Vanderbilt Grad Entry 2013

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hey everyone!

This thread is for all of those out there who are planning on applying to one of Vanderbilt's MSN programs for Fall 2013. I'm starting to get my application packet together. I haven't started my interview survey questions and goal statement yet but I need to get on it. I need to take the GRE still though. Has anyone taken that? What did you get? Did you study? Harder than you thought?

Let's help each other get into their program!

Specializes in Surgery, Family Practice.

the popular specialties like FNP and NMW conduct over the phone interviews

I'm a pre-specialty NMW student and I had an over the phone interview before hearing back about a decision :)

amandy45,

When did you have the phone interview in relation to hearing about your decision?

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to wish everyone good luck as you interview(for those who applied in specialties that require interviews) and also let you all know that I am here to help answer questions with amandy45 about pre-specialty year!

Thanks so much for your offer to answer questions amandy and sprint! I have applied to pre-specialty PMHNP and am SO excited! I have tons of questions

;) First, unlike the other programs I applied to, Vanderbilt starts in the fall rather than summer. The idea at the others school, I think, is to knock out path and pharm quickly so there is a slightly slower pace for the fall and spring. How have you managed the workload with your personal life? My significant other will likely be moving with me and I want to have an idea how much time I'll be able to spend with him... he's lived in Seattle his whole life so the move would be quite an adjustment! Also, are many students planning on seeking loan-repayment work upon graduation? Just curious how others are approaching the hefty debt load =) And finally, why did you choose Vanderbilt over other programs? Thanks so much for your help!

Sarah

@jasonmstone82: I heard back about my interview during the first week of February, and then actually completed the phone interview a few days later. I heard back about my official admission decision right around Presidents Day weekend, so just a couple weeks later. I think notifications vary by specialty, so please don't count on these as "set in stone" dates. It's just to give you an idea of a general time frame :)

Thanks so much for your offer to answer questions amandy and sprint! I have applied to pre-specialty PMHNP and am SO excited! I have tons of questions

;) First, unlike the other programs I applied to, Vanderbilt starts in the fall rather than summer. The idea at the others school, I think, is to knock out path and pharm quickly so there is a slightly slower pace for the fall and spring. How have you managed the workload with your personal life? My significant other will likely be moving with me and I want to have an idea how much time I’ll be able to spend with him… he’s lived in Seattle his whole life so the move would be quite an adjustment! Also, are many students planning on seeking loan-repayment work upon graduation? Just curious how others are approaching the hefty debt load =) And finally, why did you choose Vanderbilt over other programs? Thanks so much for your help!

Sarah

I'm so happy to offer any peace of mind I possibly can! This process is exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time! :)

One thing I really like about the program at VUSN is that they spread out pathophysiology and pharmacology over the entire pre-specialty year. In my opinion, there is WAY too much information to try and knock it out in the beginning. The program does a great job of spreading out the course content throughout the three semesters of the pre-specialty year. That may seem like a lot, but it's a nice way to keep students from becoming overwhelmed with the amount of material they are expected to learn.

So far, I have been able to manage the workload and my personal life pretty well. Exams and assignments are spread out so that we do have down-time here and there to go out and enjoy what Nashville has to offer! :) Also, I have quickly become great friends with the other students in the program...two of them are my roommates, and we all are able to support each other throughout this process. And that support means that we find time to study together, and we also find time to go out together and have fun.

As far as loan repayment programs, I don't know many pre-specialty students who have seriously planned that far ahead yet. Right now there is a big focus to settle into a nice groove within the program. As we get closer to the end of the program, the topic of loan repayment will definitely come up more often. I'm sorry I don't have a more solid answer for you.

And lastly, I chose Vanderbilt because it is an incredible program. I put my trust in the process, and figured that I would be accepted into a program that I was meant to be in. I'm a nurse-midwifery focus, and has a NMW program that is truly second to none. As a pre-specialty student, I am so impressed with the faculty and the support that they provide us as students and future nurses, 24/7. They are so committed to helping us become the best possible nurses and nurse practitioners. I was nervous to start this program because of its level of intensity and rigorous academic standards, but I have no doubt that I will succeed, thanks in large part to the faculty and students I am with all the time.

Thank you SO much, Amandy!! That is so helpful!! A couple of other questions--do you know the average cost of the program for 6 semesters, taking living into account? And are most students able to cover costs with scholarships and federal loans, or have many of you had to go the private route? That intimidates me! It would be so sad to not be able to attend due to finances. Also, what would you say is the average age of prespecialty students? Sounds like a wonderful community!

Sarah

FYI, something I forgot to mention about my information session is that applications won't even be ready for faculty review for another week most likely. They are still busy putting everything together. Just wanted to mention that in case anyone needed some peace of mind over the holiday haha.

Also for Amandy,

Can you tell us a little bit about what you can do to get involved in the school? Are there any student nursing associations?

@amandy

Did you receive your acceptance letter in the mail or on their webisite?

Specializes in Surgery, Family Practice.

good luck to everyone! I applied for Direct Entry to the FNP program. I have been a registered nurse for 2 years.

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