Drexel ACE...

I'm getting really excited, but somewhat nervous, too. I got the 2nd step of my 2 step PPD test read yesterday & mailed my immunization records form out last night. I've bought binders, folders, notecards, notebooks, and plenty of black pens & mechanical pencils. I even bought the Assessment Made Incredibly Easy & Patient Teaching Made Incredibly Easy books really cheap online after I saw those topics on our list of 1st quarter classes. I still need to sign promissory notes for my loans & buy a digital recorder - been shopping around for one over the last week or so, but I'm still unsure of which one to buy. I want to buy my clinical shoes & a stethoscope, but keep fighting the urge by telling myself that I should wait until we get more information from school about the details, first. I don't want to buy something that I might have to return later. I even found a place online that sells our clinical uniforms...I couldn't help myself, I just had to google them - of course, I didn't buy anything, though! I'M OBSESSED!!

It's making me crazy that we don't have a book list or supplies list. I usually buy all of my books online to save money, & I'm afraid I won't have the time to do that this time around.

This whole waiting process is making me dread going to work each day. I find myself crossing off the days on my calendar and counting down the days until I give my 2 weeks notice. I see other people posting about their orientations and first days of school...it feels like forever until we start. Only 1 month and 26 days remaining at my current job!

I hope your Micro class is going well!

~Cathy

What was the site that sells our uniforms?

http://www.centraluniforms.com/Categories.bok?category=School+Uniforms%3ADrexel+Univ.+ACE+Program

There isn't much to look at, but it satisfied my curiosity.

~Cathy

Thanks Cathy! You are the best! That satisfied my curiosity too. For now. LOL.

No problem, Jwan! I think I was more curious than anything to know how much the uniforms were going to cost. I figure the first quarter is probably going to be the most costly and have just been trying to get an idea of how much of a hit my savings is going to take in the next couple of months.

I'm starting to stress a little bit about determining which lender I will go with for my loans. I feel like I'm not educated enough about how to compare them to make the right decision. Once that's been determined, reality will strike. The time since I received my acceptance letter has flown by...I've been so busy finishing up pre-reqs and working a full time and part time job. It'll be time to hit the books again before we know it!

How have things been going for you?

~Cathy

Things are going pretty well. I have a lot going on right now, so I haven't really been able to really realize that we are starting so soon. I'm moving and finishing up Microbiology. Its a hard subject. And the professor is tough too.

I am very much looking forward to starting though. I just got the packet in the mail for our Drug Screening and Child Abuse Clearance. I will fill that out tomorrow.

I know that the next year will be very budgetted. So, I am trying to start being more thrifty. I'm really nervous about the clinicals. I was reading the handbook for ACE on line last night. I don't think I like having to go to the clinical site the night before to get info on our patients. It seems so time consuming especially if the clinical is a far drive.

Are you taking the train into town or are you driving? Where are you from? I am almost considering trying to find someone who lives in the area and carpooling and taking turns so then its not a wear and tear on our cars. At least for class days. Clinical days is another story.

Wow...the next couple of months are going to fly by for you - finishing micro and moving?! Good luck! I'm freaking out because my house is a mess and I want it back in shape before school starts. I can't imagine packing up and moving.

I got that packet in the mail on Saturday, too. I tried to complete the background check yesterday morning, but had problems with the website. I got to the page that requested my PIN and entered my student ID # just like the directions told us to. When I clicked on submit the same page popped up asking for my PIN # again. After going through that 3 times and calling the customer service department only to find out that they are only available during normal business hours, I just gave up. I'll give it another shot tonight. Did you have any problems?

I was also thinking about that clinical requirement that we visit our patients the night before clinicals to collect information and I'm a little worried. From what I've read from past students, it's not extremely unlikely that we may have clinicals a ways away. I'm just afraid that I'll have a clinical in South Jersey and will have to drive 2 hours to collect info on my patients, drive 2 hours home and then drive 2 hours again the next morning for clinical.

I'll be taking the train into town. I live in Morrisville (Bucks County, PA), which is within 10-15 minutes of Northeast Philly. I don't want to put all that mileage and wear and tear on my car, or put out the money for gas and parking. Luckily, I have 2 train stations within 5 miles of my house that have lines going into the city. Is there a train station close to your home or on your way in that goes to the city? If not, I'm sure there will be other people from your area who will be driving in.

~Cathy