Info on Jefferson FACT Program

[BelleRN2B]

Hi all,

I just met with an academic counselor at TJU over the fact program and just wanted to share some of the take-aways (all according to the counselor)...I have meetings at UPenn and Drexel as well and will share what I will be told

1. Money for school:

First and foremost, she said that last year, TJU gave out 50 full tuition scholarships in nursing, and 45 of those went to FACT students!

2. Why FACT over UPenn or ACE:

FACT is more clinical, UPenn and ACE are more research based - TJU nurses (allegedly) have more experience from day 1.

3. Clinicals:

FACT has the same amount of clinical time as the traditonal nursing program. FACT is 24 hours a week over 1 year, traditional is 16 hours a week over 2.

[mah09]

Hello, Yes I would recommend the FACT program. It's excellent! Some students continued full time to get their Masters. Most students go to work full time and complete the Masters part time - then you have the added benefit of tuition assistance from your employer. It is an excellent education, and we were very well prepared for the NCLEX (most people I know passed with 75 questions - the best you can do!). There are ALOT of different clinical sites in PA and NJ (even DE). For example, Jefferson, Einstein, Temple, PAH, CHOP, Christiana, Cooper, Virtua, Friends, schools, even home care . . . . The job market is tough for new grads in Philly right now, and I wish I had worked as a Nurse Extern because they are hired first. The FACT program discouraged us from working at all (a few people did), but I would try to do it for first dibs on the jobs! Although, there are states that are desperate for RNs if you can relocate, and everybody says the Philly market has ups and downs and should recover soon.Sharon Burke is one of the key instructors, and I think she's pretty amazing, along with a lot of the other instructors. And I LOVE nursing! I wish you all the best!

[blondiemcd24]

Hi Mah09,

I am going to have a tour of Jefferson on Monday and am very excited.

Thanks for getting back to me with that information. How big was your class? Is it imperative to have a car? I am wondering if going to school for 2 years -- for the masters, is a better choice, considering the job market. But, I guess I have a lot of time to decide -- and will have to figure out financing it, if I choose to do that.

Did you live in on-campus housing? Where would you recommend to live?

Thanks!! Have a great day!

[slickchic404]

All this info is great. How many people approximately were in your class?

[mtngal77]

Please tell me more about the full-scholarship. Is it posted through the Jefferson School of Nursing website? How would I learn more about it/apply? Thanks!

[kdrose01]

I can answer a few of these questions.

You don't need a car. Niki said a lot of people do Philly Car Share and students share the cost of a car rental for the day to get to various clinical sites. Some you can reach by public transportation, but it depends upon where they are.

The full scholarship has been discontinued. Jefferson used to award them to students, but the students were obligated to work for Jefferson for 3 years. Not a bad deal - an education AND a job! But they disappeared when the economy tanked.