University of San Francisco MSN-CNL for non-nurses

[sbstaples12]

Hi,

I will be applying to the MSN Clinical Nurse Leader for Non-nurses for Spring 2015. I did not see any other threads.....I am looking to hear from those who are familiar with this program and could offer some advise. Mainly, I love the sound of the program (bust it out in 2 years) and the city - and I think I have a good shot of getting accepted (BS in Nutrition w/ 3.85 GPA, worked for 3 years as RD and should have great references and all that jazz), went to the info session and I did ask "do the graduates feel that it was worth the money? Do they have trouble paying it off? Are they generally happy with the decision to spend $85,000 plus living expenses of SF?" The admission reps obviously had great things to say, and the pass rate on NCLEX is outstanding, but I want to hear from you guys!!! This is a huge decision as I am married, own a house and have animals (2 dogs which will have to come with me plus cats that will go somewhere....), I live in Red Bluff about 3 1/2 hrs north of SF. Any info would be so helpful! Thank you!

[ba15mommy]

What were your grades prior to acceptance? What kind of volunteer work did you do?

I'm inly a freshman so I'm still considering my options but I've been really looking into goig that path. Thank you!

[skp09]

Hello,

I was wondering how the classes are during the first semester? I will be attending in the Spring of 2015 CNL cohort and want to prepare myself ahead of time, especially for the Introduction to Pathophysiology and Pharmacology class. If you could e-mail me your response at [email protected] and would love to keep in touch with you PinkRose34. Thanks.

Ruble

Hi Ruble2007, did you already hear back for admissions for the MSN CNL for Non Nurse Spring 2015 and get accepted?

[lp228]

Congrats!! Did you get a letter/phone call or both? And you applied to the entry level program not the RN-MSN one?

[ruble2007]

Hello. So, I applied for the Fall of 2014 at USF SF main campus, however I was waitlisted. Eventually, I didn't get in and so they gave me an option of going to USF SoCal. So, I accepted it and in the middle of July, I received a phone call that the program has been delayed. Anyhow, I don't know how difficult it was, because I had my own struggles but I worked as a CNA for almost two years and a PCA for six months. I had an average of 3.3 GPA. You will get in, just work hard and I think experience is def something that they look for. Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions.

[ruble2007]

I received a letter long time back for the Masters in Entry Level Program.

[lp228]

Oh I see, I think there was another thread started for the Fall 2014 SoCal cohort (that turned into Spring 2015). You might find more people who are also looking for places/apts there.

[ukg12]

Hi guys. I also applied to the program. Has anyone heard anything yet?

[lp228]

Hello, nothing yet for me. Status still says submitted - to be reviewed after deadline. When did you submit your application?

[ukg12]

I submitted it during the last week of September because I was going be out of the country for October. But they contacted me after the deadline and said my app was still incomplete because my degree was not posted on my transcript so I had to take care of that. But it's all good now. The decisions will be out soon and I'm getting more nervous each day lol how do you all feel about your chances?

[Phillycakes]

Hi Everyone,

I was waitlisted when applying for the Summer 2014 session. I wasn't sure if I should even apply for this round since my application hasn't really changed much from the last few months. We will see. Wishing everyone luck!!! :)

[ruble2007]

Hello,

I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit more about the first semester of the Entry Level Program? I am trying to prepare myself for the next semester. Thanks.

Ruble

[Ksfiles]

The first semester in a nutshell: Pathophysiology/Pharmacology ("path-pharm" we called it) required the most effort in terms of studying and prepping for exams, etc. The professor I had, that you might have, was thorough and you need to know your stuff. I didn't think it was any more challenging than the science pre-reqs by any means....If you made it through all of those, then you'll be okay with a little stress around exam time.

Fundamentals of nursing was super easy, at least the professor we had (with a minor group project and 2 exams). Assessment was also easy, requiring a little bit of studying around exam time and one or two minor assignments (ie. an assessment video that took 30 mins to practice, film, and complete). Intro to CNL was a non-graded (pass/fail) class that was, again, easy (only 2 little papers and an essay based final exam that was more opinion oriented). Epidemiology was also pretty easy, a couple of exams and a presentation.

Clinical was very basic and just tried to introduce you to patients (ours was mostly geriatrics at Laguna Honda and was a wonderful experience for me). There is this little thing called pre-labbing that you have to do before clinical. Depending on your clinical instructor, you might have to gather info the morning of clinical, or the week before since most patients are there for a while. (Med Surg in semester 3 is different--you HAVE to go to the hospital the day before your clinical day to do your pre-lab stuff). Anyway, pre-labbing is gathering all sorts of info the patient (from diseases, history, medications, lab values, orders, etc etc.) Until you get the hang of it, it can take a few hours. THEN, you have to do Care Plans after clinical, which also takes a couple hours until you get the hang of it. (For care plans, "Nursing Diagnosis Handbook"by Ackley & Ludwig will become your new best friend). Again, these things get easier over time and by Med Surg 1 you'll be able to pre-lab in 1 hour and do a care plan in 30 mins.

As for books: I regret buying $800 worth of books my first semester bc I rarely used most of them all semester: Pathophysiology book, Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, and Clinical Calculations I definitely used frequently and do recommend them. The other books were helpful for some students, but I personally wish I did not buy them. Also, you may have different professors who might have different expectations.

Also, I would recommend the book by Saunders "NCLEX-RN review" book, it's really helpful in reviewing info and gives plenty of practice questions that help you with HESI tests. (HESI is a required nclex prep that USF uses to prepare student for the nxclex--several classes integrate HESI into the curriculum so using the Saunders book as a review and practice for test-taking questions / strategies has been very helpful).

At times the semester was stressful (ie. exams, presentations, papers, etc all pile up at once), but overall it was very manageable if you stay on top of it and do NOT procrastinate. I quit my job before starting and kind of regret that...I wish I worked 1 or 2 days a week my first 2 semesters (semester 3 maybe 1 day a week but semester 3 is when "sh*t starts getting real"....then semester 4 is apparently the toughest of them all...I'll find out in the Spring).

Hope that helps.