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?! :)

Specializes in Mental Health.

I just got mine today too for psych. I'm in NJ

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I live about 5 hours away from Nashville, so that's not very helpful actually. mzaur getting one NJ is more exciting news

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I just got mine today too for psych. I'm in NJ

Did your application page update before you got the packet or no?

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selizabethk - vandy students dont need to find their own preceptors (unless they are distance students)... am I right everyone? (if not then ive been horrible misinformed haha)

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s-lizzy and heart_and_hands - thanks for your responses!

my understanding (per the "packet" i received today which was actually just a few sheets of paper) is that only certain specialties have their specialty year clinics arranged for them in the Nashville area, and that other students either elect to do their placements in the middle tennessee area (up to a 2 hour one way drive away from campus) or outside of this 2 hour range. If they go outside of the 2 hour range, students must find their own preceptors. Based on this information, I'm hesitant to allow Vanderbilt to arrange a placement in middle tennessee if it could be a four hour round trip from campus, but I also don't like to idea of having to find my own preceptors. My specialty (AGPC) is offered in a block format, so a lot of the learning is done online and I only need to be on campus a few times a year. It seems like a lot of specialties make use of this format. I'm still deciding how I feel about it!

If anyone has different information or a different understanding please let me know!!

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also - does anyone know how big the pre-specialty year cohort is?

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Specializes in Mental Health.
Did your application page update before you got the packet or no?

Yes I received an email that my application page updated on Friday

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Specializes in Mental Health.
also - does anyone know how big the pre-specialty year cohort is?

I think it's around 150 total for all specialties

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selizabethk: Wow, I agree with your hesitation toward having to drive really far or having to find your own preceptors. I don't don't want to have to do that either! Regarding the block format, from what I read online, it looked like the block format (aka distance learning, right?) is only available to people who have been RNs for two years, so this wouldn't apply to us pre-specialty students...Right? Or are you a direct-entry student? Or maybe that rule only applies to my specialty? (AGAC) So many questions! ha

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Specializes in Mental Health.

It depends on your specialty and whether or not you are pre-specialty or direct entry (with an RN already) -- see this page for details Distributed Course Delivery and Flexible Formats | Master of Science in Nursing | Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

As for clinical sites, I guess the travel distance depends on your specialty. I was told for Psych that all clinical sites are in the Nashville area, and of course they find preceptors for you (I would not be willing to pay this much $ if they didn't, lol)

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There's also a separate thread about Vandy's travel requirements (this is of particular concern to me, as NMW students have the most travel of any specialty): https://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=901102

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Hi All! I finally decided to join the group. I've been reading through this board for weeks and feel like I know you all. I'm in the waiting game for non-nurse FNP. The longer I have to wait the more nervous I am getting! I applied to 5 schools total, with Vandy being the only one with the combined masters degree. The rest of my schools are just Accelerated BSN programs. Of the ABSN programs, I was admitted to one already, but declined. And the other three I am waiting to hear back. I can't get my nerve up to call the admissions office and I keep frantically check my email for that "status update" notification from vandy. Vandy is my #1 choice but i am not sure if my stats are impressive enough. good luck to everyone! Also, I live in the Memphis area so if anyone has any questions about tennessee in genral I'd love to help =)

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