Margo37

Originally my program was going to have us do online simulation as well, but the certifying groups (ANCC, PNCB, etc) have said this isn’t allowed for the 500 hours minimum needed to take boards. If you’re over that and just need some more for the school’s graduation requirements it seems like that is OK, but if you’re under 500 it won’t be. I graduate in the Spring too and am at 480 hours. Haven’t heard what our school’s updated plan is yet for us yet. https://www.pncb.org/sites/default/files/resources/2020323_Final_Statement_NP_Students_and_Clinical_Hours.pdf

We’ve just been told that our program is cancelling clinicals for the Spring quarter. This is my last quarter before I graduate so I am freaking out! They said they’re working on a plan to get us our hours virtually but I’m very concerned with what this means for the clinical hour requirement for boards. From what I understand these need to be hands on hours, so I’m worried that virtual patients won’t count.

granadina, I don't live anywhere near PA and I'm pretty sure none of my coworkers have heard of Drexel either. I'm gearing up to start searching for preceptors for next year, and I'll be honest, I'm a bit nervous about it. I think I'll be at a bit of a disadvantage not having many alumni practicing in my area, like students at the local schools do. However, I have a few coworkers who are ahead of me in other NP programs and I'm hoping I can find preceptors through them or through the NPs at my practice. Like rnbannanie said, we have a clinical coordinator and a lot of people that assist in the process, and it sounds like if push comes to shove and time is running out, they will do everything they can to make sure you find something (though that might mean driving a couple hours away for clinical). I wouldn't worry too much about your hospital not having a current contract. Regardless of whether your hospital has a contract with Drexel or not, it will be unlikely that you will be able to complete every clinical there anyway. Having to create a contract between the school and the preceptor sites isn't necessarily a problem either, it will just take a little longer to get everything squared away. But once you find somebody that is willing to take you, Drexel deals with the whole contract portion themselves, so you won't have to navigate that. Overall, I've been very happy with Drexel so far. There are definitely some frustrations that go along with an online program, but it seems that even brick and mortar programs do the didactic classes online these days, and it's very common for students to have to find preceptors. I've been pretty happy with all of my professors so far, and while the classes have been challenging, I feel that they do their best to set us up for success.

Tuition rates are available on the website. For 2018-2019 it's $1265/credit. They offer tuition discounts for a decent number of employers though, so something to look in to! I wound up randomly being eligible for a 25% tuition discount because of where my dad is employed. I'm one year into my NP program but I'm not psych so I can't speak to the professors in those clinical courses. I've been very happy with my experience so far though.

@Gbest529, Good so far! I'm in my forth quarter so I'm taking Advanced Patho now and finally feel like I'm in the meat of the program. The last few quarters were all general MSN classes (ethics, research, etc) and they were all super writing focused (Patho is the first class I've had an actual exam in), but they were interesting enough. I don't think you're going to avoid those types of classes in any program, but at least they cram them all into the first year so once you're done with them, you're done. The research classes were a bit brutal to be honest, just because of the amount of writing involved (and I personally hate writing), but I got through it ok. I've been very happy in Patho so far, our professor provides Powerpoints and a lot of direction when it comes to studying for the exams, which I appreciate since coworkers of mine in other programs are basically just handed the book and told to teach themselves. Every professor I've encountered so far has been a fair grader and very reachable for questions and concerns.

RNbannanie, I'm in the primary care PNP program. I started last fall. I'd be happy to answer any questions! I haven't gotten into the clinical portion yet so I won't be much help there though. I'm also a bit nervous about finding clinicals, but I've been pretty impressed with Drexel so far!

Yeah I think it was about a month to make a decision.

Only took a week or two for me. But it sounds like it varies a lot

Boojeebarbie, I'm so sorry that was your experience. That's disappointing to hear. My advisor was has been great and very accessible and somebody from admissions was calling me weekly during the process to check in and make sure I didn't have any questions. Good luck at wherever you choose! And Nikki, while they don't find clinical sites for you (which I am a bit nervous about) they said that they have a placement coordinator that can provide some level of assistance and they do have a list of sites around the country past students have used that they can provide if you are really struggling. Not ideal, but doesn't seem like they totally leave you out there alone to struggle like some schools.

@boujeebarbie Happy to help!

Happy to help!

I'm in my third quarter and haven't had any exams yet. Just papers and projects and discussion boards. I hate writing so it's been a bit rough, but it's just the nature of the courses we take the first few quarters (research, ethics, quality and safety, contemporary issues in healthcare). I have coworkers doing programs at a variety of schools and they all have to take similar classes and theirs are very writing intensive too. So I think it's unavoidable. Luckily Drexel front loads all these classes so it's kind of boring the first bit but then once you're through them you're in more of the meat of the program. After this quarter I'm done with the "fluff" class and start taking patho, pharm, assessment, etc. So far I've found the professors super helpful and quick to respond to concerns and questions. There is always a q&a type discussion board you can ask questions on or the professors all provide their emails. I've always heard back within the day. You definitely have to be a pretty independent student to do an online program since you're not in a classroom being held accountable every week. It's up to you to keep up with the readings and PowerPoints and keep on top of assignments. But compared to other online programs I've heard about, Drexel seems a little more "personal" if that makes sense. I don't feel like they're just leaving me to teach myself and figure everything out. I very much feel part of a class. And once you get into pharm there are weekly synchronous lectures to attend online. So you still gat a classroom experience once you get further in.

Yup, before it's time to register you can look ahead and see the different sections and who the professors are. I don't remember exactly what my books were the first quarter but there will also be a link to the Drexel bookstore when you register for your classes that will tell you what books you need for each class and you can either buy them through there or find them for cheaper on Amazon or somewhere else.

Yeah I didn't find any other Drexel people on here when I started either haha. I took 6 credits the first quarter, it was an ethics class and one on contemporary issues in healthcare. Both were actually pretty interesting

Congrats!! I don't remember exactly what happened afterwards. You have a certain amount of time to accept the offer of admission and then I feel like it's radio silence for a little bit until things get closer. They give you info on how to set up your email and accounts and then you'll receive an email from your advisor sometime mid summer about how to register for your first quarter. I also believe there was an online orientation session in there somewhere as well. I find Drexel to be really good with communication so they will keep you posted on what's needed from you and what's coming next. Congrats again!