Villanova's BSNExpress, Drexel's ACE, or Jefferson's FACT?

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2009

I just started Drexel's program. I've only been in classes for 4 weeks, but the faculty have been really wonderful- supportive, approachable, concerned. There are a lot of support services available (simulation lab, tutoring, test reviews), and maybe this is just my class but there's a real sense of community that is completely lacking in competitiveness and catiness.

You have to pass an exit exam to graduate, but they give you several times to retake it if you don't score the minimum required to graduate. Tuition is expensive and they don't offer financial aid outside of federal loans, and the course information is all on blackboard and not really standardized between classes so it was a little tricky to figure out where things were at first. The pace is hectic, but it's an accelerated program so that's to be expected. I really only have one professor this semester that I'm not crazy about, and that's because she's a little flaky and unclear about what exactly is expected of us.

I've heard great things about Villanova and Jefferson too, so maybe a current student can weigh in on those schools.

hellomellow · Oct 14, 2009

Just a quick fact for those interested in Jefferson's FACT: last year, the school accepted only 80/600 applicants.

shanika1m1 · Oct 16, 2009

hi, you may want to relocate your post to pa nursing programs discussion you may get more responses and may even see a similar question posted! good luck!

Deeks0 · Oct 18, 2009

I graduated from Villanova's BSN Express. It was the best experience of my life. That is not to say it wasn't difficult...it was! However, it was paced. We got several, much needed breaks throughout the 14 months which is more than some other programs offer. The faculty was incredible and I still keep in touch with them. Our class was small which was great and our clinical groups even smaller.

Everyone I have talked to from class has passed their boards on the first try...most of them only got 75 questions. Several people have jobs. It is a highly respected school with a long history and outstanding reputation in nursing. I truly can not say enough great things about it.

sunshine0509 · Oct 19, 2009

Current Jefferson student so may be biased. I think the program is wonderful.

I choose it over Drexel because

- automatically accepted in their master portion

- do not have to go clinical site the night before

- it is a month longer because u get 2 weeks off in august and 1 week in march

- do not have to pay to retake hesi/do not have to pass hesi to continue each semester (although this may be a rumor about drexel)

Good luck with your decision!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

Current Jefferson student so may be biased. I think the program is wonderful.
I choose it over Drexel because
- automatically accepted in their master portion
- do not have to go clinical site the night before
- it is a month longer because u get 2 weeks off in august and 1 week in march
- do not have to pay to retake hesi/do not have to pass hesi to continue each semester (although this may be a rumor about drexel)
Good luck with your decision!

We don't have to go to the clinical site the night before. I think it's a relatively recent change.

coralreefRN · Oct 26, 2009

Hello All!
Villanova's BSNExpress, Drexel's ACE, or Jefferson's FACT?
Does anyone have opinions as to which accelerated nursing program is best?
Personal experiences? Rumors? ANYTHING???

Hey There,

I did the Drexel Program and if I had it to do over I would definitely choose a longer program, 14 or 18 months maybe. It was extremely hard due to the 23 credits a quarter. You are doing 2 1/2 years of college in 11 months. And you have no "fluff" courses. They are all substantive nursing courses that contain a lot of technical information that you must understand and memorize. Although the first quarter is easy and you do have some easier courses. The next 3 are the hard ones.

I am not focusing on the negative aspects of the program b/c I have an axe to grind. I don't, I did very well and graduated with a 3.5, passed the HESI with a 95 and passed the NCLEX first time.

But the 11 months were exhausting. In one quarter we had 8 finals/hesi exams in 4 days, back to back, with only 2 study days (the weekend). We had a hesi in the am and a final in the afternoon. In another quarter it was 7 exams back to back in 4 days. What I found hard was not having reading days in between exams. If you are good at memorizing and really disciplined, you'll make it. Also, the passing grade for exams in the Drexel program is now 77. It was 76 when I was there. And in every course you take you will have a Math exam in week 2 of every quarter and you must pass with a 90 or above. You get 2 chances in each course. If you decide on Drexel, make sure you get the book "Calculate with Confidence" and study it prior to first quarter. They tell you to do this b/c you have your first Math test in the 2nd week.

I did get a good education and I think our graduating class was 130 maybe. Another thing I didn't like about the program is that they take too many students. There was not enough room to work in the simulation lab to do procedures. We were packed in like sardines. And not enough medical models to practice on. This year they took 200 new students. My rear was 170 and it was overcrowded. For the price of tuition we pay I was shocked at the paucity of resources for the nursing students.

I hope this helps. I wish you the best of luck in your nursing school endeavours.

hellomellow · Oct 26, 2009

Hi, Mauread:

Thank you for sharing your experiences with Drexel's ACE Program. Your advice and input is more than appreciated, especially considering you have over 20 years of nursing experience!

Does anyone have information on Penn's BSN Second Degree Program? Or, I'd love to hear more about Villanova's BSN Express and Jefferson's FACT Program.

gouranga · Apr 25, 2011

I'm also considering Drexel's ACE BSN program. The site says they accept two cohorts - one in the fall and another in the spring. When exactly do the programs start? Thanks!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

March and september. The september cohort is larger.

gouranga · Apr 25, 2011

I'm confused. The web site says application deadlines are April 15th and for Spring and October 15th for the fall, so how can they start in March and September?