Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing offers a range of accredited nursing programs designed to meet the needs of aspiring nurses. With CCNE accreditation, programs are available in on-campus or hybrid learning formats, ensuring flexibility and convenience. The school is known for its strong emphasis on clinical practice and innovative education.

Programs Offered

• Accelerated BSN – On Campus, $55,000 total, 12-month program, 91% graduation rate
• DNP – Online + Campus, $71,000 total, 36-month program, 91% graduation rate
• DNP – Executive Leadership / Healthcare Systems – On Campus, 36-month program
• DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – On Campus, 36-month program
• DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) – On Campus, 36-month program
• MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP) – On Campus, 24-month program
• MSN – Nursing Administration & Leadership – On Campus, 24-month program
• MSN – Nursing Education – On Campus, 24-month program
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – Online + Campus, $54,000 total, 30-month program, 91% graduation rate
• MSN – Nurse-Midwifery – Online + Campus, $63,000 total, 36-month program, 91% graduation rate
• MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP – Online + Campus, $54,000 total, 30-month program, 91% graduation rate
• PhD in Nursing – On Campus, $120,000 total, 60-month program, 91% graduation rate

Key Statistics

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%
• Clinical Access Score: 97/100
• Graduation Rate: 91%

Clinical Training & Hospital Partnerships

• Vanderbilt University School of Nursing coordinates all clinical placements for students.
• Clinical experiences are primarily arranged within the Greater Middle Tennessee Area.
• State-of-the-art Simulation and Skills Lab with advanced technology.
• Designated as a Laerdal Center of Excellence for simulation-based education.
• Named Hospital Partner: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Admissions Requirements

• No overall acceptance rate published for the School of Nursing.
• Graduate-level programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 (average admitted GPA around 3.5).
• DNP program tracks:
  • Advanced Clinical Practice Track: Minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.5 recommended).
  • Advanced Systems Practice Track: Minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.5 recommended); requires completion of a statistics course.
  • BSN to DNP Track: Minimum GPA of 3.0; requires RN license and accredited BSN.
• No TEAS or HESI exam requirements for any programs.
• Nurse-Midwifery Specialty: No interviews conducted; admissions decisions based on application materials.

Schedule & Format Flexibility

• MSN Program: Most specialties offered in an online/hybrid format with brief on-campus sessions. Nursing Informatics is fully online.
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Hybrid format with online coursework and required in-person simulations, skills labs, and immersive sessions.
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP): Modified distance learning model with asynchronous online lectures and on-campus block intensives.
• Women’s Health/Gender-Related NP + Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (dual): Hybrid/online format with several required in-person sessions.
• FNP/Nurse-Midwifery (FNP/NM): Combines online/hybrid FNP coursework and in-person/hybrid NM instruction.
• DNP: Primarily online with required on-campus intensives.
• MSN – Nurse-Midwifery: Hybrid format with online coursework and in-person sessions.
• MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Hybrid format with online coursework and in-person sessions.

Why Choose Vanderbilt University for Nursing?

• Accreditation: Holds CCNE accreditation, ensuring the curriculum meets nationally recognized standards.
• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%, exceeding the national average of 87–89%.
• Clinical Partnerships: Extensive hospital network with strong placement support, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• Career Prospects: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses (May 2024), with 189,100 RN job openings projected annually through 2034.
• Advanced Practice Roles: BSN is the required foundation for roles such as nurse practitioner (median salary $129,210) and nurse anesthetist (median salary $223,210).

What to Consider When Evaluating a Nursing School

• Accreditation: Ensure the program holds CCNE or ACEN accreditation.
• NCLEX Pass Rates: Look for programs with pass rates at or above the national average (87–89%).
• Clinical Partnerships: Strong partnerships ensure diverse, high-quality hands-on experience.
• Student Support Services: Academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and NCLEX preparation resources.
• Career Placement: Some schools have partnerships with healthcare employers to facilitate hiring of new graduates.