Kentucky NP'S?

Bigranger · May 17, 2005

What part of Kentucky will you be working? I start Vandy this fall also and will work in Ky after graduation. Ky NP's fought hard last year for the right to prescribe schedule 2-5 narcs but ultimately were turned down due to the fact that Ky has a high substance abuse record and the thought was they didn't want NPs fueling this. Although, many sources say that Ky NP's would have this ability within 2-3 yrs.

Good luck...

HillNPStudent · May 17, 2005

What part of Kentucky will you be working? I start Vandy this fall also and will work in Ky after graduation. Ky NP's fought hard last year for the right to prescribe schedule 2-5 narcs but ultimately were turned down due to the fact that Ky has a high substance abuse record and the thought was they didn't want NPs fueling this. Although, many sources say that Ky NP's would have this ability within 2-3 yrs.
Good luck...

I am currently in the Lexington KY area, but hubby & I will more than likely be relocating to the Bowling Green KY area depending on his job. NP's are common in this area it seems but not sure of the Bowling Green area.

I disagree with the theory of NPs fueling the high substance abuse record in KY. I have seen many a doc prescribe numerous refills of narcs to pts. who obviously were seeking. Whether it is to increase their office business or simply satisfy the pt. and keep them out of the office I don't know...but I feel NP's could potentially help the situation....who knows?

Kristiern1 · May 23, 2005

Hi, I just wanted to chime in and say hello. I graduate from Vanderbilt in August from the ACNP program. I live in Southern Indiana. About 5 minutes from Louisville. Still in the job search mode. Good luck with your program.

Kristie

HillNPStudent · May 30, 2005

Kristiern1,

How did you like Vandy's NP program? I assume you did the distance learning option? Are you searching for employment in hospitals primarily or something else?? Good luck with your search....

Kristiern1 · May 30, 2005

Kristiern1,
How did you like Vandy's NP program? I assume you did the distance learning option? Are you searching for employment in hospitals primarily or something else?? Good luck with your search....

I have found the program very doable. One thing to consider with the distance program is to consider the cost of hotels when you stay on campus. From personal experience the closer to campus the better, and a hotel with a shuttle is ideal. Unless you really like to walk, (parking is very far from school of nursing). I used priceline a couple of times...but started getting hotels that were considered in the Vanderbilt area, but a little farther from campus and without a shuttle. Embassy suites has a school of nursing rate of 89 a night. I also like the holiday inn select. I definately recommend a place with a mini kitchen or a least a fridge so you arent locked into eating all your meals out.

Be prepared to be busy over the next year. I thought (rather foolishly) that I could work full time throughout....Not even close, during fall semester I worked 2 days a week. In January I cut back to one day a week, and now this summer I am not working because my summer preceptorship is 40+ hours/week.

If you have any more specific questions I would be happy to help, just let me know.

HillNPStudent · May 30, 2005

I have found the program very doable. One thing to consider with the distance program is to consider the cost of hotels when you stay on campus. From personal experience the closer to campus the better, and a hotel with a shuttle is ideal. Unless you really like to walk, (parking is very far from school of nursing). I used priceline a couple of times...but started getting hotels that were considered in the Vanderbilt area, but a little farther from campus and without a shuttle. Embassy suites has a school of nursing rate of 89 a night. I also like the holiday inn select. I definately recommend a place with a mini kitchen or a least a fridge so you arent locked into eating all your meals out.
Be prepared to be busy over the next year. I thought (rather foolishly) that I could work full time throughout....Not even close, during fall semester I worked 2 days a week. In January I cut back to one day a week, and now this summer I am not working because my summer preceptorship is 40+ hours/week.
If you have any more specific questions I would be happy to help, just let me know.

Thanks for your reply. How often were you required to travel to campus? I was told 3-4 times per semester over weekend blocks of time. I am planning to TRY to work this fall, but I realized I realistically may very well have to cut to part time. My husband will be able to work full-time so I may consider even PRN or agency work instead of regular staff to make my schedule a bit more flexible.

One of my concerns is being able to find preceptors in my area. How did you go about searching for a preceptor? Did you have difficulty? I have always considered myself a persistent, go-getter type personality so hopefully I will be able to put myself out there and find a suitable preceptor.

Also, did you have extensive RN experience prior to applying for grad school? I will have one year's experience as an RN by the time school begins, I know several people on these posts say more experience is needed but this is just a good time for me right now to go back since I don't have kids yet.

Sorry for all the questions; it's nice to find someone to chat with who is already involved in the program who can offer a few tips on what's to come!!

Good luck!

Kristiern1 · May 30, 2005

Thanks for your reply. How often were you required to travel to campus? I was told 3-4 times per semester over weekend blocks of time. I am planning to TRY to work this fall, but I realized I realistically may very well have to cut to part time. My husband will be able to work full-time so I may consider even PRN or agency work instead of regular staff to make my schedule a bit more flexible.
One of my concerns is being able to find preceptors in my area. How did you go about searching for a preceptor? Did you have difficulty? I have always considered myself a persistent, go-getter type personality so hopefully I will be able to put myself out there and find a suitable preceptor.
Also, did you have extensive RN experience prior to applying for grad school? I will have one year's experience as an RN by the time school begins, I know several people on these posts say more experience is needed but this is just a good time for me right now to go back since I don't have kids yet.
Sorry for all the questions; it's nice to find someone to chat with who is already involved in the program who can offer a few tips on what's to come!!
Good luck!

I have been a nurse for ten years. But keep in mind that at least half of your class will be made up of students that have no nursing experience. One of Vanderbilts programs is for students who have a Bachelor's degree in something...anything I think. Their first year is a transition to nursing accelerated program. In August when you start your year program, they will be joining in your class and finish in their second year. So although one year of nursing experience isn't alot, it is considerably more than about half of your class mates have. I think in any field of nursing it is important to remember that you can't possibly know everything. I think you will be fine. What are your interests? What do you want to do when your done? I love the Acute Care program.

The time on campus is in weekend bocks, but remember in August you will be there for 5 days I believe and again in May a 5-7 day block. Also I would say if you find a hotel you like make your reservations in advance pretty far. One of my blocks fell on homecoming, the other on graduation so finding a hotel was difficult then

I was pretty fortunate in my preceptor selection. For advanced health assessment clinical, I went to our county health clinic for the indigant. I'm not sure where you work, but I just asked the education director at my hospital if she knew any NP's that practiced in the area that might be interested in having a student. In the spring and summer big clinicals 280 hr.each, In my program we had to do one internal medicine rotation and a specialty rotation. I just asked a couple of doctors that I worked with and finally got a couple to agree. I didnt do any of my big clinicals with NP's but I would bet if you found some practices that had NP's you wouldn't have any problems.

Do you live in Lexington? I was born there, used to live in Gardenside. What program are you doing at Vanderbilt?

HillNPStudent · May 30, 2005

I have been a nurse for ten years. But keep in mind that at least half of your class will be made up of students that have no nursing experience. One of Vanderbilts programs is for students who have a Bachelor's degree in something...anything I think. Their first year is a transition to nursing accelerated program. In August when you start your year program, they will be joining in your class and finish in their second year. So although one year of nursing experience isn't alot, it is considerably more than about half of your class mates have. I think in any field of nursing it is important to remember that you can't possibly know everything. I think you will be fine. What are your interests? What do you want to do when your done? I love the Acute Care program.
The time on campus is in weekend bocks, but remember in August you will be there for 5 days I believe and again in May a 5-7 day block. Also I would say if you find a hotel you like make your reservations in advance pretty far. One of my blocks fell on homecoming, the other on graduation so finding a hotel was difficult then
I was pretty fortunate in my preceptor selection. For advanced health assessment clinical, I went to our county health clinic for the indigant. I'm not sure where you work, but I just asked the education director at my hospital if she knew any NP's that practiced in the area that might be interested in having a student. In the spring and summer big clinicals 280 hr.each, In my program we had to do one internal medicine rotation and a specialty rotation. I just asked a couple of doctors that I worked with and finally got a couple to agree. I didnt do any of my big clinicals with NP's but I would bet if you found some practices that had NP's you wouldn't have any problems.
Do you live in Lexington? I was born there, used to live in Gardenside. What program are you doing at Vanderbilt?

I currently work in Lexington in a cardiac/tele unit. I have some certifications, such as ACLS, but have worked on this unit for a total of 3 years, some of those being as an aide prior to graduation. I have applied for the ANP/GNP dual certification. My primary interest lies with adolescent/adult populations, but I do love geriatrics as well, which is why I chose the dual program. I also had an NP clinical instructor recommend obtaining dual certification if possible to show a broader scope of practice when applying for jobs. I do not enjoy nursing with neonates, peds, or dealing with pregnancy, which is why I feel more comfortable and better suited to the adult population. As far as my post-grad plans, I am pretty flexible. I would love to work in the hospital setting, several NPs I work with now were hired through my hospital and love it. They claim the pay is decent, benefits are good, and many also find opportunities to teach outside of their practice. I would prefer this also because of more loan repayment options. If not hospitals, I would prefer to be in an office or clinic seeing patients. I really enjoy primary care, and have always loved the primary prevention aspects of nursing. I love to educate my patients even now and help them be better able to improve their health.

Did you find the cost of Vandy was worth it? That was also one of my bigger concerns. I figured it was worth it to graduate in three full-time semesters and plus Vandy's reputation couldn't hurt in the job search either. I am excited as summer approaches thinking about starting class again in the fall. I graduated with honors and loved school, so I'm hoping that will help in the grad school also!

Thanks for all your help with the school tips...it has been most helpful!

BillyDreamer · Aug 21, 2008

I have found the program very doable. One thing to consider with the distance program is to consider the cost of hotels when you stay on campus. From personal experience the closer to campus the better, and a hotel with a shuttle is ideal. Unless you really like to walk, (parking is very far from school of nursing). I used priceline a couple of times...but started getting hotels that were considered in the Vanderbilt area, but a little farther from campus and without a shuttle. Embassy suites has a school of nursing rate of 89 a night. I also like the holiday inn select. I definately recommend a place with a mini kitchen or a least a fridge so you arent locked into eating all your meals out.
Be prepared to be busy over the next year. I thought (rather foolishly) that I could work full time throughout....Not even close, during fall semester I worked 2 days a week. In January I cut back to one day a week, and now this summer I am not working because my summer preceptorship is 40+ hours/week.
If you have any more specific questions I would be happy to help, just let me know.

Kristie,

I'm considering the Vanderbilt ACNP program and I have some questions for you. It doesn't appear that I can PM you, so could you send me a message with your email address or something? I would really appreciate it!

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 27, 2008

Kristie,
I'm considering the Vanderbilt ACNP program and I have some questions for you. It doesn't appear that I can PM you, so could you send me a message with your email address or something? I would really appreciate it!

It appears that the NP's posted their comments in 2005, so you may not get a response. I wish I could contact them b/c I also graduated from Vanderbilt's ANP/GNP program in August '05.

You can e-mail me if you would like and I'll answer any questions that I can. However, since I didn't attend the ACNP program, I'm not sure I can help.

I can tell you that even though that degree from Vanderbilt was expensive, it was the best investment I ever made.