Drexel University ACE Spring 2010

Nursing Students School Programs

Published

Hello all,

I just received a letter from saying that my application for the ACE program is now complete and I'm waiting for a response. I was wondering if anyone else here is applying for the same program and received an acceptance letter already?:uhoh3: I'm trying to be patient but I wish I knew how long it will take...

I am trying to decide whether or not I should plan on taking the train to school or driving. Does anyone have experience with either? First quarter is the only quarter I am considering taking the train - I have heard that it is best to have a car at school the other quarters due to the need to drive to clinicals. Would it cause an inconvenience during the first quarter if I take the train and don't have my car in the city? If feedback shows that driving would be best, are there parking lots/garages that you would recommend? As the first day of classes approaches I am trying to plan all the last minute logistics. Thanks!!

Parking is expensive in Center City, so train is definitely best first quarter. Plus you can study on the train. Second and third quarter, you'll be on campus 2 days a week from 8-4:30 or 8-5:30, so if you're living somewhere you can leave your car home 2 days a week I recommend that too. Then you can use the car for the 3 days a week you have clinicals.

If you're planning to live in Center City near campus, I would recommend leaving it home during the first quarter. I have *KNOCK ON WOOD* been able to work out carpooling to my clinicals so far or be able to get there via public transportation so far.

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Hi,

I just wanted to respond to the article that was posted about the high percentage of Nursing Students who pass the NCLEX. While this is all well and good, what they don't tell you is how many people pass the final HESI in order to graduate to get the opportunity to take the NCLEX. I myself recently graduated in 2009 from the ACE program. I'm sure you know that in order to graduate you must get a certain percentage on the final HESI. I began the program in March of 2008 and unfortunately failed a course during second quarter. I had to wait three months to rejoin the next cohort and repeat the course and then was able to continue the program. When the final HESI came around I did not pass the first two attempts and was required to sign up for (and pay another 2600 dollars) for a 3 credit course and had two more attempts. Luckily on the fourth attempt, I attained above the required score. If you don't already know what happens if you don't get the required score after the fourth attempt, I'll tell you. You are required to retake the senior seminar class where you will spend 11 weeks testing out on your skills (injections, catheters, assessment, etc) and have two more HESI attempts. If you don't pass those attempts, I'm still not clear to this day what happens. I want to make you guys aware of this because you won't hear it from school, more likely you will hear about it during second quarter through your fellow student grapevine. I consider myself an intelligent person and excelled in my previous degree, but I have to say, the ACE program was by no means easy. Throughout my time involved with this program, I hated life, and so did most of the people who were there with me. A good amount of people can get through this program in one year and pass the final HESI the first or second time, but many don't. For many, a one year program turns into an 18 or 24 month program, or longer I don't want to scare you, that is not my intention. I just want to share my experience and observations as a graduate. So here comes the advice. First quarter is a breeze compared to the rest. Don't let it fool you. Also, take HESI SERIOUSLY!!! You cannot expect to get good grades and pass based on memorization alone. You have to learn how to prioritize and understand. I strongly recommend purchasing the book, NCLEX-RN Reviews and Rationales by Mary Ann Hogan. It's a big white and red book. I used that book to study for the final HESI before my last attempt and it is what helped me pass, and it is such a great resource it will only help you reinforce what you learn throughout the program. I found that the HESI study guide wasn't very comprehensive but the CD that comes with the HESI book is excellent as it provides you with hundreds of practice questions, and I recommend buying it for that. The last thing I recommend is supporting each other as much as you can. The old adage that "nurses eat their young" still exists and you will encounter it at some point as you go through the program. Don't let this discourage you. You'll meet more wonderful nurses than not. Do your best, you can do it!! I wish you all the best and good luck!!!!

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Opheliak, congratulations on completing the program and thanks for all the advice. I do hear a lot that the 2nd quarter is so much harder than the first one. Is it the clinicals or the classroom courses that is difficult? Also, how soon do we start taking the Hesi exams? Finally, do we get practice exams?

Thanks again for the words of wisdom. Hopefully, we can take in what you've said and be better prepared. So, we hope.

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I want to make you guys aware of this because you won't hear it from school, more likely you will hear about it during second quarter through your fellow student grapevine.

Before our cohort started, we were sent a letter we had to sign and return detailing how many attempts we have for the HESI and what happens if we do not pass. I don't recall exactly what it said but it did talk about the review course and then retaking the senior and that if you fail after all attempts you get a degree in Health Studies (or something like that). I'm wondering if we were the first class that had to sign that document.

We took our first HESI in the first quarter with Principles and it was 5% of our grade with no minimum. We're taking one each with our clinical classes this quarter, I think they're all 15% of our grades with no minimum passing rate on the HESI. There are review sessions held at various times in the CLRC, but sometimes it's hard to get there schedule-wise. I do like the HESI book, haven't looked at the questions, but use the book for review in my regular tests. I have the Saunders and the Comprehensive R&R, but those are large books and I like that the HESI boils things down in to a shorter format of the absolute essentials. I have classmates who really like the Comprehensive R&R though.

I definitely agree about 1st quarter being easy and to not get complacent- there were moments when it did feel like a tough quarter, but compared to q2, it was a breeze! Really use that time to solidify your study skills, get used to the NCLEX format of questions, and organize yourself.

I'm finishing q2 now and don't want to jinx it, but as long as nothing horrible happens with my finals I will be moving on to q3. I know some students who have decelerated, some who have decided to leave, some who have failed out or who will likely be this quarter. It's definitely not an easy program or a program for everyone, but I have been enjoying it overall. I was pretty wiped out during midterms and anticipate hating my life during finals week, heh, but I'm meeting great people, learning a lot, and dealing with stress and the things that are frustrating well.

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What hiddencat described regarding the way hesi is given is what you'll expect. I'm not sure if you are the first class to receive this letter telling you what happens for not passing the final hesi but this letter is a very recent thing because my cohorts did not receive a letter like that. I'm glad they send out this document now because my class and previous ones were basically left in the dark about it. We had already invested so much time in the program when we found out, and leaving or going to some other school would have been a waste. It's also good to hear how they are offering more review session, definitely take advantage of that if you can.

Joujoubee I think difficulty of class or clinical is a based on the individual and what you're required to do and your interest in the area of nursing. I wouldn't say any clinical was really difficult, but that there is a lot of work involved with most. Some classes are harder than others too, obviously, but the material itself isn't impossible to learn. The fast pace of the program has a huge impact because it is a lot to learn in such a short time, but it is doable. You will have to sacrifice some of your social life and may not be able to have a part time job but it's only temporary. I hope that helps!

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Thanks Hiddencat and Opheliak. They are probably now sending those letters because of complaints from your cohort and those before you. Hopefully, our class will be better prepared having received that letter and getting heads up from you guys and others on this site.

I actually bought the Reviews and Rationale book but I only opened it the first day I got it. It's a little overwhelming right now.

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Thanks Hiddencat and Opheliak. They are probably now sending those letters because of complaints from your cohort and those before you. Hopefully, our class will be better prepared having received that letter and getting heads up from you guys and others on this site.

I actually bought the Reviews and Rationale book but I only opened it the first day I got it. It's a little overwhelming right now.

Yeah, I think they must have started that in response to complaints. They should have done that from the beginning, imo, but it does seem like they respond to comments like that- I went to a meeting with the Dean and was told that they are in the process of reorganizing the ethics curriculum based on feedback from students (it's spread through 3 quarters now and they are moving it all to quarter, not for you folks in the spring, but I think the next fall cohort) and I think they're also adjusting the informatics curriculum to be more nursing focused than it was for us. I've found the support services to be very helpful (when schedule permits) and just mentioned to someone at the CLRC that the reason I hadn't gone to many review sessions this quarter was b/c I have evening clinicals and the study sessions have all been in the evening, and he asked me why I hadn't mentioned something earlier in the quarter b/c he would have scheduled additional sessions. I've heard previous graduates say there wasn't a ton of support, so maybe this is also new.

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Hiddencat thanks for your feedback regarding my train vs driving inquiry. Also, this may be a silly question, but do students wear business casual every day to class? The letter I received regrading orientation states that the dresscode for orientation day is business casual ... now I am curious if this is required in the Center City campus at all times? Thanks!

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Hiddencat thanks for your feedback regarding my train vs driving inquiry. Also, this may be a silly question, but do students wear business casual every day to class? The letter I received regrading orientation states that the dresscode for orientation day is business casual ... now I am curious if this is required in the Center City campus at all times? Thanks!

People wear what makes them feel comfortable. Some of my classmates dress up and some of us wear jeans. Don't worry too much about the orientation dress code- about a third of the class didn't notice the request for business casual and came in comfortable clothes. I'm honestly not really sure why they want business casual- everyone's in the large assembly hall and it's basically just a lot of speakers on various things you need to know.

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Yeah, I think they must have started that in response to complaints. They should have done that from the beginning, imo, but it does seem like they respond to comments like that- I went to a meeting with the Dean and was told that they are in the process of reorganizing the ethics curriculum based on feedback from students (it's spread through 3 quarters now and they are moving it all to quarter, not for you folks in the spring, but I think the next fall cohort) and I think they're also adjusting the informatics curriculum to be more nursing focused than it was for us. I've found the support services to be very helpful (when schedule permits) and just mentioned to someone at the CLRC that the reason I hadn't gone to many review sessions this quarter was b/c I have evening clinicals and the study sessions have all been in the evening, and he asked me why I hadn't mentioned something earlier in the quarter b/c he would have scheduled additional sessions. I've heard previous graduates say there wasn't a ton of support, so maybe this is also new.

Could any ACErs maybe take a second to explain why Q2 is so rough? Is it the classes and if so, which ones are the worst? Or is it the balancing act of classroom workload with 3 days of clinical. Also, are we tested on the three clinicals separately, together or is one of the classes (300, 301, 303, 308) just about the clinicals, or does each class have its own clinical (except Pharm) because I see they're 6 credits. Sorry I realize that was a lot of questions, but just trying to figure out why Q2 is so rough and how I can try to set myself up for success in preparation (mentally and educationally) for this term.

Sidenote: goodbye Summer

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Sorry hidden, didn't mean to quote that reply of yours. I was just referring to yours and others messages earlier about Q2's difficulty rate. Thanks!

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Could any ACErs maybe take a second to explain why Q2 is so rough? Is it the classes and if so, which ones are the worst? Or is it the balancing act of classroom workload with 3 days of clinical. Also, are we tested on the three clinicals separately, together or is one of the classes (300, 301, 303, 308) just about the clinicals, or does each class have its own clinical (except Pharm) because I see they're 6 credits. Sorry I realize that was a lot of questions, but just trying to figure out why Q2 is so rough and how I can try to set myself up for success in preparation (mentally and educationally) for this term.

Sidenote: goodbye Summer

Everyone's perspective will be a little different on which quarter is most difficult, depending on their interest in the subjects, what's going on in their personal lives, and probably which professor they had. Second quarter is more intense than first quarter, and there was a lot to learn in a short period of time, but for me, it wasn't terrible. I actually found fourth quarter more difficult, because I was starting to run out of steam by then.

I know it's tempting to try to figure out how you're going to manage for the entire program, but my suggestion would be to take things one step at a time. Part of being successful in second quarter is determining what works for you during first quarter, then kicking that into high gear and prioritizing your routine.

Each of the 6 credit courses has a lecture and clinical component, so it can be a challenge to manage your time, but it's only 12 weeks. You can do anything for 12 weeks, so if it's rough, at least it will be over quickly. Just stay on top of your work, try not to put things off, and ask for help early if you notice that you're struggling.

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