Pre-Nursing at Vandy

<p>So I recently discovered that Vandy has the option for pre-nursing students to complete their undergrad major by the end of their junior year and then go into advanced nursing for their "senior" year. The ideas of saving my parents one year of tuition and of an alternate path to the medical field without the daunting MCAT or gauntlet of extensive schooling make me seriously consider changing my professional plans.</p>

<p>To any current students or anyone familiar with the experience, how beneficial is the 5-year pre-nursing track for those seeking ARNP jobs? Do you think it's beneficial for students to get an MSN quickly, or would the lack of RN experience hurt them in the long run (assuming Vandy students go straight to nursing school)? How much of an advantage do Vandy students get in applying to their nursing program (the advisor said they give "priority review" to Vandy students, but I'm not sure if it translates to, "better chances")? How employable do the students become after obtaining their MSN? Does Vandy give connections to the med center resources for pre-nursing students like pre-med students (the school matches a student with a doctor in the hospital to shadow)? And how's the pre-nursing culture and support at Vandy? Thanks!</p>

<p>I don’t think you’re going to get many responses here-- I can’t imagine that the program is particularly large. Most of these questions can be answered just by doing some research on the MSN.</p>

<p>I was just looking for insiders’ opinions. I guess pre-med’s where it’s at</p>

<p>Juvenis, I am sure you can contact your regional admission officer and ask for a contact within Vanderbilt to discuss this professional path. One advantage to doing nursing is high employability obviously, which can be wonderful for raising a family down the road regarding being able to work long shifts and have more time off. Another advantage re Vanderbilt is the option of having a full on four year education on a traditional campus and enjoying the liberal arts experience while also doing something pre professional. I would suggest you contact the premed advisor with your questions. Regarding salaries, I think you can look at job postings at Vanderbilt hospital for starters or at any fine hospital and get a gander at those. I do believe priority review is valid as long as you have a solid record but by all means talk to a current advisor. A close friend of mine did this 30 years ago at Vanderbilt so I have no current comments. Nursing is really a management of health care profession now and requires strength and stamina and leadership. People who possess these qualities are in high demand and as you know there are levels of Nursing credentials that include higher pay. I have worked in medical settings and can assure you that nursing is hard work but extremely viable and paid well for the strong of heart.</p>