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Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Mar 4, 2009

The direct entry (DE) students have to live in Nashville and complete a RN program before they begin NP classes. When I was there, the DE students had to complete the NP program in Nashville. Since I was already a BSN, I was able to complete my clinical hours in another state, but I had to attend monthly block sessions in Nashville. Maybe there are some Vandy DE students out there who can chime in and tell us about the difference between the two. However, I remember that some of the DE students had already started the NP program before they had even passed the NCLEX. They weren't allowed to begin clinicals until they passed it.
Another thing, Vandy doesn't award a BSN, so the nursing students go directly into a MSN program. Some of the top NP programs in the nation are now starting DE programs, it's not just Vandy. Apparently, there are studies that have shown that patient outcomes are similar, whether they're treated by DE NP's or traditional NP's - in primary care anyway. Seriously though, I worked as a RN in a hospital setting (med/surg and psych/detox) and I don't think the med/surg experience really helped me that much in primary care. I honestly think the psych experience has helped me the most.
Get this, I'm considering working a few days per month doing physical assessments for an insurance company. I had to take some RN/NP tests and I STRUGGLED with the RN exams (thank GOD I passed). The NP exams were a piece of cake, but the RN stuff encompassed things that I learned/practiced years ago! That goes to show you that there really is a big difference in the RN & NP scope of practice!

Good point. I for one would never not hire someone from Vanderbilt just because the school might have a horrible reputation. Everyone needs to be judged on their own merits.

As far as the direct entry programs go, the only comment I have is that people are being born smarter these days, or perhaps I'm just dumb as a box a rocks. I count on every bit of my 20 years of health care exp to negotiate clinical internships and often I'm humbled my patients. One thing is for sure, at least for me, there is no way I'd attempt this deal without a solid clinical -based foundation in health care.

ANPFNPGNP · Mar 4, 2009

Good point. I for one would never not hire someone from Vanderbilt just because the school might have a horrible reputation. Everyone needs to be judged on their own merits.

Vanderbilt is one of the top universities in the nation and their NP program is highly respected. I would have never gone there if it were anything less. I researched a lot of NP programs and they have one of the best. I attended 3 different NP programs and Vanderbilt's was the best.

MissBehavin · Mar 5, 2009

thank you for all of your input. Bascially im deciding bn the big name, great reputation school, and a smaller, well respected program in Boston. The smaller one offered me a nice scholarship...I estimate the difference in debt is about 35-40k (however, both are still being significant). Now with that in mind...is 35-40k worth the fancy name/reputation...it appears most of you believe its not.

Just a side note. Some programs like VANDY accelerate their masters NP programs. Most of their NP programs are about 43K for the year (and your done). Some state schools are cheaper, but when you add up the expenses of going 2 years it comes to about the same amount. Just a thought. Good luck wherever u all decide to attend.

jnd1213 · Mar 5, 2009

Just a side note. Some programs like VANDY accelerate their masters NP programs. Most of their NP programs are about 43K for the year (and your done). Some state schools are cheaper, but when you add up the expenses of going 2 years it comes to about the same amount. Just a thought. Good luck wherever u all decide to attend.

Thanks for the input. Since I will be direct entry student, I am avoiding the "fast" programs. One school is boston, for example, would make me an NP in 2 years! I think that is way too soon to feel adequately prepared...

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Mar 6, 2009

Just a side note. Some programs like VANDY accelerate their masters NP programs. Most of their NP programs are about 43K for the year (and your done). Some state schools are cheaper, but when you add up the expenses of going 2 years it comes to about the same amount. Just a thought. Good luck wherever u all decide to attend.

I don't think I understand. I went to a state school and in two years it added up to less than 10K.

ANPFNPGNP · Mar 6, 2009

I don't think I understand. I went to a state school and in two years it added up to less than 10K.

It's because you attended a state school and not a private school.

jlcole45 · Mar 7, 2009

Some us have to go with what we can afford, especially in this economy. I was accepted at

Duke University but was not awarded a scholarship and as a result I had to decline the offer of admission. Now I am attending one of our State schools.

Here was the difference Duke $1053/cr hr, state school $159 cr hr. Both had many of their

classes on line. Both are about the same total credit hours and practical hr requirements (and I have to set up my own clinicals), but the price tag at the end was huge for Duke. I can not afford to get tens of thousands of dollars into debt. Can you? And is it really worth it? Will I really make that much more money with the Duke degree to offset the $35,000 difference? I don't think so, at least not from my research.

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Mar 7, 2009

As a Vanderbilt grad, I agree with A/F/GNP. Sometimes, the name is worth more than the precious state card you carry in your wallet. A lot of where you need to go, depends upon what you want to do.

I chose VU over two other choices, a state school and a private religious university. Both of which would have cost me little to nothing to attend due to generious funding from the government. I believe if you look around a bit, you'll find that those prestigious private schools can be supplemented from scholarships and the government. Have you thought about the military? Even part-time? The sign-on bonuses would pay for most of the tuition to Duke, Vandy, Stanford, MGH, etc.

Listen to A/F/GNP, $70K in debt is not wise. If you plan to work as a countryNP versus a Deanship at a university, the paths could be very different, although the salary may not. I know of several city NPs making well over $100K, which is more than many Department chairpersons or Deans. But, if you wish to take the academic/administrative route, a degree from a powerhouse may not be bad advice. So really, look around a bit before you decide on which school to attend. Do your home work, find some funding before just borrowing it. I'd hate to see you "degree rich and house poor."

Good luck!

jnd1213 · Mar 7, 2009

Some us have to go with what we can afford, especially in this economy. I was accepted at
Duke University but was not awarded a scholarship and as a result I had to decline the offer of admission. Now I am attending one of our State schools.
Here was the difference Duke $1053/cr hr, state school $159 cr hr. Both had many of their
classes on line. Both are about the same total credit hours and practical hr requirements (and I have to set up my own clinicals), but the price tag at the end was huge for Duke. I can not afford to get tens of thousands of dollars into debt. Can you? And is it really worth it? Will I really make that much more money with the Duke degree to offset the $35,000 difference? I don't think so, at least not from my research.

I am making the same decision as you. If you go to an MBA program thats ranked in the top 10 compared to one that is not ranked, you WILL MAKE SIGNIFICANTLY more amounts of money and it WILL change your career. An NP is an NP no matter where they go. Besides, some of the people who get into these "top ranked" nursing programs would not have gotten into a prestigious undergrad degree...its like comparing apples and oranges. I was not "Ivy" material as an undergrad but got into all the "Ivy" nursing programs. Case and point.