Drexel ACE STUDENTS or GRADUATES

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This post is intended for Drexel ACE students or graduates. I've been searching the ACE threads for several hours now and I noticed the accepted students tend to take over the threads therefore questions from prospective students go unanswered. My question is for people who are in the ACE program or have graduated.

What I would like to know is, do you have to be good in Science to be in this program? I graduated 5 years ago and my last science class was like 7 years ago. And from what I remember Biology was not my best subject. But that was YEARS ago so that may be different now. Would you recommend this program for someone who was a "C" student in science? Also, I noticed people talking about the drop-outs, would you mind sharing why those students dropped out.

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Specializes in Neuroscience ICU, Orthopedics.

I just graduated yesterday, 04/06/07, as I had to repeat the final comprehensive HESI in which a score of >= 85% (raw score >= 950) is needed to graduate. So, just to let you know, if you don't pass the HESI the first time, the second HESI test is much harder (at least that was the concensus of the 27 of us who had to retake it).

As for the sciences slant, I don't think it is too important whether or not you are weak, or strong, in the sciences. Don't get me wrong. If you are strong in the sciences, it could help you to better synthesize some information. But in honesty, I just don't think being weak on the subject would be a hinderance.

As for people drop outs, it occurs for a number of reasons, but realize it has nothing to do with academic prowess, or intelligence. I know bio-chemists who have struggled in this program whereas educators have thrived. For some, it has been a lack of commitment. For others, it may have been do to personal conflicts. It may be the realization that this is simply the wrong type of program due to its pace, because regardless of what anyone says, you won't know until you are in it.

As for those of us who have gone through the program and not relayed any info on the program, it may be due to a sense of just wanting to forget - moving on with our lives. And, I don't think in general it is viewed as a positive experience. Also, as a student, you come to the realzation that one cannot fully appreciate the ACE program until it has been experienced.

Good luck to you and all others.

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Thank you for your response. The fact that bio-chemists struggled is rather scarey, lol. Wow I noticed that everyone that goes through the program treat it as if it's boot camp.

I just graduated yesterday, 04/06/07, as I had to repeat the final comprehensive HESI in which a score of >= 85% (raw score >= 950) is needed to graduate. So, just to let you know, if you don't pass the HESI the first time, the second HESI test is much harder (at least that was the concensus of the 27 of us who had to retake it).

As for the sciences slant, I don't think it is too important whether or not you are weak, or strong, in the sciences. Don't get me wrong. If you are strong in the sciences, it could help you to better synthesize some information. But in honesty, I just don't think being weak on the subject would be a hinderance.

As for people drop outs, it occurs for a number of reasons, but realize it has nothing to do with academic prowess, or intelligence. I know bio-chemists who have struggled in this program whereas educators have thrived. For some, it has been a lack of commitment. For others, it may have been do to personal conflicts. It may be the realization that this is simply the wrong type of program due to its pace, because regardless of what anyone says, you won't know until you are in it.

As for those of us who have gone through the program and not relayed any info on the program, it may be due to a sense of just wanting to forget - moving on with our lives. And, I don't think in general it is viewed as a positive experience. Also, as a student, you come to the realzation that one cannot fully appreciate the ACE program until it has been experienced.

Good luck to you and all others.

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I'm ACE grad from 2005. I wouldn't worry too much about being a "C" biology student. Any college Biology class is probably way more complicated than the kind of science we had to grasp for our nursing classes. Besides that, I knew quite a few people who said that they weren't stellar students in their initial undergrad degree but once they were focused on what they really wanted to do (nursing), they were kicking butt academically. As far as reasons why some people dropped out...I think for some it had to do with the pace, but they wanted to go into nursing anyways. So a few people actually "decelerated" and technically dropped out of the program but did co-op stuff. Some people decided that they didn't really want to be a nurse all that much, and I guess those were the people who dropped out fast. Other people had family commitments that prevented them from being able to devote all of their time to school. I do know a few people who were truly dedicated to becoming a nurse and they struggled academically but they persevered and made it. I guess what I'm saying is, if you really want it and work for it, you'll get that BSN. It was a good program, and in my opinion, not nearly as unpleasant as some people make it out to be. I actually *gasp* enjoyed it sometimes and had a little fun here and there. I'm happy I did it, and I like what I'm doing as a nurse now.

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Thank you for your response. You really put my mind at ease. People really act like you have to be super smart to be in there and willing to die for it. lol

I'm ACE grad from 2005. I wouldn't worry too much about being a "C" biology student. Any college Biology class is probably way more complicated than the kind of science we had to grasp for our nursing classes. Besides that, I knew quite a few people who said that they weren't stellar students in their initial undergrad degree but once they were focused on what they really wanted to do (nursing), they were kicking butt academically. As far as reasons why some people dropped out...I think for some it had to do with the pace, but they wanted to go into nursing anyways. So a few people actually "decelerated" and technically dropped out of the program but did co-op stuff. Some people decided that they didn't really want to be a nurse all that much, and I guess those were the people who dropped out fast. Other people had family commitments that prevented them from being able to devote all of their time to school. I do know a few people who were truly dedicated to becoming a nurse and they struggled academically but they persevered and made it. I guess what I'm saying is, if you really want it and work for it, you'll get that BSN. It was a good program, and in my opinion, not nearly as unpleasant as some people make it out to be. I actually *gasp* enjoyed it sometimes and had a little fun here and there. I'm happy I did it, and I like what I'm doing as a nurse now.
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Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care, Orthopedics.

^Bump^

I'm really interested in hearing more replies from current students and graduates of the program. Just want to prepare myself as well as possible...what am I getting myself into???

~Cathy

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Hi. Just graduated this March also. I agree with what everyone has said. The only thing that concerns me a bit is that you mentioned your last science class was 7 yrs ago. (Not that that is a big deal to doing well in this program) I think that pre-reqs, especially the sciences had to be within 5 years of applications. Check up on that. I am open to any other questions to the other person that asked...:monkeydance:

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Hi! Thanks for coming back after you graduated to help up us prospectives out! I will be taking my science prereqs for the next two years. That science class I mentioned from seven years ago wouldn't count as a prereq. I'm just a little concern because some people make the program seem unachievable. I wanted to know if I have to be an A or even B student to excel in this program. Do I have to remember what I've learned in my prereq classes in order to get far in this program? Why are people dropping out like flies? This isn't an easy program to get into so I just don't understand why people would drop out like it's nothing. I'm currently taking a Developmental Psych class that is kind of stressful so sometimes I wonder if I can handle the ACE program.

Hi. Just graduated this March also. I agree with what everyone has said. The only thing that concerns me a bit is that you mentioned your last science class was 7 yrs ago. (Not that that is a big deal to doing well in this program) I think that pre-reqs, especially the sciences had to be within 5 years of applications. Check up on that. I am open to any other questions to the other person that asked...:monkeydance:
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Ok Ok, i'll put my two cents in. I'm in the 3rd quarters in the program. From I've seen so far, people that who dropped out tend to be the ones who have a family (husband and kids), but there are also students w/ kids have no problem. It really comes down to time managment, once it starts, you don't have time for breaks. You need to get on top of everything, don't ever slack because you just can't afford to. I wouldn't too concern about your science but just the basic anatomy and phsy. because most of the material or should I say exam questions, are not too much emphaized on the science portion, but more like what would a nurse do in such situation; but have a good understand of the science backgroun would help of course. Other people dropped up find out that nursing aren't really for them, some just couldn't take the fast pace. Let's face it, you're cramping 86 credits in 4 quarters, not even semester.... so just image you're going through 4 or 6 different type of subjects in just 10 weeks, on top of that, they count HESI as part of your grade, meaning 10 to 20% of the grade in some of the classes count toward your overall grade for the course. That also mean that on the day of the final, you'll have to take the final exam for the course as well as HESI in different location. Try to be prepare on the 1st quarter, work as hard as you can so you'll get used to the rest of the quarters, get used to the pace, get used to the time managment, because once second quarter start, that's when the walls start popping out no where. You'll have 2 days lectures from 8 to 5, then 3 days clinical, sometime on saturday starting 2nd quarter. Everyone can make it, but you really have to be on top of things, be organize and manage your time well. Don't be afraid or think about it now, when the time comes, just tackle it day by day... 11 months will go by fast when you're in the program...

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JLS put it perfectly. Your science courses will not be emphasized. This is nursing school! The focus is on nursing. However, if I had to recommend anything ...it would be making sure you establish a firm knowledge base in A&P. You are able to get a handle on the disease process more easily. The program is very manageable (and even enjoyable) if you make small goals.

Helpful tips:

1. NEVER put off the small assignments. When you get home from a clinical and need to submit a journal entry next week. Write it as soon as you get home. Believe me, you do not want to stay up late writing an assignment, when you have to be up and out by 530 AM the next morning for another clinical for the third day in a row. **Keep this in mind, especially second and fourth quarters.***

2. First quarter, you will have the most free time. Make sure you use it to create a solid start of nursing skills that you will use for the entire program. Develop strong assessment skills!! Make sure you have anatomical landmarks, why you do everything and what a normal/abnormal assessment means. Don't just read the book, watch the assigned videos. Everything makes more sense when you see things. Go to the CRLC and practice.

3. Have fun. This a great opportunity to make friends that you will have for life. You can laugh at each other's stories and help each other out on clinical when you have more than one nightmare patient.

4. Don't let people scare you. Believe in yourself. You are in school. You are supposed to be learning. You do not need to be perfect as soon as you enter. You will be doing most of your learning after you graduate. If you mess up, go ahead and cry at home. We all have. Yet, remember that we ALL have. Start the next day fresh.

Hope this helps.

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How many clinical hours are required at Drexel? What is the format of the tests? Is it an incredibly hard program to get into?

Thanks so much for your help.

sarah

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The clinical hours are the same in every program. The clinical hours are those set by the Board of Nursing in order to qualify for a license. Although it is accelerated, you still do the same number of clinical hours. You just do them all in one week. For two quarters you will be going to clinicals for three days of the week. Last semester you are in clinicals for two days.

Tests are NCLEX style.

Not sure about the difficulty in getting in. Never researched that.

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