Vanderbilt Residency interview...help!

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Specializes in SICU, Telemetry.

I have an interview in two weeks for the Vanderbilt Nurse Residency Program. :eek: Does anyone know how their interview process is? They said it will be 2-3 people on a panel, but I would really like to hear from someone who has done this program...any info would be greatly appreciated!

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i can understand how you feel!! I have to schedule an interview with vanderbilt for the nurse residency program; and i am so nervous about it also.....could some please help me out

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Specializes in Clinical Risk Management.

Good luck to you both. Vandy was a wonderful place to begin my nursing career.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm curious - can you tell me a little about the Vanderbilt Residency program? When did you apply - after you graduated and passed the NCLEX or before? Do you have to choose a specialty track before you are admitted or is that something they choose for you? So far I've heard mixed reviews about their program - some have said it's still in the early phases and is improving every year. Others have said it all relies on who you are paired up for as a preceptor. I'd love to hear a little more of first-hand experience so far...thanks in advance. AND most importantly, GOOD LUCK in your interview! Typically be yourself & you'll do fine!

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Specializes in SICU, Telemetry.

I applied for the Winter 2009 program that starts in January. I will graduate in December of this year. They allow you to be hired before you take your boards as long as you have scheduled a test date within 30-60 days of the start date. ( hopefully I will have my boards out of the way before it starts). The application packet allows you to pick a track of your choice, but that is not given that you will get your preference. I just got my interview date scheduled and I am so excited but I'm also starting to get scared because I don't live in TN so will have to travel in the middle of my preceptorship and studying for the exit HESI that is only a few weeks away. Thanks for the positive vibes though! Hopefully I will be a Tennessean soon enough!

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Specializes in SICU, Telemetry.

sorry I guess I didn't really answer the questions about what the program itself is. It's for new grads or for nurses that have less than 6 months experience. It consists of precepting in all the units within your chosen track then they match you to a home unit. During the first year you will go through seminars that the hospital offers to help new grads adjust to being a nurse...hope that helps :D

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is there anyone out there who knows anything about the interview process?

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I am also interviewing for a position in the nurse residency program at Vanderbilt and it's good to hear I am not the only one freaking out. I graduated in June and I passed my boards in August. I am preparing for my interview by finding and thinking of all the questions they could possibly ask. I also have been reading up on current nursing issues as well as making myself more familiar with Vanderbilt. You can go to their website and become more familiar with their philosophy and how they became a Magnet hospital. It looks like a great place to work. There are a lot of benefits to being a part of VMC. I hope to meet you all in January at orientation.:nurse: I am excited Good luck to you all!

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I have an interview in two weeks for the Vanderbilt Nurse Residency Program. :eek: Does anyone know how their interview process is? They said it will be 2-3 people on a panel, but I would really like to hear from someone who has done this program...any info would be greatly appreciated!

I graduate in December and also applied for the Winter 2009 Nurse Residency Program at Vandy. I had my interview at Vandy 2 days ago and it went MUCH better than I thought it would! It is intimidating, because there are 3 people there (panel-interview style) and also because it's 'Vanderbilt,' which means they have high expectations, or at least I think they do! But the interviewers were very kind, knew I was nervous, smiled a lot, were funny themselves, and answered any extra questions I had.

I will warn you - they do *not* ask the "typical" interview questions, i.e., "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" The entire interview is structured from about 10 critical thinking questions, i.e., "Have you ever had X happen to you during a clinical rotation and how did you respond?" That was a little scary because I only prepared for maybe a couple of questions like that, but in the end I pulled from my clinical knowledge and truly was myself, and the interview seemed to go really well.

Good luck! If all goes well, maybe I'll see you in January! ;)

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thanks I had my interview today and I felt like it went great. They were all very kind.

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jessicamcrn what type of questions did they ask

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jessicamcrn what type of questions did they ask

They asked what was unique about myself. What I thought were my strengths and weaknesses. They asked what I thought were my best classes and what I thought was my worst. They asked me to tell them about a difficult situation and what I did about it. They asked how I went about learning what I needed to learn. They asked why I chose the track I chose. There are a few more I can't remember but they want a reason and an example for all the questions they ask. It was intimidating but they were very nice and made me feel comfortable. Just be yourself. :nurse: Good luck!

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