Vanderbilt NP Bridge program

ANPFNPGNP · Mar 22, 2009

The bridge students I talked to while in the ANP program could not have hardly worked, unless on Friday and/or Saturday nights. The year is demanding for those w/o experience in healthcare, tons of papers, reading and clinicals are in bursts of time (three weeks). They literally try to shove a BSN in three semesters and support these students as much as possible.

I was one of the few who actually worked during the program. I used to work two weekends per month and that's how I got the money to pay for all my travel expenses to and from Nashville. I don't know how anyone could possibly work more than that. It's unrealistic to assume you can work full-time, there's just no way. In fact, it's unrealistic to expect to work part-time, unless you're only going to work weekends. Even then, between school and clinicals, I just don't know how it's physically possible.

vetiver · Mar 22, 2009

I've been reading about this program recently...I live 2 hours from Nashville. Are you provided a place to stay on those weekends that you're required to attend or do you have to get a hotel? How often do you have to go to campus?

ANPFNPGNP · Mar 23, 2009

I've been reading about this program recently...I live 2 hours from Nashville. Are you provided a place to stay on those weekends that you're required to attend or do you have to get a hotel? How often do you have to go to campus?

They don't provide anything, so you pay for hotel, food and transportation. You don't just stay for the weekend, you stay for the whole WEEK and that includes a weekend. You need to check with the school, but I had to be on campus something like 6-8 times (?) and during the first visit, I think it was much longer than a week...maybe 10 days (?) That's why I don't understand how they can advertise that students can work fulltime and attend their program. There is just no way!

blessedlo · Mar 26, 2009

I went through the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program in the 1995 as a BSN. I worked full time and went to school full time. I did not have children at the time. I felt the experience was not unbearable. I chose to do that for a few reasons. My husband was in school full time and we had to pay the bills. Also, I was a Vanderbilt employee and to get the employee tuition benefit and to get my scholarship money I had to work full time and go to school full time. I don't know about other specialties, but I know with WH that clinical placements were a premium. It was sometimes a huge juggling act to make my work schedule work with my clinical schedule, especially with the practicum. I hope all goes well for you.