Vanderbilt Pre-Specialty Applicants 2014

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Hey everyone! I couldn't find this thread anywhere so figured that I would start one for all of us who applied to Vanderbilt's Pre-Specialty Entry program (for non-RNs) this fall. I applied for the PMHNP specialty. What about you?! :)

heart_and_hands, that is great to know, thank you!

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I agree with tracytracy - the info wasn't all new (although there was some of it - it was great to learn that all of the faculty in the program also practice, and that in the pre-specialty year clinicals are in a 6:1 student:teacher ratio) but having never been to Nashville it was super helpful to be able to go on a tour of the campus and facilities. Talking to students both at the panel and on our tour was also awesome as everyone I talked to loved the program and Nashville. The Vanderbilt Medical Center is super up-to-date, and it seems that during the pre-specialty year we begin our clinical experiences there. Overall I was really impressed with the program's organization and rigor, and how much it supports its students development. I was also happy with how friendly Nashville is as a city and how much fun it is :)

did anyone speak to the process of finding a preceptor during specialty year? i know other schools guarantee you at least 2-3 clinical sites during your NP year, do you know if students at Vanderbilt only typically have one since they have to find their preceptors themselves?

i am trying to decide between vandy and BC - both pretty comparable in that you do not get your BSN and they are short programs. anyone also in this predicament??

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did anyone speak to the process of finding a preceptor during specialty year? i know other schools guarantee you at least 2-3 clinical sites during your NP year, do you know if students at Vanderbilt only typically have one since they have to find their preceptors themselves?

i am trying to decide between vandy and BC - both pretty comparable in that you do not get your BSN and they are short programs. anyone also in this predicament??

@selizabethk, what's your specialty? For NMW at least, they assign you multiple clinical sites throughout the specialty year and then the final semester is integration, where you are placed with a preceptor for 10 weeks straight. NMW students do not have to find their own preceptors, as the school already has an approved list (mostly alums) and would prefer to place you with their approved preceptors, though they will consider adding a new preceptor to their list if you already have a specific one in mind. I'm not sure how the other specialties handle preceptorships in the specialty year, though- anyone else want to chime in?

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I just spoke to someone at the school and evidently Nashville got hit with an ice storm, so they are working with a skeletal crew today. They told me that once a decision has been made regarding your application you will get an email telling you that your status has changed. At that point you can log into your online application and see your decision. She also said decisions are still being made.

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heart_and_hands --where is the admitted students page at? I called vandy this am, and my application is still awaiting decision, but the lady said they were still trying to catch up with everyone.

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heart_and_hands --where is the admitted students page at? I called vandy this am, and my application is still awaiting decision, but the lady said they were still trying to catch up with everyone.

The admitted students page is on the left sidebar of the VUSN webpage, right above current & prospective students sections: https://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/newstudents/newstudents.html

The storm hit pretty hard, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if they're too understaffed to get it up for another day or two.

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Ok cool--thanks!!

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I just spoke to someone at the school and evidently Nashville got hit with an ice storm, so they are working with a skeletal crew today. They told me that once a decision has been made regarding your application you will get an email telling you that your status has changed. At that point you can log into your online application and see your decision. She also said decisions are still being made.

Are decisions still being made for ALL specialties?

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Yes, that was my understanding.

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They're sending a packet in the mail too, right? Anyone gotten theirs yet?

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I got a packet this morning. Mine was in a regular envelope. It had 3 letters: a general admissions letter, a letter specific to your specialty program and then a letter outlining the pre-specialty year in a little bit more deal. No financial aid info. I got it about 2 business days after my online notification.

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Fingers-crossed, where do you live?

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