USF master's entry-CNL

Faith2bNP · Apr 1, 2012

We only lost 4 of our original 43 during the RN portion, and that was during the summer. Everyone else made it to the end I believe. I think only about 26 or so moved on into the masters and we lost a few more after they started it. They allowed others to join our group so that we have a full cohort, it is just made up of both original ELMers plus add ins.
You are not required to work. It is actually difficult with the 200hr/semester clinical hours, although it does make placement easier because you can do clinical hrs where you work, although you cannot be paid for clinical hours.
Classes in Masters are typically 2 nights a week( 2-3hrs ea), but with the clinicals and homework it takes more to be successful

I tried to send you a personal message but it won't let me. I don't have enough posts! Congrats on making it to the end of the program! I just applied to their ELM Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator program that starts this May. I spoke with the chair person and she said they changed the summer schedule! Yay! She said we would find out if we were accepted before May 1st!

olvr00 · Apr 24, 2012

to dianajh73

hi, I applied to the masters program of Fresno State. I have a BSN degree. The department received my application on the 29th and the university forwarded my application to them. I received a mail saying that my application has been forwarded to the department for further review and it may take a few weeks before they come to a decision. I'm just wondering if you have any idea when they usually send out acceptance letters/email to the msn program applicants. The Web page says the deadline for application to the department is on April 1 and the result will be known by May 15. Another link is says May 1 is the deadline. I just want to know if you have any idea. I've been trying to search the Internet and forums but this is the closest one i could find. Thank you in advance... :)

dianajh73 · Apr 24, 2012

Considering that they are starting another ELM group in May (that may be the discrepancy in your dates BTW), I wouldn't expect a response about the regular MSN program until end of May at the earliest, but that is just a guess. I know when I joined the ELM program we had 2 weeks notice before the program started. A couple of people on the wait list were called the day the program started and told if they could make it, they were in, because we had a couple of ppl drop out within a few hours of starting.

Afraid I can't give you any more info than that. With CSUF Nursing it is often a matter of hurry up and wait. Calling constantly isn't a good idea, but I would call and ask the week after Memorial Day, if you don't hear before then, since that is when ELM III begins.

Good luck

olvr00 · Apr 25, 2012

Thanks dianajh73, your reply is very helpful. If I don't really want to call them but I will call if I don't receive anything by the week of Memorial Day. Good luck to you too.

olvr00 · Apr 28, 2012

Anyone here who applied to the MS program of Fresno State for the Fall of 2010 who got his/her letter of acceptance or rejection from Fresno State? Thanks...

olvr00 · Apr 29, 2012

Anyone here who applied to the MS program of Fresno State for the Fall of 2012 who got his/her letter of acceptance or rejection from Fresno State? Thanks...

I mean 2012...

olvr00 · May 5, 2012

to dianajh73

Hi, it's me again. I just want to know if you have any idea on the number of MS students that were accepted in the fall of 2011? Thank you again...

dianajh73 · May 5, 2012

Sorry I did not respond earlier. To my knowledge, the typical MSN classes have 12-15 students or so, but since I am not in one of those classes I have just heard that from instructors who talk about the difference between usual groups and our cohort.

ELM starts with over 40 and then adds to the group (we had about 20 added) for the Masters portion if students drop out. We lost over 1/3 of our class after they got licensed, and closer to half by the end, but the rumor is that they have changed the program so that students will not be able to get their BSN until the MSN is completed, although they will be able to take NCLEX for RN.

oland · May 6, 2012

Hi dianajh73,

I heard that Fresno state's ELM program would allow you to go further in your education. Could you tell me if it is true that the nursing department will let you enter the family nurse practitioner program after completing the clinical nurse specialist/nurse education program? That would be great it would be like getting triple or quadruple degrees BSN, MSN in clinical nurse clinical specialist, nurse educator, and family nurse practitioner! How many of your classmates are continuing in the family nurse practitioner program? Are you also entering the family nurse practitioner program and does it start in the spring?

Thanks

dianajh73 · May 6, 2012

NO!!!!! LOL

Most of us are incredibly burned out on school after doing 3 years straight without a break (since the program goes through the summers and winters are busy) and the increased costs (started at about $2500 per semester and now at just over $3600 I think) make it necessary for many to work full time for a while, including myself. Advanced programs are also difficult without more hands on experience.

CSUFresno is really pushing the DNP (Doctorate in nursing practice), rather than the FNP at this point. Our understanding is that they will be phasing out the FNP in favor for the DNP, but that process may be much farther in the future than I think.

Initially I know only a few people who considered doing the FNP after this, because the DNP was not started yet. We were told in the beginning that the FNP takes an additional 18 months, although because of changes in the program which allowed us to qualify for national CNS certification in Adult/Gero or Peds, that may have changed.

As it is, we have to take 2 more courses, after graduation, in order to get the national certifications in education and adult/gero. This would be another reason I doubt too many of our cohort will be rushing in to sign up for an additional program - the fact that the national certifying body changed their criteria and dropped the general certification is not the program's fault, the fact that they wait until rumors abound and did not communicate with staff or students in a timely or accurate manner is absolutely a failing of the dept. and has made most of us ready to be done for a while. In Fall we are basically repeating one class in order to get the national cert for adult/gero and taking an elective course to qualify for the ed cert, which also requires 3yrs full time experience teaching. We also have to pay for the clinical course that goes with the adult/gero class, although we completed it before. We are waiting to find out what kind of "discount" we may be getting since we will be registering for 3 more classes, even if they are technically optional since we will have our state CNS in June.

Sorry long answer to the question. You do not have to decide now whether you will continue with the Dept. after the MSN, so wait and see how things go. We have also heard that you will not be able to get your BSN until you are done with all 3 yrs, although you will have the RN, so that may play into the decision since it remains to be seen what effect that will have on employment opportunities.

Good Luck

dianajh73 · May 6, 2012

Re: FNP starting in Fall

Due to cutbacks, any program that starts would have to be in the Summer or Fall, because there are no new students allowed in to the university in the Spring at all. This is a budget issue within the state universities.

olvr00 · May 6, 2012

Sorry I did not respond earlier. To my knowledge, the typical MSN classes have 12-15 students or so, but since I am not in one of those classes I have just heard that from instructors who talk about the difference between usual groups and our cohort.
ELM starts with over 40 and then adds to the group (we had about 20 added) for the Masters portion if students drop out. We lost over 1/3 of our class after they got licensed, and closer to half by the end, but the rumor is that they have changed the program so that students will not be able to get their BSN until the MSN is completed, although they will be able to take NCLEX for RN.

Thank you so much dianajh73, I still have not heard from the department. I am really praying hard for a positive result in my application. Thank you again. Good luck.

Oliver