Residency Programs - Versant vs UHC/AACN?

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I'm a senior nursing student due to graduate in May 2014. My hope is to start a residency program after graduation. Location isn't important, but finding the right fit is. I have been looking at both Versant and UHC/AACN programs. Are there any major differences between them? Versant seems to be shorter, but other than that.. I can't find any huge differences.

I'd love to end up the ED and will be completing my senior preceptorship in the ED. There is a Versant program at a small rural hospital near where I'm originally from that will take new grads into the ED. However, I've completed all of my clinicals at a large well known teaching hospital in the city and love the environment. This hospital has the UHC/AACN residency program, but the ED is understandably hard to get into as a new grad.

My question is: would it be better to apply to the hospitals I would like to work at and take whatever my placement is and later transfer to the ED or apply to the smaller, rural hospital to start in the ED and then apply to a larger hospital later? Of course, I'm also looking for opinions on these residency programs as well. Does one give a better foundation or is it largely dependent on your preceptor on the floor?

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