LearninginNJ

I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. This quarter has been crazy for us. Some are using student loans, others have other means to pay. I, personally, use a combination of GI Bill and student loans. You are able to complete a FAFSA every year. Drexel bills by the quarter. The cost of books really depends on where you buy them. There are many places less expensive than the book store and you can even rent them. I'm not sure I understand your question about the clinical components. You are assigned to a clinical for each class that has a clinical component. You do not get a choice, they just put you somewhere and there is no changing where you're placed.

Your classes will be every Tuesday and Thursday evening. They go from 6-9 or 6-10, depending on the class. You will not have clinicals in Our N110 class was hybrid in that quarter. We had an online component and once a month we had to go into the classroom on a Saturday morning. Second quarter we had a Saturday clinical for 12 hours, but that was a 12-hour lab for the first Saturday and the second was half at the clinical site and half at the lab. We also had an 8-hour lab every other Sunday. After that, clinicals will be every other weekend throughout the program with Tuesday and Thursday classes. Nursing Informatics is mostly online during the third quarter.

Hi, Lis25. Congratulations in getting accepted. I added you to the Facebook group. I commute, as well, though I'm coming from South Jersey. Parking is easy, and as was said if you get there it's only $5. The garage is right across the street from the school. the HESIs are 5 percent, 10 percent, and 15 percent of your grade in some classes. There are other tests to go along with that, so getting a good GPA is not hard. Any questions, just ask here or in facebook. Any of us are glad to offer help and advice.

BSN is the way to go. It's getting harder to find jobs with an ASN. There will be a HESI after every class that has a clinical and after Pharmacology 1 and 2. The professors help you to understand rationales before you go into the HESI. There is a final HESI that you have to pass to graduate. The HESIs in other classes are counted as a percentage of the grade. They have resources to help you prepare, and there are HESI prep books and flashcards available. The questions, from what I'm told, are basically common sense. You will see multiple right answers to each question and you have to choose the one that's most right, if that makes sense. They say that if you do well on the HESI, you will do really well on he NCLEX. You will ear bad things about Drexel, especially from people who did not do well, but they are committed to you passing. The drop rate is not as high as people say it is, and then they're talking about the 11-month program. We have had one drop out so far. If you don't pay attention in class, and you don't practice and study you won't pass, just like any other academic program. If you study and practice you will make it.

Hi! First, welcome to the program. I have not regretted doing this at all. When do you start? In the Fall? Some answers and some advice. 1 & 2. Classes start at 6 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our first quarter was a little weird, and I'm not sure if yours will be different. We were there Tuesdays for Pathophysiology, one Saturday a month for Nursing 110, and we had genetics online. After that the quarters are Tuesdays and Thursdays start at 6. Classes will end at 8:50 or 9:50, depending on the class. Labs and clinicals will be every other weekend starting week 2 and the days will depend on the quarter. Right now we're in our second quarter and we have lab for N112 Saturdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM and lab/clinicals Sundays from 7 AM to 7:30 PM. Your clinical sites will be chosen for you and there is no chance to switch. I commute as well, from South Jersey, and this schedule actually is easy for me. I also have a family so it makes it even better for them. 3. We have several people in out cohort who work full-time, some who work part-time, and some who don't work. The ability to balance the schedule with work really depends on you and how well you can balance your time. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer, but that's the best I can give you. Everybody is different. I do want to say that you will want to make some time to practice skills in the practice labs during your second quarter. You will need to pass a skills checkout. 4. I love this program. It seems overwhelming at times, but it's been a great experience so far. The pace can seem a little slow, but it allows for some free time and to study and practice. Drexel is not the best at communicating things, but don't let that frustration get to you. We are the pilot cohort for this program, and a lot of answers we get form the administration is, "We're still trying to figure that out." We are trying to make comments and suggestions that will make it better for the cohorts that follow us. We have 19 in our cohort, which is great because we all get a chance to know each other and be comfortable working together in labs. Some further advice. Order scrubs early, as they take up to a month to get. You can get them from Uniform Advantage or Advance Healthcare. If you Google Drexel ACE uniform you should find them. Don't buy the lab coat. You'll never use it and it's not required. If you can find used books, and even in an edition before the current one, go with those. Unless you like the electronic books. They work just as well. Shoes - don't sweat them. They do have to be all white, but they can be sneakers. I have a pair crocs at work bistros, as does another classmate, and they are great. They're close toed so they are allowed and cheap compared to Danskos or another brand of nursing shoes. Don't buy a stethoscope, they will give one to you, along with a blood pressure cuff and a bag full of supplies you'll need. You do need to get bandage scissors and goggles. I'm not sure of what else to tell you at the moment, but if you have more questions, ask away. Also, we have a facebook group. Look for Drexel ACE 24 Pilot Program (Fall 2014), and request to join and I'll add you. You'll get to see some of our gripes and successes, the questions we've had along the way, and we are all willing to give advice to those coming into the program.

I just added you both.

You have been added.

Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/772128249494339/ I am going, so I will let you know what I find out. Good luck with micro!

Ok, I figured it out, group started. I named it Drexel ACE 24 Pilot Program (Fall 2014).

I'd be glad to start a Facebook group. Do I need user names to do that or is there way to start a page without that?

I found it here, Undergraduate Events | Undergraduate Admissions | Drexel University Too bad you can't make it. I'm registered and can fill anyone in on what I find out. I found out about the veterans' money by going to the web page for veteran students at the student affairs website.

Interesting. I heard from him this morning, as well. I found the session on one of the Drexel pages. He said at this time they do not have a separate ACE 24 session, but it would be worthwhile to attend the session for the 11-month because it gives a good overview of the ACE program and Drexel's nursing department. He also said he would be available immediately afterward to answer any ACE 24 questions. There is stuff that needs to get done, and the week before may be a bit late, like the physical, Hep B vaccine series if haven't had it done yet, and the background check. Also, if anyone attending is a veteran and does not qualify for the yellow ribbon program contact the veterans office in student affairs. They have money available. I didn't get much, but every little bit helps.

There is a session for accepted ACE students on May 28th. I e-mailed Evan and he said that they do not have a separate orientation for the ACE 24 and that it would be beneficial to attend this session. I think I am going to register for it.

May 31st is the deadline for the tuition deposit.

Apparently the deposit is taken care of by the money I get for being a member of Phi Theta Kappa. I may try to get work at a hopsital so I can get practical experience.