Vanderbilt Program

I live about 45 min from Vandy and there are many Drs around here that will not hire anyone who graduates from that program. What kinds of experiences do they have to pull from?? I'm really surprised at Vanderbilt for even starting a program like that!

Most likely if you have a Bachelors degree in another area you will be chosen over someone who only has met the credit requirements (much like it is in most dental and pharmD programs). When I applied to direct entry MSN programs I was under the impression that when the masters portion is being completed you are highly encouraged to work as a RN. That way by the end of the masters degree you will have had at least 2 years experience as an RN. I do know people who have graduated from direct entry MSN programs who have gotten jobs as advanced practice nurses but they have as a RN during the masters portion of the program. But I have not heard of a program that has the direct entry option for those who do not even have another degree, also these direct entry programs tend to be very expensive.

Thank you for your responses! I was quite surprised that I found such a program with a Masters' entry without a previous bachelors degree. I'm still considering it, but the fact of little experience as a nurse makes me a little nervous. But, I think i'll think about it some more and see what happens. I'm still completing pre-reqs so advice from both of you was super-helpful!

Thank you so much again,

Michelle :)

Michelle,

Also with the Vandy program (as I recall from when I worked there & encountered students)...After the 1st year of courses the non-licensed students have the ability to take the NCLEX & begin working, if they choose (or have the time).

Good luck to you on the path you choose!

Eltrip

Hi Michelle,

I'm also considering Vandy's direct-entry MSN program. I have a bachelor's (and will complete my Master's this semester....long, boring story) in another area, but have considered nursing. Please, let me know what you find out or decide about this program.

Also, I'm completely green, so please excuse my ignorance, but if anyone can respond to the following, it's appreciated:

I read a newspaper article about an NP who "opened a clinic" around Chattanooga. The article made it sound like she practiced independently (no other health care professionals at her office). I know NP's are extremely well qualified and can write prescriptions, etc., but I wasn't sure if TN state law allowed them to practice completely alone. If so, I think that's awesome, and I wondered if anyone had any input on this type practice. Again, I'm just feeling the waters, so I appreciate input from anyone with knowledge! Thanks, Mary

To all Tennessee nurses:

Has anyone heard about Vanderbilt's MSN/NP programs? I'm currently a student taking pre-reqs for getting my RN, but they also have a masters entry program for students who have 78 or more units of college credit, and allow you to obtain your RN in the first year (without a BSN or ADN) and then get your MSN/NP in your field of choice the second year. Do you think this is problematic...getting your RN without a BSN or ADN and then getting your MSN/NP a year later? Do you think employers would hire a NP with little experience as a nurse? Please let me know since I have no idea!!

Thanks so much,

Michelle in CA :)

. I read a newspaper article about an NP who "opened a clinic" around Chattanooga. The article made it sound like she practiced independently (no other health care professionals at her office). I know NP's are extremely well qualified and can write prescriptions, etc., but I wasn't sure if TN state law allowed them to practice completely alone. If so, I think that's awesome, and I wondered if anyone had any input on this type practice. Again, I'm just feeling the waters, so I appreciate input from anyone with knowledge! Thanks, Mary

Hey Mary,

Where "around Chattanooga" was the NP "opening a clinic?" I'm most curious!

Thanks,

eltrip

Hi,

Sorry, I don't remember. I wonder if I misread it though. Since I first posted, I read something on the TN State's website that led me to believe that you have to have an MD "supervise" your prescriptive practice. Thanks, Mary

Mary,

really, I was just curious. I live in Chattanooga & I'm always curious to hear about new practices opening. Especially if it'll help me to point folks in the direction of finding a primary care provider. It's part of my job as a telephone/internet advice/triage nurse.

I'm not sure about whether Tennessee's nurse practice act requires physician supervision. Nearly all of the advance practice nurses, though, do seem to have some sort of "supervising" physician, from what I've gathered from the licensure verification website.

Thanks for trying to remember,

eltrip

Hi! Just wondering if you or someone you know did the BSN + PhD program at Vanderbilt. I saw an article about their combined degree with a BSN and PhD in biomedical engineering and I'm really curious about it.

ASYL

I just started working at vandy a few months ago and have run into a lot of nurses and NPs that went through the master's entry program and at first it did seem super wierd. But, if you think about it....MD's don't have previous experience or an idea of what they want to go into either....and residents don't know much when they come out either. Vandy will not let any of these graduates work straight as a NP...they have to complete at least 1 yr of staff nursing before they can practice with them. Most of these girls have said that it seems to be the same around nashville.....and i do have to say that they have an incredible amount of knowledge, but no practical experience as a nurse so they're kinda like a new grad in that respect, but vandy has an excellent orientation program.

Thank you for your responses! I was quite surprised that I found such a program with a Masters' entry without a previous bachelors degree. I'm still considering it, but the fact of little experience as a nurse makes me a little nervous. But, I think i'll think about it some more and see what happens. I'm still completing pre-reqs so advice from both of you was super-helpful!

Thank you so much again,

Michelle :)

To: Michelle in CA,

I just sent in my application to the direct-entry MSN program at Vanderbilt two days ago and just this afternoon posted a question on another thread about what others know about the program, and nursing in Tennessee, then ran into your post and responses to it later on today. I'm also in California and had all the same questions, as well as some others, about the culture of the school and Nashville and the quality of the program.

I'd love to know what you eventually decided to do and anything else you might have learned since your last post about the program.

Catherine in CA (and in a similar boat to you with a BA and MA, an doctorate in other field and finishing prereqs for nursing)