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:

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. 

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.

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). The cohort entering in May 2010 will graduate in May 2012.  

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.  Some summer classes meet 5 days per week.

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 $12,643 for the 2009-10 academic year (fall & spring), and approximately $270 per credit in the summer session for Virginia residents. All Direct Entry students take 8 credits each summer. The cost for non-Virginians is $22,643 for the 2009-10 academic year (fall and spring) and $700/credit hour for the summer session.

Do you have an option to pursue a BSN degree?
No.   The BSN program is only for those students who have not earned an undergraduate degree yet.

Application Process -

Do I need to meet with someone at the nursing school? Does the nursing school interview applicants? 
The application will be due by November 1, with phone interviews conducted from mid-November to early-January.  We expect to mail (or post) all decisions by February 1.

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 Direct Entry 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 most Tuesdays from 8-9pm Eastern time.

Should I apply early?
We do not have an early decision deadline. The review of admissions credentials will begin in late October as admissions files become complete.   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 November 1 deadline. Please make sure that we have all supporting credentials (including  any GRE or TOEFL scores) before November 1 as the 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, and lifespan development). Students who will have completed the Anatomy/Physiology sequence by the aplication deadline will be reviewed favorably. Applicants may be currently enrolled in pre-req classes, or plan to complete these courses in the Spring term.  Please note that we will need an official transcripts indicating that all prerequisite courses are completed before you can enroll in the program. 

How many applications do you usually have each year?
We received over 120 applications for the 2009 entering cohort. We are looking for an entering class of 28-30 students in May 2010.

When am I notified about admission?
All letters of decision are mailed by February 1st. Some applicants will be extended offers before January 1.

Do I have to submit results of GREs? 
Only those with undergraduate GPAs of 3.25 or lower are required to submit GRE scores.  The GRE is optional for all other applicants. 

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 Spring 2010, please be sure that we will have your official transcript before May 15th.

Do I have to have pathophysiology completed before I apply?
No.

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 from our website (go to the MyGradUva page).  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 Direct Entry MSN students?
As a graduate student, you are eligible for scholarships administered directly by the School of Nursing. We will email the financial aid applications to those who are offered admissions.  All applicants are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA and have your FAFSA information sent to the University Office of Student Financial Services. 


Program Related -

What is a Clinical Nurse Leader?
The University of Virginia and UVA Medical Center is one of 90 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 Direct Entry MSN Program?
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.