Anyone else starting in Bridge to practice at Vassar Brothers?

shortontime · Mar 17, 2011

hi - just curious how you liked the program, what kind of training you had, what kind of unit you were placed in... I'm interviewing shortly..any tips/advice would be appreciated. thanks!

nickel778 · Mar 17, 2011

Hi,

Good luck with your Interview! I think just getting an interview is the hardest part. They are already seriously considering you. There will be a math exam and personality profile that you have to do on a computer at the first interview as well as standard questions like "why do want to work here", and "what are your strengths and weaknesses etc...But its not so bad. There are a total of 3 interviews, the last being the most important with the directors of Nursing.

I felt the orientation was very comprehensive, 3 months all together. I started in June 2010, they will orient you probably on three different units because new nurses are assigned to the float pool, either nights or days, and they want you to get familiarized with the different units. I think there are a total of 8 med-surg floors each with a different specialty, so its a little overwhelming when you first get off orientation, but there are always other nurses around that can help and be a resource. You can also apply to positions on specific units as they open up once you are hired and have your license. I chose to stay in the float pool, once you get used to it, its has its advantages. But most new RN's want a "home"

Good luck!

shortontime · Mar 29, 2011

Hi - just wanted to follow up. I got the job and start April 4! Thanks for the info, it was a big help. Maybe we'll get a chance to meet after I get to the float pool.

Karebear84 · Apr 1, 2011

Hi shortontime,

Congrats on getting the job! I'm in the program too. I'm excited and nervous. How about you?

shortontime · Apr 1, 2011

Same here! I got the schedule in the mail yesterday and they really do wean you into things. My big fear was that - if I didn't get into this program - I'd be hired onto a floor at some other hospital with minimal orientation and no preceptor. A few of my fellow grads had this experience and it's no fun. I'm ready to get to work - since I've passed the boards, I've just been doing "home projects" and looking for a job. I'm very "done" with painting and cleaning...

Karebear84 · Apr 1, 2011

I'm ready too! I graduated last May and took the boards in July. It has been very frustrating and I thought I would never get a job.

MrsY · Apr 10, 2011

Hi, I am graduating next month and I was wondering how you applied to this program? From what I see on the Quest site all applications are online?

shortontime · Apr 11, 2011

You'll want to contact the nurse recruiter at Vassar. When I applied, they wanted a resume, transcript and two letters of recc's from clinical instructors - up front. I didn't apply online - never saw a posting - so definitely call.

MrsY · Apr 11, 2011

Ok, great, thank you.

MrsY · Apr 14, 2011

One more question maybe shortontime or Karebear84 can answer - I did email the nurse recruiter and she replied that no decision had been made about a summer program but I should send my transcripts so she would have them so I was feeling kind of good about this but then I spoke to one of my Professors and she didn't think Bridge to Practice accepted Associate's Degree nurses, just BSN. What do you think? I did state in my email that I was graduating with an ADN but I don't want to get my hopes up. Do you know if Vassar accepts ADN nurses? I have a BA in another field.

shortontime · Jul 12, 2011

Sorry to respond so late..Vassar does take ADNs into the Bridge program. I have heard there's a group starting in August, but it will be small. Hope that helps, good luck!