AtennesseeRN

I also was accepted to the Vanderbilt Critical Care Residency. I am very excited and looking forward to meeting everyone. I've lived in nashville for 12 years, moved here actually to attend Vanderbilt undergrad in '97 and after a Bachelor's in Psychology have lived here since!! Funny that I'm now heading back to Vanderbilt for the residency, but am thrilled to be in such a great program and with other people motivated to learn and be their best. If I can do anything for anyone - please let me know. As I was filling out liscensure paperwork this week I was thinking how difficult it must be for those of you moving from out of state. I can't wait to meet ya'll!

I'm curious - can you tell me a little about the Vanderbilt Residency program? When did you apply - after you graduated and passed the NCLEX or before? Do you have to choose a specialty track before you are admitted or is that something they choose for you? So far I've heard mixed reviews about their program - some have said it's still in the early phases and is improving every year. Others have said it all relies on who you are paired up for as a preceptor. I'd love to hear a little more of first-hand experience so far...thanks in advance. AND most importantly, GOOD LUCK in your interview! Typically be yourself & you'll do fine!

Well, from my experience sometimes schools will accept on-line credits for non-science (psychology of human growth & development, nutrition) however for the hard science courses (A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry...) what I've heard is that taking a class in a classroom setting with an instructor is much better. Especially for a degree like nursing, the courses are the building blocks of everything else we do, so if you miss a concept or don't fully understand the difference between gram negative & gram positive bacteria, etc...the rest of your schooling you'll be playing catch-up. I know for a fact that Vanderbilt accepts classess from Nashville State Community (a TN board of regents school in a classroom setting), Columbia State, Vol State, as well as classess from TSU, MTSU, etc...some of which are not 4 year schools. I would clarify with the admissions instructor and ask her for some suggestions of schools that offer courses in flexible styles (again some of the schools listed above will offer accelerated courses during the summer...they are dealing with LOTS of pre-nursing students). ROPD is a TN Board of Regents program, but again, I've heard administration at my school say that they don't want you taking microbioligy online, even if it's offered through this program. A last note, remember that also, when you are looking at possibly going to grad school (Vanderbilt is a bridge program where you will be expected to think and produce at a masters level) being in a classroom that is guided more by evidence based practice, the more up & coming theories, etc...you will only benefit!! OH, and the lab portion....how will you ever complete a lab if your school is several states away on-line. Maybe that is a good distinguisher...if the class has a lab component, you better take it at a 2 or maybe 4yr college with a live class room setting!!

Unfortunatley many of the Tennessee Board of Regent Community Colleges have similar chaos when it comes to the administrative side of things. Lots of red tape and only minimal support to students. I assume most of the students that attend NSCC are just out of highschool (still living at home) or adult students going back for a few classes here & there...but still working. They are probably not used to helping someone that is going to be a full time student!! I really wish you the best. Have you considered looking into some of the tuition reimbursment programs? If you are going into nursing, several employer and even the federal govt. provide loan forgivness eventually if you agree to work in certain needed medical communities. Oh...also for your text books, someone mentioned the other day there are places on line you can RENT your text books!! And then if you dont' write in them, you can return them for a large refund. Not sure the name or websites...but you should look into this. Good luck.

I would suggest Nashville State Community College on Whitebridge Rd. http://www.nscc.edu/ They also offer some classes on line. Further I know that some of their classess transfer directly to Vanderbilt, lots of students do pre-reqs. there. Other options would be TSU or Columbia State Franklin Campus (close to the Cool Springs area). I know there are some others if you are not in the Nashville metro area, but these are the first that come to mind. Hope this helps!

Has anyone been keeping up with the comments bloggers have been making on the Tennessean website after the article was published 8/1/08 about recent failures at Columbia State Community College? As an employee at Williamson County Hospital I've always heard great things about this school, and it's students...now I'm beginning to wonder? http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808010409 :typing Some of the comments made here are fascinating. I am beginning to really question the state of the nursing education available in Tennessee?! I tend to think what was said about it being related to poor leadership in these programs is so true!! It's sad that someone had to give-up lots of money to get a decent education to become a nurse (i.e. Aquinas, Vanderbilt or Belmont). It seems the state programs are turning out good nurses - but at what cost? and with such a degree of hassle, stress, etc. Does anyone think that it's possible Columbia State will be forced to change, or will they escape this situation with a slap on the wrist? It's interesting this whole dialogue is in the local newspaper between students, current nurses & non-nurses....it really brings it to the wider communities attention. I sure hope that someone high up is paying attention!! Yes, for the current students involved, but also for the bigger picture that it illuminates. :coollook:And it further brings to light why the nursing shortage is so critical and there are some major flaws in the current system of recruting, educating, and training new nurses. Hopefully the paper will follow-up on this piece and not just let it drop. I'm curious to hear other's opinions.