Vanderbilt vs Georgetown Acute Care NP--How are things now?

[Katyvent7]

Hello all.

I am hoping to get some insight from some current students or recent graduates from the MSN programs at Vanderbilt and Georgetown.

I am looking at Vanderbilt's ENP (dual ACNP/FNP) program. I was told by admissions that as of mid June there were still slots left in the August cohort for this program. I was a late applicant and do not have an answer yet. I don't see much recent activity on the boards for their school. Why are there still slots this late? Is it a good program? Maybe not in high demand?

I am also looking at Georgetown's ACNP program. I received an acceptance letter on Saturday! :) There is not much recent activity on these boards for Georgetown, but a lot of older negative discussion on the school and program and some threads about the FNP program. If there is anyone currently enrolled or recent grad who could provide some insight, I would appreciate it. I know that for every one person complaining there are probably many who had a fine experience.

Vanderbilt is my first choice due to the somewhat lower price and dual board option, even though it is eight hours away instead of four. I have been in the ER for three years, also floating to ICU; I have CEN and CCRN certs. I also have ten years of experience as a paramedic.

Do you feel that you made the right choice with the school? Would you make the same decision again? How was/is the precepting experience? What problems have you had?

[Julius Seizure]

I went to Vanderbilt. It is a good school, although I can't speak to the ENP specialty specifically. It was 10 hours away for me, which was a killer after a while, but I liked the accelerated high-intensity format and its nice to just power through instead of taking years and years of doing school part time. As far as why there are still slots, again, I don't know about that specialty and how many slots they normally have. For my specialty, one girl was wait-listed and got in a week before classes started, because somebody had to withdraw at the last minute. So many its been things like that - people took spots but now have backed out.

Like I said, overall I think its a good program - I've enjoyed the classes that are across all specialties best - research, pathophysiology, etc. I probably wouldn't recommend it for my specialty but I am under the impression that some of the other specialties are more organized, probably because the programs have been running longer.