Frequently Asked Questions - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Master's Program
Course Related -
What classes should I be taking now?
There are several course pre-requisites for the second degree program. These include the successful completion of the following courses before entry:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology within the past 5 years. Please try and have this
requirement completed by the end of the spring semester.
- Statistics
- Lifespan Development or a course in human growth/development. At some
colleges/universities, this content is covered in a Developmental Psychology course
- A course in pathophysiology. The University of Virginia offers this class online every summer.
What kind of anatomy and physiology course do you require? Does it have to be human anatomy and physiology?
We take human anatomy and human physiology courses from accredited colleges and universities. This can be a combined course lasting one or two semesters, or a separate anatomy and physiology course. It MUST be HUMAN anatomy and physiology. If you took either course more than 5 years ago, please enroll in a 'refresher' course. Ideally, you should complete the Anatomy/Physiology requirements by the end of the spring term. Please keep in mind that Anatomy/Physiology is a prerequisite for the pathophysiology requirement.
What kind of course in statistics?
This can be either a course in social, math, or business statistics taken at an accredited college, community college, or university. You should have covered descriptive and inferential statistics, and should be familiar with regression. We do not accept AP scores in statistics.
What kind of course in life span development?
We require a course in life span development (conception to death). A course covering only childhood and adolescence is not enough. This could be a course in development psychology that covers the full lifespan, or a course in human growth/development.
What kind of course in pathophysiology?
The course in pathophysiology will build upon your knowledge of Anatomy/Physiology. Different schools will offer this as a 1- or 2-semester sequence; be sure that you take the full sequence that the course requires. For example, the University of Virginia offers this as both a 2-semester sequence (NUIP 310/311) and as a 1-semester overview class (NUIP 418). NUIP 418 is offered online in the summer sessions at Virginia.
How long will it take to complete the CNL program?
The Clinical Nurse Leader MSN program is a full-time, 24 month program (4 semester and two summers). A cohort entering in Fall 2007 will graduate at the end of Summer 2007.
Can I enroll in the program part-time?
No, the Clinical Nurse Leader is a full-time program of study at this time. Classes are 2 days a week during the semester, and the other days are left open for your clinical experiences.
What is the cost for the program?
The full-time program will be 2 full years (four semesters and two summers). The cost for the academic year is $11,255 for the 2007-08 academic year (fall & spring), and approximately $250 per credit in the summer session for Virginia residents. All CNL students take 8 credits each summer. The cost for non-Virginians is $21,255 for the 2007-08 academic year (fall and spring) and $700/credit hour for the summer session. These are the 2007-08 and estimated Summer 2007 costs. Tuition/fees for future years are likely to be higher.
Do you have an option to pursue a BSN degree?
The School of Nursing has a limited number of spaces for students in the Third Year Transfer program. This prorgam will enroll students who have completed at least two years of college level work. It is a 24-month fulltime program that leads to a BSN degree. The course prerequesites for this include Anatomy & Physiology, Lifespan Development and Nutrition.
Can a student apply for both the CNL and Third Year Transfer BSN programs?
Yes. You would need to submit two applications (and pay two application fees). These applications are evaluated separately by different admissions committees. The CNL application is due by February 1, the Transfer application is due by March 1.
Application Process -
Do I need to meet with someone at the nursing school? Does the nursing school interview applicants?
The Admissions Committee will interview some of the candidates in February or March. Applicants will be contacted at that time to schedule interviews. Most interviews can be conducted by phone.
What kind of experience are you looking for prior to applying to the School of Nursing (SON)?
Experiences for accepted students have been varied. Some successful applicants have working in an inpatient setting (CNA, surgical technician, unit administrative staff, pastoral care); other have worked in healthcare in an outpatient setting (therapy, public health, EMT/paramedics, Peace Corps, etc). Other students have worked in the research setting (wet labs, genomics, field research). Others have seem/experienced nursing and healthcare firsthand as a patient, or as a family member/caregiver of a patient. This list is not means to be exhaustive of the types of experiences needed, but is intended to be illustrative. Exposure to healthcare or direct experience with clients is especially important for the CNL program New students begin clinical assignments in the first weeks of the first semester. Because we want you to be successful and prepared for this quick immersion, we believe you need to have first-hand knowledge about the field.
When can I visit the SON?
The School of Nursing hosts several Information Sessions on our undergraduate and graduate programs. You are welcome to attend these. We also hold weekly internet-based chats in our Admissions Chatroom every Tuesday from noon-1pm and Wednesday from 8-9pm Eastern time.
Should I apply early?
We do not have an early decision deadline. Review of admissions credentials will begin in mid-January as admissions files become complete, but no decisions will be made before the February 1 admissions deadline. Since the admissions application is online, you can submit it at any time. You can also have supporting credentials (recommendations, transcripts, GREs, resume) sent to the Admissions office at any time prior to the February 1 deadline. Please make sure that we have all supporting credentials (including GRE scores) before the February 1 deadline as review of materials begins immediately thereafter.
How can I enhance my application?
When reviewing application, the admission committee makes special note of how you have done in the course prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, statistics, pathophysiology, and lifespan development). Students who will have completed the Anatomy/Physiology sequence by the end of the spring term will be reviewed favorably. Applicants may be currently enrolled in pre-req classes, or plan to complete these courses in the Summer.
How many applications do you usually have each year?
We received over 100 applications each year for the CNL cohorts that started in 2005, 2006, and 2007. We are looking for an entering class of 27 students in Fall 2008.
When am I notified about admission?
All letters of decision are mailed by April 1st. Some applicants will be extended offers before April 1.
Do I have to submit results of GREs?
We require the GRE for all students who have not already completed a Master's degree. The School of Nursing accepts GRE scores that are older than 5 years. If your GRE scores are more than 5 years old, you may submit a copy of your Student Score Report directly to our
Admissions Office. Because of some recent problems with receiving data from the Educational Testing Services, CNL applicants may mail/fax us copies of their Student Score Reports. Our fax is 434-924-0528.
What are the average test scores and GPAs of nursing applicants?
We are not looking for an average score or GPA. We are looking for applicants who have challenged themselves academically and have the best scores and grades possible. However, because of the rigorous nature of this graduate program, we seek individuals with a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0)
Do I have to have anatomy and physiology, statistics, pathophysiology and developmental psychology completed before I apply?
You do not have to have all of these courses completed before you apply. All must be completed before you begin classes. If you will be taking any of these classes in Summer 2008, please be sure that we will have your official transcript before August 10th. Note that you need to complete Anatomy/Physiology before you enroll in the undergraduate pathophysiology class.
Do I have to have pathophysiology completed before I apply?
No, but it must be completed before the fall classes begin. The summer session course is available online. This course is offered at UVa every spring and summer terms.
Can I transfer in any other credits?
Since many of the CNL classes are specifically designed for this program, it is unlikely that you have completed these elsewhere. If you have completed graduate coursework in nursing at another institution, please contact Clay Hysell in the Office of Admissions & Student Services.
Where do I get an application?
You can complete the online application here. Please be sure that you are downloading the application for the Second Degree to MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader application, as we have a different admissions process for our other MSN degrees. If you are not able to access this online application, please contact the admissions office at nur-osa@virginia.edu, and we can email you a PDF document.
What kind of financial aid do you offer second degree students?
As a graduate student, you are eligible for scholarships administered directly by the School of Nursing. The application for this scholarship aid can be downloaded here. In addition, you can
apply for need-based aid from the University's Office of Student Financial Services (loans, etc). To apply for University aid, you need to complete the federal FAFSA form and the U.Va. financial aid form. Students applying for School of Nursing scholarships need to submit the SON
financial aid form.
Program Related -
What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?
The University of Virginia and UVA Medical Center is one of 80 nursing partnerships in the US who have been selected as a site to educate Clinical Nurse Leaders. You can read more about the Clinical Nurse Leader from the website of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing here.
What types of jobs are available to a CNL graduate?
Since the Clinical Nurse Leader is a new title in nursing leadership, not all of the 6000 hospitals in the country are expected to use the same semantics in their professional titles. When you receive your MSN, you will be eligible for Registered Nurse (R.N.) certification. CNL graduates with identical skill sets will likely initially be hired as an Novice Clinician, and then progress to positions as Team Leader, Clinical Care Coordinator, unit-based Outcomes Manager, etc.
Why are you offering the Second Degree Program at the MSN level?
The education and experiences provided in the Clinical Nurse Leader program is above and beyond the objectives of BSN education. The program includes many of the standards of graduate education in nursing.
In addition, second degree applicants have all already completed an undergraduate degree - and some will have a graduate degree in another discipline. At the University of Virginia, we look for individuals who seek to advance their own professional/educational objectives. In addition, the award of a graduate degree properly reflects your new abilities and skills as a clinical nursing leader.
For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at
nur-osa@virginia.edu or by telephone at (434) 924-0141 / 1-888-283-8703.