How does a Versant Residency work?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 30, 2013

In my area of the country the versant residency programs have the new hire work 8 hr shifts, Monday thru Friday, for the first week or two to get an immersion orientation. After that, they work with their preceptor on the preceptor's schedule. In most of the hospital units that is 3-12 hour shifts/week. You need to contact the Educator to find out about flexibility, etc. I hope this works out for you as it is a great way to start your career!

babybluelife · Dec 30, 2013

Thank you for your insight! I have thought about choosing the versant over finishing my BSN. A job is the priority for me. Of course, I am just trying to be prepared. At this point I will focus on my interview. I fear what my response will be though if I get asked. I do not want to jeopardize a job for education. :/

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 31, 2013

Get the job, then get the education. The versant was a joke. You have a job now, you might not after going back for your BSN.

babybluelife · Dec 31, 2013

Hi That Guy,

Do you mean Versant was easy? I am conflicted because I know Versant usually wants a BSN nurse. I just am not sue how to approach it during the interview.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jan 1, 2014

Hi That Guy,
Do you mean Versant was easy? I am conflicted because I know Versant usually wants a BSN nurse. I just am not sue how to approach it during the interview.

I went into the Versant right out of nursing school. The first part of the Residency was basically going over concepts that we had just learned in nursing school so it really was no help to me. The preceptorship was fine, it helped a lot but you get that at most places. Overall it has a lot of structure that a lot of people liked, I would have preferred to just hit the floor with my preceptor and saved the large amount of classes.

babybluelife · Jan 1, 2014

Thank you for explaining that to me. I am really hoping that my interview goes well!

msn10 · Jan 14, 2014

If you are in an area where it is difficult to find a job, than do the residency, however, the Versant program is not a true residency, it is an onboarding program and there is a difference. As That Guy stated, the biggest problem with Versant is that it does not address the needs of the learner as other programs do. The biggest complaints we hear coming out of residencies is that they feel "just like school" which is the last thing you want to be doing. There are hospitals out there now doing 12 month residencies which statistically are much more effective. The process is an immersion program of about 2 weeks, a precepted experience with a trained preceptor, and then once a month, all-day session with speakers from all different disciplines to talk about the tricks of the trade.

babybluelife · Jan 15, 2014

Thanks msn10,

Yes, I live in the Bay area of Northern Cali, very...very difficult to find an acute care job. However, once the Versant is completed I would most likely be hired into a floor position after 18 weeks.

Thank you for your insight. I had my interview today and will find out on Friday! Thanks. :)

SBJustBreathe, ASN, RN · Jul 16, 2014

Just wondering how things are going, if you got into Versant what is that like? I'm starting in a couple months and am curious the schedule and what kind of things you learn while in class.

babybluelife · Jul 17, 2014

Things are going well. Last night was my second night on my own after 18 weeks of orientation. Versant is awesome! I cannot imagine starting in a hospital without having the experience...it would be very difficult. For most of the time we had 2 days of classroom time and 2 days on the floor each week. In class, we basically reviewed a lot of what we learned in nursing school, but it was a great review. We had skills lab, which I loved because I was able to see how this hospital went about certain skills and their policies, etc. You have a preceptor for 18 weeks (I actually had 2 different ones) and they help you progress into being independent. The support within the program is amazing. however, I did often feel exhausted because not only are you sitting for 16 hours a week in class, but you are also working on the floor and learning a ton...my brain just hurt at times haha. Congrats on your job! It will be a great experience. I am so thankful for versant. :)

SBJustBreathe, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2014

Awesome! That makes me so happy i got into a versant program. I'm really excited to start in September. Thank you for responding!