Vanderbilt's Nurse Residency Program

JennRN09 · Nov 11, 2009

am1819- I got into the peds track too!

DRobinson85 · Nov 11, 2009

waitlist such a bummer!

LeahB5622 · Nov 12, 2009

Congratulations to everyone who got an offer letter! I was offered a job in the adult critical care track!!! I have no idea how/why, so I attribute it to God's grace and hard work. I feel so blessed and thankful. Now I have to start thinking about moving to Nashville. Considering I've only been there for maybe 24 hours, I don't really know how to go about looking. Does anyone have any suggestions about good areas to live in? I'm a 22 year old single girl, just excited to start my career. My only requirement is that the apartment me decently priced and safe! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I am unfamiliar with the Nashville area.

Also, does anyone know when this job is officially "official"? I keep waiting for them to retract the offer, like it's too good to be true! I won't feel like it's real until I walk through those doors on January 25! Hopefully we can all keep in touch as this process continues. Thanks again!

charlene212 · Nov 12, 2009

I lived there for 3 years (which is why I was trying to move back)...If you can afford to live in Franklin, Brentwood or Spring Hill those are the best areas but they are more expensive (Williamson County). I lived in Alara Farms apartments when I moved there and they were amazing!!! Also look at Craigslist for a rental house if you prefer that. Spring Hill is more reasonable for houses or townhouses and they have a couple apartment complexes too. Bellvue has some nice areas but just make sure you check it out. I would stay away from north of Nashville or east of Nashville just for the reason of traffic. You will spend so much more time driving into downtown Nashville. West End or Vandy areas are nice but expensive also.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have about the area...I really miss living there.

Good luck...

Charlene

paintingskies · Nov 13, 2009

Isn't it official when you accept the offer? I don't think it can get any more official than when you start your first day... and do the other hiring paperwork, y'know? :) Grats on your letter, btw!

nurse901 · Nov 13, 2009

Hey Everyone,

I received a job offer for the Critical Care track at Vanderbilt on Tuesday:)It was a true blessing to receive this e-mail. I am writing this to the people that were placed on a waiting list to give you all some hope. I understand how discouraging it can be to go through this process but to not be selected. I just received a job offer elsewhere (a few weeks ago) and therefore will not be accepting the position for the job at Vanderbilt. This means that I am giving up my spot so therefore someone on the waiting list will be able to take it. I hope that gives someone a glimmer of hope. I am sorry for all the people that were denied a spot for the residency program or will not be asked to be placed from the wait list into the program. I want to give you all encouragement during this difficult time. I was one of the last people from my graduating class to actually get a job so I understand how depressing and frustrating it can be when it feels like everyone is getting a job but you. Good luck to all of you and remember to keep up the hope.

LeahB5622 · Nov 13, 2009

Charlene212, thank you so much for the input. I have started to do some preliminary searching, but haven't really had the time to do much else. I can't afford anything too expensive (student loan debt, ahem), but like I said, I'd like for it to be safe and in a decent area. I may ask for your opinion again once I really delve into the search. But from everything I've heard, it sounds like a great place to live. Do you think you will still move back? Thanks again!

Paintingskies, congrats on the offer! I received your message, but was unable to reply, I guess because I don't have a premium membership. What is your email address? And maybe we can correspond that way if you want.

Nurse901, congratulations on being offered the position, and for the other job offer you have also received. I think your message to everyone is great. It's nice to be able to give people the hope of being offered positions from the waiting list. Good luck to you and take care. :)

charlene212 · Nov 13, 2009

LeahB5622,

Feel free to ask me anything about that area...What price range are you looking for? I was also concerned about being a single female so I was willing to pay a little more to live in a nicer area.

I do have application in at 4 other hospitals in Nashville so I am still hoping for one of those. I do have a job offer here in Texas but really want to move back to Tennessee (my boyfriend lives there). If I do not get there right away, I will probably move there after completing my commitment at a hospital and then move there as an "experienced nurse".

LeahB5622 · Nov 13, 2009

Charlene212,

Right now I am paying about $800 for a 2br/1.5 ba in North Carolina, which is kind of steep right now for me as a student. I have a feeling that I probably won't be able to find a two bedroom in that price range in Nashville. But I could be wrong. I really don't want to pay over $1000/mo if I can avoid it. I feel like that would really limit me and put me at a disadvantage financially. I could definitely deal with a one bedroom apartment for the first year if it's a reasonable size, until I really get on my feet.

I really hope those other offers work out for you so you can move back to Nashville. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by having multiple options and back-up plans. Are you still in school, or have you been out of nursing school for awhile?

paintingskies · Nov 13, 2009

Leah, I sent you an email! Thanks for the notice. I'm not sure why you couldn't send messages. I definitely don't have premium services and can still send... so odd!

Nurse901, I'm glad you posted that! I had a feeling that there would be people who would be forced, for one reason or another, to turn the positions down or to reconsider them. My husband and I have really had to sit down and make considerations about the offer I received. He's a nurse too and there's no guarantees, y'know? It's a thoughtful process and not for everyone when the opportunity occurs!

charlene212 · Nov 13, 2009

If you are willing to go to Spring Hill or Columbia (south of Nashville - about a 45 min drive to Vandy) then you can find town homes or even a rent house for about $1000...up near Vandy, it is going to be tough unless you get a real small one bedroom. Bellevue would be an option too but it is not as nice (some safe areas though)...

I lived in Franklin near the Cool Springs Mall (nice area that is a little more expensive) and was paying $800 for a large (over 800 sq. ft) one bedroom at Alara Farms.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/hhh/

Thank you...I hope things work out for me out there too even though Vandy didn't. That was my first choice...I am still in school and will graduate this December with an associates degree...I was asking about what degree people had that are getting into the Vandy program because hospitals here are starting to pick those with Bachelors degrees first so my class is having trouble finding jobs. I wonder if a Bachelors degree got you more points with Vandy...I have 2 1/2 yrs of experience in a hospital, worked as a police/fire/EMS dispatcher and have my EMT license so I am a little surprised that I didn't have enough points since I thought the interview went amazing...guess it wasn't meant to be though.

nurse901 · Nov 14, 2009

Hello everyone..thanks for all your comments. This is such a great supportive thread we have going here. I wish you all good luck on your future careers. Please keep us all updated.