Vanderbilt Pre-specialty Fall 2011

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Published

Hi all!

I just wanted to get a thread started for those who plan on applying to Vanderbilt's prespecialty (for non-nurses) MSN program. I only recently discovered this program about 2 months ago and am absolutely enamored with it! I plan to apply to 8 schools for this cycle, but Vanderbilt is at the very top of my list. I am looking into FNP, which has the distance option. I am not sure whether or not I would prefer to stay at Vanderbilt for the whole program, but I do like that there is the option.

Aside from finishing up micro this summer and taking the GRE in a month, I am fully ready to apply. Just need the application for 2011 to open up!:lol2:

Anyone else?

I'm in the same boat. I just heard about this program a few days ago and seriously considering applying. I'm thinking I want to do this instead of getting a master's in social work.

Can someone please tell me how competitive the psych np program is? I'm also a little intimidated by 3 semesters crammed with pre-specialty nursing classes. I have no idea what to expect!:eek:

STA-

I'm not in PMH (acute care myself) but my closest friend in the program is psych. Psych is fairly competitive, but definitely not the most competitive. I know two other people in the program who were social workers before they came into the program, one of them is in psych and works psych triage in an ED. Honestly, having been through the prespecialty year, I can tell you that it is intense, but doable. Specialty year (especially for ACNP and PMHNP) is MUCH more intense. Some of the others have it a bit easier. It's not easy, but if you're interested, I would suggest you apply, or at least come to one of the school's open houses if you can and get some questions answered.

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STA-

I'm not in PMH (acute care myself) but my closest friend in the program is psych. Psych is fairly competitive, but definitely not the most competitive. I know two other people in the program who were social workers before they came into the program, one of them is in psych and works psych triage in an ED. Honestly, having been through the prespecialty year, I can tell you that it is intense, but doable. Specialty year (especially for ACNP and PMHNP) is MUCH more intense. Some of the others have it a bit easier. It's not easy, but if you're interested, I would suggest you apply, or at least come to one of the school's open houses if you can and get some questions answered.

Meredith,

Thanks for the help. I guess I'm worried about failing out of the program. Does that happen often? :uhoh3:

I think I would be okay, but I'm just a bit intimidated. I've always made great grades (dean's list every semester). Do the professors grade hard? I'm wondering if this program is similar to some med school programs that try to "weed out" bad students, or if the professors are friendly, helpful, and supportive. I think I'll try to go to the open house if I can fit it in my schedule.

Edit: is there a list of nursing acronyms anywhere??? haha

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Meredith,

Thanks for the help. I guess I'm worried about failing out of the program. Does that happen often? :uhoh3:

I think I would be okay, but I'm just a bit intimidated. I've always made great grades (dean's list every semester). Do the professors grade hard? I'm wondering if this program is similar to some med school programs that try to "weed out" bad students, or if the professors are friendly, helpful, and supportive. I think I'll try to go to the open house if I can fit it in my schedule.

Edit: is there a list of nursing acronyms anywhere??? haha

VERY FEW actually fail out. And quite frankly those students needed to go--they are the ones who are horribly unsafe in clinicals, are just lacking common sense, or don't give a crap. You clearly don't fall into any of those categories! The fact that you care about not failing out tells me you will make it if you want to. The professors are very helpful and DO care about your success. They will always help you out when you need it...even if you may not realize you need help just yet! Definitely hit up the open house if possible. LMK if you need anything else, k?

M

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meredith,

thanks for the help. i guess i'm worried about failing out of the program. does that happen often? :uhoh3:

i think i would be okay, but i'm just a bit intimidated. i've always made great grades (dean's list every semester). do the professors grade hard? i'm wondering if this program is similar to some med school programs that try to "weed out" bad students, or if the professors are friendly, helpful, and supportive. i think i'll try to go to the open house if i can fit it in my schedule.

edit: is there a list of nursing acronyms anywhere??? haha

vusn does not over admit (as some programs do) and then hope to "weed out" enough students so they can place all the remaining students in clinicals. if you're offered admission to vusn, rest assured you have the ability to succeed in the program. they are experts and know what to look for in students who can succeed. i know of only one student who did not complete the program due to grades and she had some very unusual circumstances, was given several chances, etc.

the prespecialty year is intense, but completely doable. you have to decide that you will have, basically, no life outside of school for the full calendar year. you must get the rest of your life (finances, children, pets, spouse, etc.) in order so you can minimize the other stresses you will face.

specialty year is tough, no matter what specialty you pursue (meredith!) but interesting as well. again it's vital that you stay organized and live with your calendar always in full view so you can keep all the balls in the air.

i love how you ask, "do the professors grade hard?" of course they do...it's vanderbilt and they have high expectations for your professionalism, your scholarly writing, and your dedication. just as they should!

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VERY FEW actually fail out. And quite frankly those students needed to go--they are the ones who are horribly unsafe in clinicals, are just lacking common sense, or don't give a crap. You clearly don't fall into any of those categories! The fact that you care about not failing out tells me you will make it if you want to. The professors are very helpful and DO care about your success. They will always help you out when you need it...even if you may not realize you need help just yet! Definitely hit up the open house if possible. LMK if you need anything else, k?

M

You have no idea how much better you just made me feel. Do you have any idea what the average GRE and GPA scores are for current students?

I was told by another nurse I know that the PMHNP program was lacking in males (I'm a male), and that the field of PMHNP is lacking NPs in rural and under-served areas. Do you know if this is true? You have no idea how much I appreciate your help! Thanks

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vusn does not over admit (as some programs do) and then hope to "weed out" enough students so they can place all the remaining students in clinicals. if you're offered admission to vusn, rest assured you have the ability to succeed in the program. they are experts and know what to look for in students who can succeed. i know of only one student who did not complete the program due to grades and she had some very unusual circumstances, was given several chances, etc.

the prespecialty year is intense, but completely doable. you have to decide that you will have, basically, no life outside of school for the full calendar year. you must get the rest of your life (finances, children, pets, spouse, etc.) in order so you can minimize the other stresses you will face.

specialty year is tough, no matter what specialty you pursue (meredith!) but interesting as well. again it's vital that you stay organized and live with your calendar always in full view so you can keep all the balls in the air.

i love how you ask, "do the professors grade hard?" of course they do...it's vanderbilt and they have high expectations for your professionalism, your scholarly writing, and your dedication. just as they should!

thank you so much. i guess that was a silly question. maybe i should ask if most grade fair instead. i'm trying to decide if it will be best for me to go full or part-time. i spoke with a lady in the nursing department today, and she said that a student can switch from full time to part-time but not vice versa. thank you for your input.

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vusn does not over admit (as some programs do) and then hope to "weed out" enough students so they can place all the remaining students in clinicals. if you're offered admission to vusn, rest assured you have the ability to succeed in the program. they are experts and know what to look for in students who can succeed. i know of only one student who did not complete the program due to grades and she had some very unusual circumstances, was given several chances, etc.

the prespecialty year is intense, but completely doable. you have to decide that you will have, basically, no life outside of school for the full calendar year. you must get the rest of your life (finances, children, pets, spouse, etc.) in order so you can minimize the other stresses you will face.

specialty year is tough, no matter what specialty you pursue (meredith!) but interesting as well. again it's vital that you stay organized and live with your calendar always in full view so you can keep all the balls in the air.

i love how you ask, "do the professors grade hard?" of course they do...it's vanderbilt and they have high expectations for your professionalism, your scholarly writing, and your dedication. just as they should!

holla, c! i say that cuz one of my peeps in the enp who has gone through the fnp portion already said its kindergarten in comparison to acnp :-) i didn't say the others were easy...

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Meredith...okay, I'll put my angry eyes away this time!

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Meredith...okay, I'll put my angry eyes away this time!

hehe, I looove you mamma! :lol2: funny to see you get your panties in a bunch!

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Congratulations on all the accepted students!

Vanderbilt is one of the schools that I've been looking at for PNP. If anyone's comfortable posting here or sending me a PM, what were you stats for your GPA/GRE?

If I attended, I would be moving to Nashville itself, not doing distance, so does Vanderbilt set up clinical sites? I read about a psych NP student who couldn't get any placements...would put me off quite a bit if that happened to me...

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Hey guys, I was just wondering if I could get some advice from any of you that are in the MSN program? I'm currently applying and just need some direction in terms of the goal statement and interview questions. If anyone is willing to help please post back! Thanks!!

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Hey guys, I was just wondering if I could get some advice from any of you that are in the Vandy MSN program? I'm currently applying and just need some direction in terms of the goal statement and interview questions. If anyone is willing to help please post back! Thanks!!

Hi jordans,

My general advice would be for the goal statement briefly explain why you want to be your chosen specialty NP. You could talk about what specific population you want to work with or what part of country/world, and how your chosen specialty is needed in your population/region. It's ok if your main goal right now is just to practice as an NP, but it is also ok to talk about other things that you may want to do with the degree even if you aren't sure yet. We also had a specific question about the role of the advanced practice nurse in your specialty. So if you have a specific question with the goal statement, be sure to answer it.

For the interview questions, I remember last year there being a lot of discussion on this forum about how long the answers should be. I would say to do whatever it takes to answer the question (within reason!). Some of my answers were two sentences, while another was two and a half pages double spaced. Use the interview survey as an opportunity to talk about your unique experiences, but be sure to discuss them under the appropriate question and do not over do it.

I hope this helps! Good luck with your applications!

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