Vanderbilt Nurse Residency Program - Winter 2013

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I just mailed off my packet to Vanderbilt today! I'm so nervous and really hoping to get an interview for this program. Adult Critical Care is my first choice. I graduated in May 2012 with my BSN from Washington State University. I thought it would be fun to start a thread for people applying for the Winter 2013 program.

Hoping to meet other people who are applying to this program.

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I just mailed off mine packet today! I applied to the pediatrics tract. I have no idea how many applicants they get or how many spots they're looking to fill. I have two bachelors (first in health management, second in nursing) and seven years in acute care peds. I have applied all over the place and only had one interview. I know they said the market was bad but this is insane! I hope Vanderbilt is interested in people from out of state, I think living in Nashville would be awesome!

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Hi Christina!

I'm assuming they receive a ton of applications for this program. I looked on their website and they post all the students selected for the previous programs. I was surprised to see how many students they accepted. I also have two bachelor degrees (English and Nursing). I have heard that they accept around 100 students or so. I also noticed that many of the students are from out of state. I feel your pain regarding the job market. I have put out a large number of applications and haven't had a single interview. It looks like they accepted 25 students for the Winter 2011 pediatric track.

Nurse Residency Program (New Grads) - Yearbooks

I just received an email from Vanderbilt yesterday letting me know they received the document portion of my application packet. It said that we will receive and email from them the last week of September regarding the next steps. I'm assuming we will find out whether or not we will be interviewed at that time.

Let me know if you hear anything! Fingers crossed!

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Hey Lauren!

I am glad to hear you're having the same struggles, misery loves company =P Where are you located? I am in Boston, MA and it's very competitive market here for pediatrics (or any nursing for that matter). It does look like they accept a lot of students from a variety of locals, but I didn't see any schools from the North... I think other people might be more resistant to relocating but I am actually really excited at the prospect of living in an entirely new place.

As for the market, it is so tiring to hear how short the staffing is at my hospital and yet they do not have the budget to hire new graduates. We are quick learners and are relatively inexpensive compared to experienced nurses. Oh well, there is my rant for the morning...

What is your background?

-Christina

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Christina,

I live in Richland, WA. There are three hospitals in the area, but the market is really tight here. The opportunities for externships and internships are very limited/nonexistent. I thought I would have an advantage because I am willing to relocate, but that doesn't seem to be of any help. I was aware of the market being bad, but didn't anticipate this much trouble.

I was originally going to go to law school after I graduated with my English degree, but the economy tanked and everyone went back to school. 3 months after graduation, my father became ill, was diagnosed with cancer, and passed away 5 days later. This event prompted me to look at going to nursing school and I started my prerequisites a week later. I loved nursing school. It was tough, but worth the time and hard work. I temporarily moved to complete my Senior Practicum in Seattle at Harborview Medical Center's Trauma/Surgical ICU (265 miles from where I live). My experience there was fantastic! I would love to work there, but I think it's time for me to experience living in a totally new location. Most of my work experience has been customer service and legal.

Have you looked into Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, or Swedish in Seattle?

Thanks for chatting with me!

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To those of you applying/who applied, did you write a cover letter for the initial online application? I am a little confused as to what to write since we also have to write a letter of intent and I don't want to basically write the same thing twice. I appreciate any insight, thank you!

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Iridium54,

I attached a cover letter to my initial application because I did not realize they would be sending a packet requesting a letter of intent. However, my cover letter and letter of intent were different. I don't know if it will be an issue or not. I'm sure Tracey Fargo at Vanderbilt would be able to give you a better answer. She is really nice and very helpful.

Good Luck!

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Thanks, LaurenJonesRN!

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Just sent in my packet too. I'm so nervous I won't get an interview because of my lack of hospital experience and hospital volunteering. Guess we shall see. I am also feeling the strain of the bad job market. I just need to have at least one interview to feel a little better.

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alewis08,

Where are you from? What track are you applying for?

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I'm from Philly and applying for peds.

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Hello everyone.

I too applied for the Winter 2013 Vanderbilt Nurse Residency Program - Adult Critical Care track.

I'm from Boston, MA. Graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

I'm excited about this Program and it has been in my thoughts since I first learned about it over a year ago.

Good luck everyone!

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