Accelerated BSN question

fins · Aug 25, 2004

I just graduated from TJU's FACT program in May. It was only the second year of the program, so some of the bugs were still being ironed out administratively, but it's a good program. It lasts 12 months. The NCLEX pass rate so far for both years is 100% on the first try. Most of my classmates passed with 75 questions, so obviously they're doing something right to get us ready for the NCLEX.

The other good thing about the program is that it has a 100% graduation rate, with the exception of some people who quit within the first month. Nobody who stayed past a month failed to graduate. Part of that is that (like most of the accelerated programs) they're pretty selective about admissions. You would be hard-pressed to find a denser concentration of type-A's in one place. Also, if you start having trouble, they ride you hard, and basically drag you kicking and screaming back up to competence. They're proud of both their graduation rate and the NCLEX pass rate, and they work their asses off to keep it that way. The professors are remarkably accessible. (Some of them DESPERATELY need to find the spell check button in Power Point, but I guess you can't have everything.)

There is a lot of clinical. You have four 12 week quarters, and you have 24 hours of clinical each week. When I did the math, I realized that I had far more clinical hours than my sister, who went to a two year ADN program, which really kind of undercuts the main criticism I hear about the one year programs from nurses in the hospital. I run them through the math, and they realize that we have in fact had a lot of clinical time. (Although nurses and math seem to go together like Dracula and sunrise, so it doesn't always work.)

You can go for free - zero tuition. If you agree to work for two years at one of the hospitals in the Jefferson system (there are several, both in the city and the 'burbs) they will pick up your entire tuition.

It's not perfect, but it's a very good program. It also is getting pretty popular, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances.

That's about it. I do recommend Jeff. It's a rough year, and I was a vicious, bitter, cynical, sarcastic bastard for most of it. (Of course, I was a vicious, bitter, cynical, sarcastic bastard before I started, so I don't know that I can entirely blame them.) But if you want a good preparation for nursing, an extremely good chance of graduating and passing the NCLEX on the first try, and you want to do it for free, you'd have to look long and hard to find a much better program.

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amatallahk · Aug 27, 2004

I appreciate your honest feedback. Thank you so much for getting back with me. Are you working now? If so where? Did you sign the 2 year contract with Jeff for the tuition? I was talking with a student at Jeff who opted not to sign it because she said they just throw you anywhere on any floor. Is this true...feel free to send me a PM

Thanks again!

I just graduated from TJU's FACT program in May. It was only the second year of the program, so some of the bugs were still being ironed out administratively, but it's a good program. It lasts 12 months. The NCLEX pass rate so far for both years is 100% on the first try. Most of my classmates passed with 75 questions, so obviously they're doing something right to get us ready for the NCLEX.
The other good thing about the program is that it has a 100% graduation rate, with the exception of some people who quit within the first month. Nobody who stayed past a month failed to graduate. Part of that is that (like most of the accelerated programs) they're pretty selective about admissions. You would be hard-pressed to find a denser concentration of type-A's in one place. Also, if you start having trouble, they ride you hard, and basically drag you kicking and screaming back up to competence. They're proud of both their graduation rate and the NCLEX pass rate, and they work their asses off to keep it that way. The professors are remarkably accessible. (Some of them DESPERATELY need to find the spell check button in Power Point, but I guess you can't have everything.)
There is a lot of clinical. You have four 12 week quarters, and you have 24 hours of clinical each week. When I did the math, I realized that I had far more clinical hours than my sister, who went to a two year ADN program, which really kind of undercuts the main criticism I hear about the one year programs from nurses in the hospital. I run them through the math, and they realize that we have in fact had a lot of clinical time. (Although nurses and math seem to go together like Dracula and sunrise, so it doesn't always work.)
You can go for free - zero tuition. If you agree to work for two years at one of the hospitals in the Jefferson system (there are several, both in the city and the 'burbs) they will pick up your entire tuition.
It's not perfect, but it's a very good program. It also is getting pretty popular, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances.
That's about it. I do recommend Jeff. It's a rough year, and I was a vicious, bitter, cynical, sarcastic bastard for most of it. (Of course, I was a vicious, bitter, cynical, sarcastic bastard before I started, so I don't know that I can entirely blame them.) But if you want a good preparation for nursing, an extremely good chance of graduating and passing the NCLEX on the first try, and you want to do it for free, you'd have to look long and hard to find a much better program.
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fins · Sep 6, 2004

I'm working at Jefferson. I took the scholarship. They don't just throw you anywhere on the floor. You have to apply, like any other graduate nurse trying to get a job. Most people got their first or second choice. If you're really sure that you want to work someplace specific, like L&D for example, then maybe you wouldn't want to take the scholarship, because you have to take a job somewhere in the hospital. But if you don't really know where you might want to work, what the hell - you gotta work somewhere, and getting $24,000 worth of tuition paid for beats a sharp stick in the eye any day.

amatallahk · Sep 8, 2004

Hey Fins

How are you? The feedback I've been receiving about Jeff is amazing. I actually spoke with a young lady that was in your graduating class ...(Brenda) and another young lady that is in the 2 year program (Caroline)...

So, I applied to Jeff on 9/3/04 on the net. They should have all of my transcripts and recommendation letters by atleast Monday. I was told that a decision will not be made until around mid January. I am pretty anxious about that but of course I have to play the waiting game. I spoke with one of the counselors for the program and she said that the competition is pretty fierce to get in. Many individuals have all A's in their pre-requisites. So we will see what they think of me soon...So far my grades have been great but I am not finished with A&P 1&2 and Chemistry 2.

I am thrilled to hear that you dont get thrown anywhere if you take the scholarship. That's a plus especially with the tuition increase this year. Just imagine what tuition will be like for 2005 - 2006. I really hope that the scholarship will still be available. Jeff really is my first choice but I will be applying to Drexel's ACE program and Univ of Delaware as a back up. But Jeff is really really my 1st choice!:)

What department do you work in? Which Jeff facility?

rn2be2006 · Sep 9, 2004

Hey amatallahk,

I am also interested in Jefferson's nursing program. I am applying for admission next fall to their ASN program. Do you know if that Mid January decision date is for the accelerated BSN program only or for all the nursing programs next fall?

I was down there yesterday and was so excited from just walking around Jefferson's campus!!! I love that school and hospital!

Thanks for any info you can give me!

S

amatallahk · Sep 9, 2004

Hey RN2be2006,

I'm not sure about mid January for the ASN program. You should call one of the counselors for that program. They are very helpful! Sorry :-(