s-lizzy

Hey all, I am a current pre-specialty student in the Psych specialty. Just putting this message out there to let you know I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone may have about the first year, application process, etc. I was in your shoes a year ago sweating out admissions decisions on this site! It's a great program and the faculty are top-notch. Best of luck to you all - you WILL end up where you are meant to be! :)

Hi all, there is currently an active facebook group for Pre-specialty students. Search "VUSN Pre-specialty Class of 2016" to find it!

If you use it you also want to make sure you go to the schools' individual websites to make sure the info is accurate/they offer what you're looking for

No problem! Also searching "direct entry msn" helps too:

@HenryH - yes, there are actually quite a few of these programs. BC, Johns Hopkins, MGH Institute, U. Rochester, Regis College, U Hawaii Manoa, Yale U, Columbia U, U. Southern Maine... just to name a few. All of them vary in length (some are 2 and some 3 years) and by which specialties they offer. Just google "direct entry nursing programs" and you should find a bunch! (If you have any questions let me know :))

Just gave up my spot for Psych.. someone should hear from the waitlist soon!

"Oh, those? Since morning clinicals have started, I've had to invest in a backup alarm clock or two."

selizabethk - vandy students dont need to find their own preceptors (unless they are distance students)... am I right everyone? (if not then ive been horrible misinformed haha)

I agree with tracytracy - the info wasn't all new (although there was some of it - it was great to learn that all of the faculty in the program also practice, and that in the pre-specialty year clinicals are in a 6:1 student:teacher ratio) but having never been to Nashville it was super helpful to be able to go on a tour of the campus and facilities. Talking to students both at the panel and on our tour was also awesome as everyone I talked to loved the program and Nashville. The Vanderbilt Medical Center is super up-to-date, and it seems that during the pre-specialty year we begin our clinical experiences there. Overall I was really impressed with the program's organization and rigor, and how much it supports its students development. I was also happy with how friendly Nashville is as a city and how much fun it is :)

got my email for psych today! so excited to meet everyone

I just officially declined tonight. Best of luck, hope you get it! :)

I think I'll be putting down my deposit tomorrow. Mzaur, a mission trip is another term for a "service trip" - I believe a couple of the locations are Haiti and the DR. We'd be using our acquired nursing skills to help a community in need there.

No problem! They are moving it to Maloney Hall. and I just pm'd you :)

I attended the admitted students' day last Friday. I was really impressed! The faculty that spoke were all really personable and passionate. The campus is beautiful, and apparently the SON is moving to a new building on campus in Summer 2015 (so halfway through our time there), which will be updated and have more classroom space. The cohort size they end up admitting is also super small (like 40 students) and everyone on the student panel attested to how close-knit the group becomes, and how supportive the program is. The program seems very well-respected. There are also three mission trips that occur throughout the year (during breaks in the program) that we are eligible to participate in during the specialty year, which was cool to hear. I'm still personally deciding, but it's definitely at the top of my list.

Hey guys, I'm giving up my spot for PMHNP. Good luck to everyone in their decision making! :)