Penn vs. Jefferson (accelerated BSN programs)

hellomellow · Mar 5, 2010

Wow, thank you for this!

I'm from Hawai'i, so I may move back home upon graduating as well.

Best of luck with your remaining three weeks. It must be an amazing feeling to know you're almost done! Congrats. :)

curiosity123 · Mar 13, 2010

Congratulations on your excellent progress. Your positive attitude will serve you well.

I am wondering if you would be willing to share about how many students started in your class and how many will finish the program on time with you?

juniataemt06 · Mar 15, 2010

Pupule,

We didn't have anyone from Hawaii in our program but we did have about 4 people from California, 1 from Washington, and 1 from Oregon. The large majority were from PA, DE, and NJ.

Curiosity,

I believe we started with around 88 or so. We have about 75 right now. A lot of people quit early on like after the 1st quarter. It either wasn't for them, they failed out, or had other issues. I know some people had family issues and others had financial issues. 1st quarter was an adjustment phase but it wasn't hard. 2nd quarter academics were kinda challenging with maternity (me being a guy), mental health, and adult. A few people failed adult, and maternity. I think one failed mental health. 3rd quarter adult and peds were challenging but others were pretty easy. This quarter was 23 credits but a lot of BS busy work.

We lost probably 10-15 people from our original group but then others joined that had failed previous quarters and will graduate with us. We also had some CO-OP students from Drexel's regular 5 year BSN program.

The big question is the comprehensive final HESI test that we take this coming Saturday. It's a computerized standardized test that's designed to mirror the NCLEX. We need to pass it with an 87% or better. We have another chance ten days later. If we still don't pass it, we need to sign up for a review class next quarter that meets once a week where we will have two more chances to pass it. If we pass this test, we're pretty much gonna pass the NCLEX--that's why Drexel's NCLEX pass rates are so great. Drexel however does not advertise their HESI pass rate the first time through!

mary502010 · Mar 15, 2010

Drexel grad, here. Juniata, GOOD LUCK WITH HESI;...you have worked hard, you know your stuff, and after you pass...... PARTY...because you will never have to see that test again!!!!!!!

And to those looking at programs, I am glad I went through the program and survived, as did juniata, but if I had to do it over, I would not sign up for a program with the policy that ONE standarized test with

an arbitrary high score makes the decision if I can graduate and sit for NCLEX. Yes, Drexel is advertising their high pass rate, but they are not advertising how many students they have blocked from sitting. I have friends from my program who, after six months, are still trying to get that .5 or 1 point on HESI. No other school in the areas has this requirement.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2010

I have a friend who is in Penn's accelerated program and she likes it a lot. I visited Penn and fell in love with the place then started the application, felt it was fussy, and fell out of love lol. I'm at Drexel now (no regrets but it's definitely not for everyone). All things being equal (ie cost) I'd go with Penn, but I am someone who gets excited about rankings and such I liked the options available at Penn for advanced practice nursing, and the program seemed really supportive. It's a little longer, but not by much.

juniataemt06 · Mar 22, 2010

I took the HESI yesterday and passed! A lot of weight is now off my shoulders. Now onto the NCLEX!