Vanderbilt Pre-Specialty Applicants 2014

Louise1017 · Jan 28, 2014

And the for the FNP portion, you could potentially go wherever home is and do clinicals there. They stressed over and over how difficult it is to provide enough clinical placements in the Nashville area for FNP.

gabookworm · Jan 28, 2014

The depth and breadth of experience is very appealing to me, but I can't really justify having to travel that far for clinicals for multiple semesters because I have young children. They said the FNP portion (for those who stay local) involves mostly rural clinical sites. I suspect the reason they stress all of it so much in interviews (for those who have them) is because they know it will weed out a bunch of folks. I felt put on the spot in my interview and wanted to think about it before deciding what would be feasible for my family, so I said it wouldn't be a problem for me, but ultimately, I'm really glad to have another option because it sounds like a lot more of a logistics hassle than we can manage without the help of extended family.

TarraLune · Jan 28, 2014

Mzaur-

I asked them about clinical sites and they said that they were within a 2 hour radius of Nashville. However, they place you for the majority of your hours with a local clinical dealing with your specific population. They rotate you through the others because it gives you more experience and you can make job decisions based on what you experienced in the setting during clinicals. I believe we even do prison psychiatric clinicals. Also, they give you the option of setting up your own clinicals back home or in another state. So you could potentially do clinicals in Colorado or New York and gain experience there.

I don't believe things are set in stone they want you to do well in the program and are willing to work with you to make that happen.

For example, if the population you wish to work with are active service personnel dealing with PTSD, then they would set you up a clinical at Fort Campbell military base which is 1.5 hours away from Nashville.

Or Pediatric rotations through St. Judes which is 3 hours away.

Gerontology? Out of state clinical in Boston with the lead researchers into how centenarians stave off the neural plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimers.

There is method to the madness; in order to give you a well rounded education they try to set you up with innovators and leaders in the field.

TarraLune · Jan 28, 2014

Got my financial aid packet today! Woot woot!

nkw05 · Jan 28, 2014

So did I! And thanks TarraLune for all the info you're sharing. It does seem kind of crazy to me the intense distance stuff for the specialty year. Of course it would be absolutely incredible to work with and learn from the people who are leading the way in our specific fields, but relocating a second time within two years is also a lot of stress (if we do have to go out of state or super far for the speciality year clinicals). Especially since we still have to come back for classes!

Despite all that though, I'm very excited to read through the financial aid stuff and gather some more information!!

TarraLune · Jan 28, 2014

You guys are very welcome :)

I'm worried about the distance as well - I know how traffic can be >.

Louise1017 · Jan 28, 2014

Totally understandable. I have three kids myself ages 6, 4, and 2. We've decided that they will stay here in Illinois with their dad so they can remain in schools they love and be near grandparents. I just feel like pushing through school right now while I still have a good head of steam behind me will be easier than waiting until they're older with even more attachment to friends and schools. I'm sure I'll get into it and at some point be wondering what in the world I was thinking, but we'll get through it somehow. Good luck to you in planning for your future!

gabookworm · Jan 28, 2014

Totally understandable. I have three kids myself ages 6 4, and 2. We've decided that they will stay here in Illinois with their dad so they can remain in schools they love and be near grandparents. I just feel like pushing through school right now while I still have a good head of steam behind me will be easier than waiting until they're older with even more attachment to friends and schools. I'm sure I'll get into it and at some point be wondering what in the world I was thinking, but we'll get through it somehow. Good luck to you in planning for your future![/quote']
Mine are the same ages, or will be in the next couple months. We'd consider doing the same thing perhaps, given that we live within three hours of Nashville now, but we have no family here, so my husband would be on his own. Maybe I'll give that option some more thought, though, since we're in wait and see mode anyway.

RNGen311 · Jan 30, 2014

Hello, all!

I'm new to this forum but found it via google search. I've also applied to the PMHNP program for Fall 2014. And, like many I've read thus far, I've also received an email to schedule my phone interview; it's set for this Friday at 10:30 CST. I was mainly searching for tips and advice regarding the interview as I'm already extremely nervous. In reading y'all's comments, I can say that I feel more confident and comfortable with the program. Looking forward to having more conversation with all of you in the future!

aritakum · Jan 30, 2014

Good to find this forum! RNGen311, my interview is scheduled at 11:30 Friday! Good luck to you.

For those who have already finished a phone interview, do you have any tips? I understand that the questions are mostly based on the questions they ask on the application?

Thanks .....

PS: I have applied for the long distance PMHNP program

RNGen311 · Jan 30, 2014

I applied for the long-distance program, too. Good luck to you, too, aritakum!

mzaur · Jan 30, 2014

I had my interview a couple weeks ago. My advice is to relax, reread your personal statement and survey answers, and think of questions to ask at the end. There's nothing to be nervous about.