Vanderbilt's Nurse Residency Program

BSN-Grad-2010 · Oct 21, 2010

I'm hoping it is all just rumors; I would love the opportunity to work at Vanderbilt! "RUMOR" has it.....there have been cutbacks in the CRNA dept; didn't accept as many CRNAs this year as in years past. I would like to think that with the pending changes of Health Care Reform....greater access to healthcare would increase the need for more nurses. Thanks for the info BlakelyRN...makes me hopeful! FINGERS CROSSED till November! :)

CainRN · Oct 22, 2010

I'm not too familiar with the CRNA hiring right now, but I do know that MTSA is where most of the Vandy people go for CRNA. The problem with that is MTSA runs an average class of 70, so this area tends to be a bit flooded with CRNA's at times. Granted, this is all just second hand info. Either way, I'm very happy with my experience here thus far. It' very evident that Vandy pours a lot of money and resources into it's residents.

BSN-Grad-2010 · Oct 22, 2010

Wow! That is a lot of CRNAs!....glad I am choosing to not go with that career path! haha. I originally come from a career that had major cutbacks within its workforce so any time I hear that word my pulse seems to double in speed! From just my little experience with the application and interview process I can certainly agree that Vandy puts a lot of effort and money into the Residency program....I have found NOTHING like it! It is just amazing! I'm so glad to hear that you have had a great experience; I wouldn't expect anything else from that hospital. Thank you again for this great information! :heartbeat

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Oct 25, 2010

I thought I would just chime in here, I interview for the Critical Care Track on Nov. 1st for the Winter 2011 cohort. I'm from Utah, so it's kind of a trek for me, not to mention a pricey plane ticket and hotel. But I'm hoping for the best, working at Vandy would be amazing.

For those interviewed, what were the questions like? Were they very clinical, or more "what are your career goals" oriented? I am doing my final semester preceptorship/capstone in the Thoracic ICU at IHC Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center in Salt Lake City. I'm hoping this, plus a few days of reviewing pressures, vent settings, vasoactive meds and such, will give me a good shot.

Does anyone know how many that are interviewed actually don't get in? I'm hoping it's very few. If there is a waitlist, I'm assuming my odds are good given that I got an interview. I'm primed and ready to move out there as soon as they say the word. The only thing that would possibly be working against me is that I've only worked in home health and hospice, but I've worked hard, gotten A's in all my nursing classes, and am doing an ICU preceptorship. Anyway, I'm rattling on here.

At any rate, good luck to all of you!

BSN-Grad-2010 · Oct 27, 2010

I interviewed in Adult Medical and yes it is a clinical focused interview; for the most part. Very nice people! Great Experience! I'm sure you will do just fine considering the clinical/work history you posted on here. As far as number of Residents, there is not a set number according to the director of the program. The number they can accept is based on unit needs. Best of luck. Safe Travels!

BSN-Grad-2010 · Nov 4, 2010

Is anyone else starting to get anxious considering today was the last day for Interviews!?

newnurse3 · Nov 9, 2010

The wait is tough! If it is anything like last year, we may know something this week. I guess last year they found out around the 10th!

Good luck to everyone! :)

BSN-Grad-2010 · Nov 13, 2010

I got accepted into Adult Medical!!!! Can't wait to start and meet everyone! This is a GIANT step in my life and i'm so anxious about everything!!!!!! Congratulations to everyone, accepted or not. This was a TOUGH process and just submitting an application should make you proud enough!

newnurse3 · Nov 13, 2010

Congrats BSN Grad!! This is a very exciting new step for us all! Can't wait to meet everyone!

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Nov 14, 2010

Congrats BSN grad. I was accepted for the Adult Critical Care track. I'm not sure if all the different tracks meet each other, but if so, I look forward to meeting you all. Not that I will know which ones you are, haha.

2011BSN · Dec 10, 2010

Do you have to apply for the residency program while you're still in nursing school?

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Dec 10, 2010

When you apply depends mainly on two things: when you finish your program and when you want to start working. The Winter 2011 Cohort applied in July-August, and interviewed in late October / early November. We start on January 31st.

Check out Nurse Residency Program (New Grads) - Apply for more information. Their website is pretty thorough, and explains all about taking the NCLEX, what the requirements are.

Expect to send transcripts (min 3.0 GPA), two letters of recommendation, and save money to fly out for the interview as you'll have to cover all the costs yourself. Also, you apply for a specific track, either critical care, adult medical, adult surgical, pediatrics, etc. They're all listed on the website.

For the record, I didn't think the application or interview process was bad at all. They're very thorough and friendly. The interview was great! The staff was very friendly, supportive, and wanted to help you be comfortable and not nervous. The only thing that was difficult was the waiting period (a week and a half) after the interview waiting to see if I got in, but that is just the nature of the best with an interview. Vanderbilt does all they can to make the process comfortable for you.