My two top choices of Nursing Programs in Philadelphia are Drexel's ACE program and Jefferson's FACT program. Im trying to figure out which is the best fit for me. I'm 28 years old and plan to start next year. I am trying to get my degree as a Nurse Practitioner as quickly as possible but want the best education available to me. I can't seem to find ranking of fast track programs that show the success rate in the field. I currently work at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in psychiatry and love working in the academic setting. I just need to further my education so I can eventually have my own patients, prescribe and potentially continue doing research. Any suggestions? I'm also interested in the Boston and San Francisco area. What's everyone's opinion on Drexel versus Jefferson? Is one program better connected to an MSN or NP path? Thanks
Any ideas on places to apply in the San Fran or Boston area???
I have all the prereqs for most fast track programs.
There are a ton of threads here on the ACE program. I've shared a lot of details in other threads started by myself and others. It's a lot to sift through but I highly recommend doing a board search to make the most of this board as a resource.
Hi Gracefulmic! I would love to hear your feedback regarding Drexel's ACE program. I'm currently waiting to hear if I've been accepted into the Fall 2011 program. Thanks!
You should also search for the Drexel dissertation, which a PhD candidate wrote based upon her research regarding the success vs. failure of ACE students. It will give you some ideas about what to expect for ACE and accelerated programs in general. Jobs are still hard to come by, though, from what I've heard.
I tried googling "Drexel dissertation" but nothing came up regarding the ACE program. Do you have anymore information or a website I could look at? Thanks!
I have been recently accepted to Drexel's ACE Program (Spring 2012) Drexel was my first choice school until I read horrible posts about "HESI" exams. I completely understand the rigor and nature of these accelerated programs but why are so my "A/B students" failing these exams? I am a Udel Grad BS in Exercise Physiology but I am not the most amazing test-taker. I have read a lot of post that HESI's can be worth up to 50% of your grade and if you fail more than once you need to re-take the entire course. Any insight would be much apprecited. Thanks!
I think there are a few things to keep in mind. Many A/B students stop being A/B students once nursing school starts, which you can see on the general student forum here. Add an additional element of difficulty by accelerating the program and you see more people dropping grades than in a traditional program. Also: more people take the time to complain than to talk about how it was hard but not impossible.
It's definitely not a program for everyone. They accept solely based on GPA which doesn't really filter for the type of personality to be able to cope and manage the stress of the program. We lost about a third of my class after second quarter. Many of those students returned to retake the class, some went to other programs, and some decided to pursue other things. Of those of us that made it to the exit exam, 60% about passed the exit exam on the first try. Everyone got a free second try, and then an optional third try before having to take the senior seminar over again where two more chances to take the exit exam were offered. As of this time, I do not know of anyone from my class who had to take the senior seminar a third time.
Now that I've graduated and am working, I do feel like I was well prepared to work as a nurse. I certainly don't know everything and there were some procedures I didn't get a chance to do during clinical (but honestly, that stuff is easy to pick up on the job). The hospital that hired me likes ACE grads and we have a good reputation in the immediate and surrounding area. The trick is figuring out whether you will be one of the majority who does finish the program or one of the sizeable minority who does not.
hiddencatRN, BSN, RN
3,408 Posts
There are a ton of threads here on the ACE program. I've shared a lot of details in other threads started by myself and others. It's a lot to sift through but I highly recommend doing a board search to make the most of this board as a resource.