Vanderbilt MSN 2018

Chappie · Feb 8, 2018

Sorry mis typed should be omta outside Middle Tennessee area, in otherwords distance learning, where you fly in for modified blocks.

HopefullyNP · Feb 8, 2018

@Chappie -ahhh ok thank you. Well even if you had it right I still wouldn't have known what it meant! I vaguely remember a question on the application about where I would prefer to do MSN clinical work - either middle TN or outside the area - does whichever we chose have any effect on admission?? It crossed my mind a few months ago but didn't think much of it at the time. I called just now to ask but no one answered. I just need someone to know I'll go anywhere I had to for a spot in this program!

melaniecpa · Feb 8, 2018

Im in the same boat! I'll go anywhere as long as I'm admitted!

survey2nurse · Feb 9, 2018

I'm in NC as well. Where will you be living? What specialty did you apply to?

jpolzien0 · Feb 9, 2018

I'm in NC as well. Where will you be living? What specialty did you apply to?

Hey! I'll be moving to Fayetteville, I applied ASN to MSN FNP. Where do you live and what specialty did you apply to?

melaniecpa · Feb 9, 2018

Not sure if question was directed to me, but I will answer anyways. :)

I'm from San Diego! I have a bachelor's in accounting. Currently working my last (hopefully) busy season! So excited to move into nursing & to Nashville (if accepted)

MnemonicPneumonia · Feb 10, 2018

Hey all!

I'm a current pre-specialty student at Vandy. I remember being in your seats last year. I wanted to give you all some information to hopefully help in the next few days.

From what I understand, decisions are going out in the middle of next week. We found out on 2/14 of last year. There were many people in our class that never received an email (myself included), so don't rely on an email to notify you of acceptance! I happened to check my application status on the 14th after seeing many others post that they were accepted, and that is how I happened to know I was also accepted. I would have never known if I had not checked there, because there was never an email or mail sent to me. So check your application status next week on the portal and it will show if there has been an update. Also, they usually release that information right at the end of the business day so that they don't get a ton of calls. My application status had been updated around 6 or 7pm, so keep checking back if you initially don't see an answer. Some people had their status updated over the next few days, and then more people as they were moved off the wait list.

Last year, people of all specialties were informed at the same time. Some people were still interviewed the days before and after acceptances were notified, so don't give up until you hear something.

mforte7 · Feb 10, 2018

Hey all!
I'm a current pre-specialty student at Vandy. I remember being in your seats last year. I wanted to give you all some information to hopefully help in the next few days.
From what I understand, decisions are going out in the middle of next week. We found out on 2/14 of last year. There were many people in our class that never received an email (myself included), so don't rely on an email to notify you of acceptance! I happened to check my application status on the 14th after seeing many others post that they were accepted, and that is how I happened to know I was also accepted. I would have never known if I had not checked there, because there was never an email or mail sent to me. So check your application status next week on the portal and it will show if there has been an update. Also, they usually release that information right at the end of the business day so that they don't get a ton of calls. My application status had been updated around 6 or 7pm, so keep checking back if you initially don't see an answer. Some people had their status updated over the next few days, and then more people as they were moved off the wait list.
Last year, people of all specialties were informed at the same time. Some people were still interviewed the days before and after acceptances were notified, so don't give up until you hear something.

Thank you so much for this information and advice! Im wondering if you might be willing to answer a few questions I have about your experience in the program as Im unable to attend visiting day. I would so so appreciate it!

mforte7 · Feb 10, 2018

The short answer is if you are pre-specialty which means that you have to be physically on campus your first year in Nashville, then Vandy will find clinical placements for you (you are considered MTA). In your MSN year(s), Vandy will also help you find clinicals if you continue to remain in Nashville with the exception of your last semester which they call integration where you will be sent away for the semester to work in another part of the country. Again, they will have the database to help you with finding a place since they do have existing relationships. If you plan on going to a part of the country where they have no existing relationships for your integration then you will have to find a clinical site on your own with support from the university.
If you are a distance learner (I believe they call them OTA) that is doing the modified block who comes to campus sporadically every month or two, then you will normally have to find your own clinical site in the area where you are living. Vandy does have a database of resources with alumni and other resources that could provide potential leads but finding and securing clinicals is still your responsibility if you are doing distance learning. You will work with the Office of Clinical Placements to negotiate a contract and get it signed and filed with the office.
It also varies by specialty, for my specialty Midwifery, we are required to stay in Nashville for our entire training with the exception of integration. For other specialties like FNP etc, you are allowed to transition to distance learning once you finish your pre-specialty year and you are in your MSN year which means what I said above about finding your own clinical placements will apply with help from Vandy.
That was how it was explained to me during my interview, other students please chime in if anything needs to be corrected.

Do you know if its at all possible to switch specialties after completing pre-specialty year? Also, I was told that most classes are online, even for those that aren't distance learners. If this is correct, how was this experience for you? The online factor is someone of a concern for me because Im a hands on learner and enjoy making connections with faculty etc. Thank you for any input you're able to offer!

KMD51 · Feb 10, 2018

Hey all!
I'm a current pre-specialty student at Vandy. I remember being in your seats last year. I wanted to give you all some information to hopefully help in the next few days.
From what I understand, decisions are going out in the middle of next week. We found out on 2/14 of last year. There were many people in our class that never received an email (myself included), so don't rely on an email to notify you of acceptance! I happened to check my application status on the 14th after seeing many others post that they were accepted, and that is how I happened to know I was also accepted. I would have never known if I had not checked there, because there was never an email or mail sent to me. So check your application status next week on the portal and it will show if there has been an update. Also, they usually release that information right at the end of the business day so that they don't get a ton of calls. My application status had been updated around 6 or 7pm, so keep checking back if you initially don't see an answer. Some people had their status updated over the next few days, and then more people as they were moved off the wait list.
Last year, people of all specialties were informed at the same time. Some people were still interviewed the days before and after acceptances were notified, so don't give up until you hear something.

Thank you so so much!

MnemonicPneumonia · Feb 10, 2018

I don't mind answering any questions that you have!

It is possible to switch specialties. You can request a switch after the pre-specialty year, but it isn't guaranteed. I'd recommend putting in the request as early as possible.

The pre-specialty year has everything in person. You'll be busy M-F with either class, lab, or clinical. The specialty year is mostly online. Classes meet one weekend a month, so the stuff for the other 3 weeks of the month involve independent and online learning. This is true even for those that stay in Nashville for the specialty year.

I am still in the pre-specialty year, so I can't speak for how difficult the online learning portion is for the specialty year.

reirogue · Feb 10, 2018

I don't mind answering any questions that you have!
It is possible to switch specialties. You can request a switch after the pre-specialty year, but it isn't guaranteed. I'd recommend putting in the request as early as possible.
The pre-specialty year has everything in person. You'll be busy M-F with either class, lab, or clinical. The specialty year is mostly online. Classes meet one weekend a month, so the stuff for the other 3 weeks of the month involve independent and online learning. This is true even for those that stay in Nashville for the specialty year.
I am still in the pre-specialty year, so I can't speak for how difficult the online learning portion is for the specialty year.

I appreciate the info you're posting! I know you may not know too much but if you happen to have any other info of the online portion that would be super helpful! Like how much assistance is available, are classes at certain times online or are you just released to your own devices? I do so poorly with online learning because there's usually not a schedule and it's up to you to teach yourself everything. Thanks for any info you can provide!