit scholarships for JHU have been given. They called you and left a detailed message if you were not home.

Do call UMD as Monday as you indicated and ask them exactly what the program entails. It's best to get it from directly from the horses mouth!

Good luck TLR03! Let us know what happens!

Smile123