Experience with Vanderbilt or their PMHNP Program?

[evh5150]

Hello, this my first time posting on this site, and I am writing in hopes to get feedback about psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs with a focus on Vanderbilt's program. I have been an RN for about 2 years now, and I have a Bachelor's degree in another field and an Associate's degree in nursing. I am interested in becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and I have been accepted into Vanderbilt's program. I'm having difficulty finding anyone who has done this program, and I'm particularly interested in whether it is a good program considering the hefty fee for tuition.

But of course, I would also be interested in the level of difficulty of the program. Is there a lot of on the spot” clinical work or simulation checkoffs that have to be done under the scrutiny of instructors with difficult personalities? I'm a good student and I am interested in learning about my field, but I do not know if I'm up for another nursing school style experience like the one I had at a technical college before I was an RN. Not to beat a dead horse, but rude and intimidating instructors, needlessly stressful clinical experiences, and poorly planned classes are something that I don't need at this point in my life. Of course, difficult personalities are everywhere, but I'm just wondering if someone could give me a hint of what the culture at Vanderbilt is like in terms of their PMHNP program as well as their pre-specialty year. I would be doing this program online from another state, and although I have to report to campus about once a month, I can't just fly up at the moment and talk to other students on campus.

So in summary, if you think the Vanderbilt program would be a good fit for me based on what I've written, and if you think the program is worthwhile in general, then please let me know. And of course, if there are other options that you think I should be considering then please let me know as well. I do like that the Vanderbilt program could allow me to take the life span test and be practicing within about 2 years, but I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what the program is. Anyhow, I'm excited to hear your ideas and thank you for reading my post.

[amdstrots]

Are you accepted for the Spring Semester?? I am starting to work on my application for admission next Fall. I know that Vanderbilt has an excellent pass rate for boards, is very highly regarded by other professionals. I definitely think the program is worthwhile. From the research I have done, I haven;t heard anything like what you are describing your nursing school experience was. Personally I don't believe they could have the ranking they do if that is their culture. What types of experiences did you have for your application? I am stressing as I am coming from 8 years of experience in pediatric nursing, and very little Psych experience.