charlene212

I am currently working as a traveler at Vanderbilt Children's in the NICU. It is an amazing place!!!

I agree...several red flags went off when I spoke with them.

I actually talked to Nightengale and that is who they "contract" through. I think I would be more comfortable in an apartment too. It sounds like you make less money though if you don't go into the extended stay.

Thanks for responding. I'm glad things are looking better. I do have a compact license so I guess that will open me up to more possibilities. I thought they were suppose to put you in an apartment, not an Extended Stay. Did both of them do this?

I am looking into getting started as a travel nurse and was wondering what it looks like for NICU Nurses. I am flexible on days or nights and there are many states I would be willing to go to. I am currently in Texas with a full time job and don't want to leave if the market is not great for us yet. I have 2 years of experience as a NICU nurse. Also any advice on which agencies to stay away from as well as locations to stay away from would be helpful. Thanks for your help!!!

I have a high arch and they are perfect for someone like me. I wouldn't wear anything else other than Dansko's. They feel like house shoes to me after I broke them in. They are a little stiff at first but give them some time.

I agree it is very hard to get a job as a new graduate right now. I applied all over the country since I was only applying for NICU, L&D, Post partum, and anything Pedi related. I did recently get a job offer in NICU (which was my first choice) in Longview. If you are willing to relocate and are flexible, you might find what you are looking for.

Angel RN 1, Thank you for letting me know that. I am shocked that with your experience that you didn't get picked first. I wish we knew how they chose people. Charlene

If you are willing to go to Spring Hill or Columbia (south of Nashville - about a 45 min drive to Vandy) then you can find town homes or even a rent house for about $1000...up near Vandy, it is going to be tough unless you get a real small one bedroom. Bellevue would be an option too but it is not as nice (some safe areas though)... I lived in Franklin near the Cool Springs Mall (nice area that is a little more expensive) and was paying $800 for a large (over 800 sq. ft) one bedroom at Alara Farms. http://nashville.craigslist.org/hhh/ Thank you...I hope things work out for me out there too even though Vandy didn't. That was my first choice...I am still in school and will graduate this December with an associates degree...I was asking about what degree people had that are getting into the Vandy program because hospitals here are starting to pick those with Bachelors degrees first so my class is having trouble finding jobs. I wonder if a Bachelors degree got you more points with Vandy...I have 2 1/2 yrs of experience in a hospital, worked as a police/fire/EMS dispatcher and have my EMT license so I am a little surprised that I didn't have enough points since I thought the interview went amazing...guess it wasn't meant to be though.

LeahB5622, Feel free to ask me anything about that area...What price range are you looking for? I was also concerned about being a single female so I was willing to pay a little more to live in a nicer area. I do have application in at 4 other hospitals in Nashville so I am still hoping for one of those. I do have a job offer here in Texas but really want to move back to Tennessee (my boyfriend lives there). If I do not get there right away, I will probably move there after completing my commitment at a hospital and then move there as an "experienced nurse".

I lived there for 3 years (which is why I was trying to move back)...If you can afford to live in Franklin, Brentwood or Spring Hill those are the best areas but they are more expensive (Williamson County). I lived in Alara Farms apartments when I moved there and they were amazing!!! Also look at Craigslist for a rental house if you prefer that. Spring Hill is more reasonable for houses or townhouses and they have a couple apartment complexes too. Bellvue has some nice areas but just make sure you check it out. I would stay away from north of Nashville or east of Nashville just for the reason of traffic. You will spend so much more time driving into downtown Nashville. West End or Vandy areas are nice but expensive also. Feel free to ask any questions you might have about the area...I really miss living there. Good luck... Charlene

Thanks Jenn....I asked about NICU a lot too since that is where I wanted to be and have experience too (experience in ER, Adult ICU, NICU and L&D)...I am really disappointed I didn't even get on the waiting list.

I got a decline letter and so did 2 others from my school...I even have experience in a hospital and EMT....I don't get it. Those who got in, did you have a bachelor degree? I am trying to figure out what happened...

I recently got an email stating I qualified for an interview for the Pediatric Track at Vanderbilt!! I lived in Tennessee for 3 years and am hoping to get back there (I am in Texas now). I am wondering if anybody can give advice and questions they asked during the interview. I am also wondering what the difference is between the 1st interview and the 2nd interview. How long do you wait until you hear back after the interviews? Thanks!!