Vanderbilt Pre-Specialty Entry 2021

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I noticed there was not a thread created for Vanderbilt pre-specialty nursing for 2021, so I created one. Is anyone already preparing for this upcoming application cycle?

Specializes in Healthcare Administration.

I also applied to the Midwife Speciality. I have not had a chance to visit Nashville, so I too have a lot of the same questions and concerns about the culture. I was born and raised in New York, have been living in North Carolina for the past 2 years and it was a serious culture shock. I’m nervous but very much excited. I feel like as professionals in the healthcare field we are a dynamic and extraordinary group of people that can thrive any setting and set the standards of care for the future. We got This! Congratulations to everyone that has been accepted into to other programs. 
 

I also have been looking up rentals within a few miles of the school, I was advised to sort out living as soon as possible to get  “1st pickings” .Although we don’t know what the campus life will be like due to Covid. I’m hopeful ? 

 

 


 

 

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Hi all just want to do a short response about Nashville! This is my hometown and I currently attend a school in the same area as Vanderbilt. Our city is beautiful and full of activities and great food! Most of us pretty much hold up to our reputation of southern hospitality. Vanderbilt is located in an area that has lots of resources (also known as the heart of Nashville) and rent is generally on the higher side. The Nursing building has new construction inside that is beautiful and many sim labs and classrooms that are very high tech. If your willing to drive a little longer distance we do have some cheaper housing around.

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Specializes in Midwifery.

Looks like a few people have questions/concerns about Nashville so glad I brought it up! 

@secondtimer14Yea I hear you! I definitely think it's doable, might take some adapting but hopefully a good experience overall. I imagine the program draws people from all over the country too, so hopefully adding to the diversity. And yes with kids you definitely have more to consider! What neighborhoods were you looking at? 

And thanks! UCSF of course has a great reputation and is more familiar to me since I'm from that area, but I actually feel pretty drawn to Vandy. Will be a tough choice if admitted to both, we'll see! 

@Asia8701Nice to see another midwifery applicant! I feel you, I was living in Texas for awhile and it was a bit of a culture shock too. I did end up liking it there, but felt I never really found "my people" if that makes sense. I love what you said about being able to thrive in any setting and set the standards of care for the future though - totally agree! Did you apply anywhere else? 

@Xowater22 Thanks for sharing and yay for great food ?  As a local what neighborhoods would you recommend people look for housing? 

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8 minutes ago, h_midwife said:

Looks like a few people have questions/concerns about Nashville so glad I brought it up! 

@secondtimer14Yea I hear you! I definitely think it's doable, might take some adapting but hopefully a good experience overall. I imagine the program draws people from all over the country too, so hopefully adding to the diversity. And yes with kids you definitely have more to consider! What neighborhoods were you looking at? 

And thanks! UCSF of course has a great reputation and is more familiar to me since I'm from that area, but I actually feel pretty drawn to Vandy. Will be a tough choice if admitted to both, we'll see! 

@Asia8701Nice to see another midwifery applicant! I feel you, I was living in Texas for awhile and it was a bit of a culture shock too. I did end up liking it there, but felt I never really found "my people" if that makes sense. I love what you said about being able to thrive in any setting and set the standards of care for the future though - totally agree! Did you apply anywhere else? 

@Xowater22 Thanks for sharing and yay for great food ?  As a local what neighborhoods would you recommend people look for housing? 

I'd be looking in either 12-South or Hillsboro. Both of these have great public schools that are diverse and the neighborhoods are supposed to be great, and near Vandy. It's expensive though. But for me it's that or move to the suburbs, and I don't think Nashville suburbs are my vibe. 

I'm midwifery track too, btw. The great thing about relocating for a school program is you make friends (mostly) from your cohort. We'll be going through trial by fire together of an accelerated intense graduate program, which is a real bonding opportunity ?.   

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Specializes in Midwifery.
2 minutes ago, secondtimer14 said:

I'd be looking in either 12-South or Hillsboro. Both of these have great public schools that are diverse and the neighborhoods are supposed to be great. It's expensive though. But for me it's that or move to the suburbs, and I don't think Nashville suburbs are my vibe. 

I'm midwifery track too, btw. The great thing about relocating for a school program is you make friends (mostly) from your cohort. We'll be going through trial by fire together of an accelerated intense graduate program, which is a real bonding opportunity ?.   

Oh OK awesome! And yes, absolutely! 

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Specializes in Healthcare Administration.

I definitely notice that closer to the campus housing can get pretty expensive. Any idea if campus parking might be available to us? 

@secondtimer14 I had all intentions to apply to John Hopkins, but unfortunately I did not complete my application by the deadline. if vandy is not an option for me for Fall 2021 good chance I will just reapply here again. I really excited about Vandy's Midwifery Specialty, during my research its not many MSN programs for non-nurses that allow you to graduate with a Midwife specialty.  

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4 minutes ago, Asia8701 said:

I definitely notice that closer to the campus housing can get pretty expensive. Any idea if campus parking might be available to us? 

@secondtimer14 I had all intentions to apply to John Hopkins, but unfortunately I did not complete my application by the deadline. if vandy is not an option for me for Fall 2021 good chance I will just reapply here again. I really excited about Vandy's Midwifery Specialty, during my research its not many MSN programs for non-nurses that allow you to graduate with a Midwife specialty.  

Vandy does seem exceptional for its midwifery program. For me it's pretty much Vandy or Yale. All the other good direct-entry midwifery programs were either too expensive (location or tuition) or too lengthy. Between those two, I believe Vandy is probably the slightly better program, but I'm worried about the logistics of the non-local clinical rotations, and I would prefer to live in Connecticut over Nashville. So Yale has the slight edge for me, *if* I got into both. A substantial scholarship at one place and not the other would be a game-changer. But I'm still in the just-hoping-to-have-the-enormous-privilege-of-getting-in phase, forget scholarships...

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15 minutes ago, secondtimer14 said:

Vandy does seem exceptional for its midwifery program. For me it's pretty much Vandy or Yale. All the other good direct-entry midwifery programs were either too expensive (location or tuition) or too lengthy. Between those two, I believe Vandy is probably the slightly better program, but I'm worried about the logistics of the non-local clinical rotations, and I would prefer to live in Connecticut over Nashville. So Yale has the slight edge for me, *if* I got into both. A substantial scholarship at one place and not the other would be a game-changer. But I'm still in the just-hoping-to-have-the-enormous-privilege-of-getting-in phase, forget scholarships...

Wow, I feel like you're in my head. I could have written this same post! Waiting to hear from Yale and Vanderbilt's Midwifery programs here as well. There is so much to consider for both schools and I've been having a hard time trying to figure out which one I'd prefer to go to. Of course, I would be thrilled to get into either of them, but there are so many pros/cons to each route. Is it true that we have to find our own preceptors at Vandy? That, along with the potential OMTA placements, is a bit concerning to me. I also applied to the dual track CNM/FNP and it appears that the FNP portion is all online. I don't really like online classes (although it's unavoidable at the moment) and that has me a bit hesitant. Other than those considerations though, I would for sure say Vandy's my top choice. So much to consider...but I suppose I should wait and see what my options truly are before making a choice! Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Midwifery.
5 minutes ago, Daeron said:

Wow, I feel like you're in my head. I could have written this same post! Waiting to hear from Yale and Vanderbilt's Midwifery programs here as well. There is so much to consider for both schools and I've been having a hard time trying to figure out which one I'd prefer to go to. Of course, I would be thrilled to get into either of them, but there are so many pros/cons to each route. Is it true that we have to find our own preceptors at Vandy? That, along with the potential OMTA placements, is a bit concerning to me. I also applied to the dual track CNM/FNP and it appears that the FNP portion is all online. I don't really like online classes (although it's unavoidable at the moment) and that has me a bit hesitant. Other than those considerations though, I would for sure say Vandy's my top choice. So much to consider...but I suppose I should wait and see what my options truly are before making a choice! Good luck to you!

You don't have to find your own preceptors with Vandy - you just have to be prepared to have one or more rotations outside the middle Tennessee area. I spoke to a current student who had one in Florida and one in Chicago, for example. This factor of the program is both a pro and a con for me! One on hand I love variety and it could be neat to experience clinicals/midwifery in various locations. On the other the logistics of course seem a bit tough. I was told that they do ask students for input as to where they might have friends/family that they could potentially stay with, as well as considering individual students' goals and personalities for placements. They are open to trying to place you somewhere you may have a particular interest in, as long as there isn't another midwifery program in that area. (This is just for the midwifery track students, FYI!)

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Specializes in Healthcare Administration.

I was not aware that placements could be in a totally different state, I thought outside of middle Tennessee area (outskirts) I agree that having the  versatility would be exciting, but that's does leave me with a lot to ponder about. Thanks for that Info. 

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1 minute ago, Asia8701 said:

I was not aware that placements could be in a totally different state, I thought outside of middle Tennessee area (outskirts) I agree that having the  versatility would be exciting, but that's does leave me with a lot to ponder about. Thanks for that Info. 

Spring of second year is in "middle TN" (within 3 hours of Nashville, I believe,) and then both Summer and fall of second/third year are two separate placements anywhere in the country. At least one of these three must be outside Nashville, according to the website. 

I agree that the clinical rotations are a pro and con, because it's a logistical challenge but a huge strength of the program - you get to see totally different practice styles/models, urban v rural settings, etc. If I was childless it would be a big plus. But for me with school-aged kids, three different locations for Spring, Summer, and fall is...a challenge. I can be flexible on Summer, since kids are out of school, and fall would be OK if they place me back in my ideal job market because we would just settle back in there for good. Basically I think it can be done, it's just going to be a tough 6 months.

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If you all haven't watched the webinar from the Nurse Midwifery Program Director, I do encourage that you watch it! She will answer a lot of your questions. Other options to gain knowledge about the program would be to attend one of the admissions information sessions and/or the open house that they hold. Of course those that are admitted will have the opportunity to attend the "Admitted Student Day".

 

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