Drexel Fall 2015 whnp

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 29, 2014

I have already applied to Drexel's Fall 2015 WHNP program. I would like to know if anyone has started the program within the past year and can comment on the program thus far. I live in Central Florida and do not know anyone who has tried the Drexel WHNP online program or even applied for that matter. Thanks.

It's a good program. There's a lot of work...it isn't easy. Drexel's NP programs have a good reputation.

I know a few people in the WHNP program. You do have to find your own preceptors and being out of state...they likely won't be able to help you much. Also, the programs require on campus time with clinical quarters. The on campus ranges from 2-3 days one time each clinical quarter.

zeus&lincoln · Dec 4, 2014

Hello there,

I just started at Drexel this Fall... I actually just turned in my final paper for one of my classes today and my final exam for patho is this Wednesday! I too live in Central Florida...So we are neighbors. :)

My thoughts on the program so far...

1. You take your generic courses with np students in all specialities... This semester I was the only WHNP student in both of my classes... It makes it difficult to get to know your peers. I hear that once we enter speciality courses and physically go to the university for check-offs you really become a cohort. As of now I still don't know any of my WHNP peers.

2. I was told that there would be a lot of interaction by peers and professors via blackboard however with the exception of online discussion posts, interaction thus far has been minimal. I am told that live course interaction does occur in some of the other courses. I am still waiting on that.

3. As far as finding our own preceptors... I know that we have to do that, but we haven't been provided with instruction as to how to go about that. We should be receiving info on that in the coming semesters. We don't start clinicals until our last year so there isn't much urgency to tell us right now.

Please feel free to pm me or ask any additional questions you may have.

Best,

Zeus&Linc

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 4, 2014

Hello there,
I just started at Drexel this Fall... I actually just turned in my final paper for one of my classes today and my final exam for patho is this Wednesday! I too live in Central Florida...So we are neighbors. :)
My thoughts on the program so far...
1. You take your generic courses with np students in all specialities... This semester I was the only WHNP student in both of my classes... It makes it difficult to get to know your peers. I hear that once we enter speciality courses and physically go to the university for check-offs you really become a cohort. As of now I still don't know any of my WHNP peers.
2. I was told that there would be a lot of interaction by peers and professors via blackboard however with the exception of online discussion posts, interaction thus far has been minimal. I am told that live course interaction does occur in some of the other courses. I am still waiting on that.
3. As far as finding our own preceptors... I know that we have to do that, but we haven't been provided with instruction as to how to go about that. We should be receiving info on that in the coming semesters. We don't start clinicals until our last year so there isn't much urgency to tell us right now.
Please feel free to pm me or ask any additional questions you may have.
Best,
Zeus&Linc

You won't get much in the way of peer interaction until the OCI (on campus intensive). There are those who start groups and then pull people in so there is interaction with other students.

They will have you do an orientation for your track when you get closer to your clinicals. That's when they talk about what to look for and how they recommend doing it. It won't hurt to start getting a list of providers in your area that provide gun care and such so you have a list to start with when the time comes.

OCI is stressful and fun all in one...it will be nice when you get to meet others in your cohort.

zeus&lincoln · Dec 5, 2014

Thanks for responding... I kind of figured that's how it would be... But it is nice to hear it again :). I also think there are so few people in my track which makes it a bit more difficult to form connections but that is fine... I think there are only 25 people in my track this year.

How far along are you in the program? How have your classes been thus far? This semester I took patho and a health policy course. Next semester I take pharm and ethics. So far it hasn't been too terribly difficult. I am still working FT... Are you?

VickyCS 2001 · Dec 6, 2014

@zeus&lincoln-Thank you so much for replying. It helps a lot!!! BTW-when you applied, how soon did you get a response? Also, how is the financial aid process? Vicky

VickyCS 2001 · Dec 6, 2014

@IrishlzRN-I was wondering how your work schedule is with the classes. I now work at a multi-specialty md office (mon-Fri) and plan to cut hours once I start a program. I'm thinking it might have been easier if I was still a hosp rn working 3 -12hrs shifts....

zeus&lincoln · Dec 6, 2014

Hello Vicky- I think the deadline was July 1st- I thought about applying June 28th, sent in my app on the first and heard 3 weeks later.

Financial aid is very easy. I sent in my fafsa and gave them by employers name since they pay for a percentage since they are partners with Drexel (a lot of places are so check on that) and Drexel sent me a check for the difference in what they charge vs what my loans gave them... I think I got nearly $500 back. It was very very simple. So don't stress on that end.

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 6, 2014

Thanks for responding... I kind of figured that's how it would be... But it is nice to hear it again :). I also think there are so few people in my track which makes it a bit more difficult to form connections but that is fine... I think there are only 25 people in my track this year.
How far along are you in the program? How have your classes been thus far? This semester I took patho and a health policy course. Next semester I take pharm and ethics. So far it hasn't been too terribly difficult. I am still working FT... Are you?

My groups is very small....even smaller than what you are expecting for your group.

I am almost done...all goes well I have 2 classes and 1 final left. There are some classes that are really rough and some that are just a ton of work. The real change in difficulty is once you hit the track specific pharm...and then the clinical quarters.

The program is rough, there is a lot of work and sometimes it feels like there are no breaks. I would tell people don't plan vacations (though you may squeeze one in) and plan to cut back any social life you have one you hit the clinical quarters. It can be really hard to find the time to study and write the papers and do the presentations and write the SOAP notes and do clinicals while having a normal life...so plan to cut something out of life. I know we have been told several time (once we hit the clinical quarters) that school is what takes over. Now I'm not WH so maybe the WH track is "easier"...but I doubt it LOL

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 6, 2014

@IrishlzRN-I was wondering how your work schedule is with the classes. I now work at a multi-specialty md office (mon-Fri) and plan to cut hours once I start a program. I'm thinking it might have been easier if I was still a hosp rn working 3 -12hrs shifts....

I quit my job BUT...I worked a place that wasn't flexible with school. They would not ensure I had off on the nights I needed off for class. They would never work with my to get me a set schedule so I could reasonably do clinicals...they would say they would do their best but if they needed me to work I needed to remember they were priority #1. I may have been able to juggle that but I have more kids than the average and there are some health issues with them.

I want to say everyone else I know in the program works. I do know some people without kids who are working full time and struggling. I think working really comes down to where you work and how they will work with you and what else you have going on at home. If you have no kids, your kids are older or you have 1 or 2 little ones...working may be fine.

Once you start your clinical quarters the working M-F might be rough...I have spent 99% of my clinicals during the week. You are going to need to be available when the preceptor is working....so just keep that in mind.

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 6, 2014

Hello Vicky- I think the deadline was July 1st- I thought about applying June 28th, sent in my app on the first and heard 3 weeks later.
Financial aid is very easy. I sent in my fafsa and gave them by employers name since they pay for a percentage since they are partners with Drexel (a lot of places are so check on that) and Drexel sent me a check for the difference in what they charge vs what my loans gave them... I think I got nearly $500 back. It was very very simple. So don't stress on that end.

I know they reworked some things but I think this is still can issue with financial aid...

Any quarter you don't have 3.5 credits you don't qualify for financial aid. So be prepared to deal with that. Some took out a private loan and some took an extra class during those quarters...

VickyCS 2001 · Dec 7, 2014

Great. Thanks a million!