ChristinaG123

Just had my skype interview. I think it went pretty well but who really knows. It's a little intimidating but bizarre to see them on video. They ask a TON of scenario questions, more than I've had in other interview. The general questions, bad/good scenario + positive/negative outcome, when you took initiative, integrity, etc etc. SO many scenarios. Overall, it was a positive experience but definitely a welcomed challenged.

Alymoore87, I have worked with children for six years (4.5 years at Boston Children's). I wouldn't stand a chance applying to anything other than peds with my background. Peds is the only population I want to work with but it's actually been impossible to apply to anything but peds which limits my options. I have volunteer experience with children's relief for 3 years also!

Just got an email for interview for the peds tract... I have no idea how many applicants they're interview or waitlisting but don't lose hope yet! I won't be interviewing until a couple weeks from now but they offer a Skype interview for those who live >100 miles. Very nice perk.

Hey Lauren! I am glad to hear you're having the same struggles, misery loves company =P Where are you located? I am in Boston, MA and it's very competitive market here for pediatrics (or any nursing for that matter). It does look like they accept a lot of students from a variety of locals, but I didn't see any schools from the North... I think other people might be more resistant to relocating but I am actually really excited at the prospect of living in an entirely new place. As for the market, it is so tiring to hear how short the staffing is at my hospital and yet they do not have the budget to hire new graduates. We are quick learners and are relatively inexpensive compared to experienced nurses. Oh well, there is my rant for the morning... What is your background? -Christina

I just mailed off mine packet today! I applied to the pediatrics tract. I have no idea how many applicants they get or how many spots they're looking to fill. I have two bachelors (first in health management, second in nursing) and seven years in acute care peds. I have applied all over the place and only had one interview. I know they said the market was bad but this is insane! I hope Vanderbilt is interested in people from out of state, I think living in Nashville would be awesome!

Hey dreamwave, I wouldn't get too discouraged. I sort of doubt they would make calls over the weekend and I think at least one person in this group would have received one if they had. I am still going to be optimistic and take some deep breaths! I don't think people in Colorado like to work through the weekend =P -Christina

Still got nothing! I guess the timeline is just a mere suggestion!

Looks like next week! Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Hi Bigerin, I had trouble with the login so just completely close out your browser and try again. It has something to do with the cookies! I hope we get some answers today! It seems like all our email stories are different so fingers crossed for everyone! -Christina

Hi everyone, So I know it's just speculation but my friend who just interviewed at UCH said a lot of people had a rejected status when she had the "routed" status. I don't think it's a generic response but I'm still going to be cautiously optimistic! I have reached out to someone who posted on here about starting the residency this past winter about the application process, interview and what they actually thought about the program. If and when I hear back, I will be sure to share the experience! -Christina

Hey peanutsauce, I just got the same emails today (passed initial review, forwarded to the hiring manager). I am wondering if that is a generic response...? I don't want to get my hopes up! Thursday/Friday can't come soon enough! Where are you from? -Christina

Hi there, I submitted my application for the new graduate nurse residency program at Children's Hospital Colorado on June 2. For some reason, I could access it before it was officially posted... Maybe it's because I had a job agent set up? I thought I'd start a forum so we could all speculate and share info on the application process for the Fall 2012 start date. About me: My first B.S. was in Health Management and Policy (SO CLOSE!) and then attended a second degree B.S.N. program and graduated this May 2012. I have worked with children as a preschool teacher in college, camp counselor and have worked at Boston Children's Hospital for 4+ years now. I am from Boston =) but am really interested in relocating for their VERY well established new graduate residency program. I've posted their timeline below: [h=3]Timeline for starting the program in August 2012[/h] *Includes May 2012 graduates June 4-8, 2012: Position posted June 14 or 15, 2012: Select applicants to interview June 27-29, 2012: Interviews July 27, 2012: Selection and notification of candidates August 20, 2012: Start of program Let the games begin!

our private facebook group was super helpful throughout the program!

Hi Michelle, It is possible to do it with young children. We have MANY mothers, with children as young as 2-3 months old when we started. The schedule changes but the first semester is 3-8hr days + one lab day (I believe?) and the summer is 4 days, one full day class, three full day clinical. The fall and the spring are only two days. Curry is an amazing program and I know I am biased, but they're unmatched in MA. I would discourage you from an ADN program because it's hard enough to find jobs with two bachelors and most hospitals no longer hire ADNs. As for the mix of papers and exams, it totally depends on the class. The first semester is almost all exams but then it get's mixed for the next three semester. Overall, it was a great program but I am verrry happy to be done! Hope this helps. -Christina

Hi GAgirlinMA, I started the Curry ACCEL program this past January and will graduate next May. I am just in the midst of finals and I really love the program. I spoke at one of the open houses and someone asked me why I choose Curry over other places I was looking into and I think the greatest selling point for me was the class size. I got offer a spot in accelerated programs at NYU and Emory, which are very large and prestigious schools. Regardless of the added cost of attending these programs, I was going to have to "compete" for attention with over 100 fellow students. The Curry program is very intimate and the professors actually know your name. All of the classmates have bonded over our first semester and we're really excited to start clinical next month. A couple recommendations I would make for potential students would be to take the first two exams VERY seriously and study your butt off. It really takes some of the pressure off when finals come around. I did reasonably well on the first two exams and don't feel like I have a gun to my head to ace the finals. You have to get a 77% on all exams. Also, it's easy to "brush off" the SIM lab since it is a pass/fail class but I would recommend putting in the extra time to come prepared. Although you think it'll be months before you really have to flush and line or dress a wound, it sneaks up so quickly! Hope this answered some of your questions. It is intense but like I said in the open house, it's just as hard as I thought it would be. Best of luck! -Christina