Vanderbilt MSN 2015

KP84:) · Jan 25, 2015

Hey everyone!

Congrats to those of you who have been accepted, and good luck to those of you still waiting to hear! I am currently an AG-ACNP student at Vanderbilt, so if you have any questions please let me know!

snoozyd, NP · Jan 26, 2015

I didn't realize the program was 2 years. Is anyone else wary of this? I guess that's how they really push the DNP bridge, but if I weren't to do the DNP would I really be well prepared with only 1 year of specialty work?

bostons · Jan 26, 2015

I didn't realize the program was 2 years. Is anyone else wary of this? I guess that's how they really push the DNP bridge, but if I weren't to do the DNP would I really be well prepared with only 1 year of specialty work?

I'm not sure if the two year length is out of the ordinary. Seattle University's FNP program is virtually the same, the only difference being 6 credits taken in one extra summer quarter. Simmons is two extra quarters but I expect the credit load is more spread out than Vanderbilt as they require you to work as an RN after passing the NCLEX. The direct-entry at MGHIHP is 3 years, but I think summers are optional. granted, these are just the schools I applied to so other programs might be totally different.

mshessle · Jan 28, 2015

I got in for FNP, but I have an interview with another school for their NP/DNP program next week. I'd love to go to Vanderbilt, but I'm hesitant to go to such an expensive school just for the name. If I get into the other school, someone on the FNP waitlist is going to be very happy.

wanderlust09 · Jan 28, 2015

Has anyone received a notification saying they are on the waitlist for any of the specialties? I'm curious if any have been sent yet....

alexevans21 · Jan 29, 2015

Last time I called, they said they were still working on the preliminary evaluations and haven't even finished sending out acceptance letters yet. Granted, this was regarding FNP so I can't speak for other specialities. But, from the way they made it sound, very few people have heard back about FNP so far.

wanderlust09 · Jan 29, 2015

Thanks Alex. That information makes me feel a little better then. When I last spoke with Admissions, they said they planned to have the list finalized by next week. The waiting is almost over, hopefully!

snoozyd, NP · Jan 31, 2015

I'm not sure if the two year length is out of the ordinary. Seattle University's FNP program is virtually the same, the only difference being 6 credits taken in one extra summer quarter. Simmons is two extra quarters but I expect the credit load is more spread out than Vanderbilt as they require you to work as an RN after passing the NCLEX. The direct-entry at MGHIHP is 3 years, but I think summers are optional. granted, these are just the schools I applied to so other programs might be totally different.

With the 2 year programs I'm curious how students meet the necessary clinic hours to be able to apply for licensing exams. It's definitely possible to get the hours in a single year, but on top of an already rigorous academic program, and when the clinical placements might be 2 hours away...that seems like a lot. There's a positive side, of course, that you're done with the program a year ahead of other NP students. But it seems like the longer programs might equate to better clinical experiences and grads that are, overall, better prepared for practice.

This is a pro/con thing I've been working out in my head and I'm curious if anyone else has strong feelings either way.

alexevans21 · Feb 2, 2015

I just got off the phone with admissions and they are still working on the applications

taherani · Feb 4, 2015

BoneCrunch I know you mentioned being apprehensive about an FNP program versus an AGACNP since your end goal is to work in an ER, but you aren't allowed to work with pediatric patients with an AGACNP. My advice is to finish the FNP and do a post masters in AGACNP (or vice versa). :)

taherani · Feb 4, 2015

I called the admissions office at Vandy today because I still haven't heard back on a decision (they had told me during my phone interview that decisions would be out by the end of December/start of January). I guess my application is still being reviewed by the FNP professors (already reviewed by the AGACNP ones since I applied for the ENP). They couldn't give me a timeline for when I should hear back, but I hope it's soon! Supposed to have a decision from Duke by February 18th! And I just interviewed with Emory over the weekend so hopefully I'll hear back from them soon! Congrats to everyone that's been accepted so far!

alexevans21 · Feb 4, 2015

FNP is very behind from what I can gather. Everyone I talk to that has applied for FNP is still waiting. I know a few that have been accepted but they are in the minority at the moment. Hopefully it is soon, the anticipation is killing me. What other programs did you apply for? I've heard back from Emory about ABSN+MSN for FNP and I am waiting to hear back from Duke about the same program. I was told we should know the first week in March for Duke, so just wondering where you heard 2/18 from.