Who Has the Best Accelerated BSN Program in Philadelphia?

msdizzydolores · May 23, 2008

i'll respond here too:

eastern university has an excellent Accelerated BSN program.

i work for the university and our class starts soon.

moderator note: please do not post personal information and phone numbers within the main forums

raquelphiladelphia, NP · Aug 24, 2008

I heard that Drexel is horrible. Don't go there! I will check out Eastern University. Thanks

sloaneparker · Oct 24, 2008

The Eastern U site is down - not a good sign:

http://www.eastern.edu/academic/ccgps/nursing/bsn_two/index.html

also, why did you hear Drexel is so bad?

fins · Oct 25, 2008

Jefferson FACT program has a very low attrition rate, and an almost 100% NCLEX pass rate. Drexel also has a very high NCLEX pass rate, but (I've heard) a much higher attrition rate. Penn's program (when I looked several years ago) was at least 18 months long, which is longer than the others.

AtomicWoman · Oct 25, 2008

Penn's is ridiculously expensive. IMO. And not worth it, at least in terms of NCLEX pass rates (they're usually in the low 90% range). It may help you get a job at Penn if you go to Penn, but I don't know.

I got accepted to FACT and start in May. Tuition is just about the same as Drexel, but the FACT students seem a teensy bit less frazzled than the ACE students. :)

Research 'em all and decide what's best for you. You may decide you like Drexel's program length (I think it's 11 months) or Jefferson's emphasis on getting you some MSN credits while you do your BSN, or Penn's Ivy League reputation.

Don't forget to check Villanova's BSN Express and LaSalle's program while you're at it.

Here are NCLEX pass rates through 2007, but it doesn't differentiate between ABSN and BSN programs at the same school:

http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/nurs_board/nclex_performance-rn.pdf

LUXOR21 · Oct 29, 2008

Does Eastern have an evening program? I mean a program that classes start after 4pm.

XLFord · Oct 31, 2008

Drexel ACE has a 98.6% NCLEX passing rate, and that is since the program started. I am a bit biased, I am a ACE Student myself. I wouldn't say it's horrible, but it is definately hard, but I'd imagine so for all the other accelerated courses in the area.

raquelphiladelphia, NP · Oct 31, 2008

Has anyone heard of the st josephs' nursing school. It is a one year RN accelerated course.

blueberrimuffins · Dec 31, 2008

Just graduated from University of Pennsylvania's Accelerated BSN program. It is very expensive BUT they have a VERY generous financial aid program if you demonstrate financial need. They also just instituted a no loan financial aid program for undergraduate students which means they will give you all the financial aid you show that you need so that you will graduate without having to take out any loans.

I would highly recommend this accelerated program based on the quality of MOST of the clinical instructors, the great clinical sites we are placed at (#1 children's hospital, #10 adult hospital, one of the best labor and delivery departments), and the great opportunities we have to interact with leading nursing professors and researchers. The 17.5 month program is also not so condensed that you're dying every week, and gave me enough time to work 10-15 hrs a week as part of a research team, and to volunteer at a community clinic. The only downside is that you are in class during summers (which isn't rare for accelerated programs), which takes away the opportunity to do a nurse externship, which hospitals usually look for when deciding to hire.

I had clinicals with accelerated Drexel students, and they just seemed to be very worn out by the program and having to juggle 3 different clinical rotations at once. Seems very tough!

Please pm me with any additional questions!

kwanee · Feb 22, 2009

Do you think a single mother with 2 small children 5 & 6 years old can handle it at Penn?

raquelphiladelphia, NP · Feb 22, 2009

I heard peen is a great school but challenging. I am a mother of 4 it can be done but hopefully you have a supportive husband who will help out while in school. Otherwise it will be difficult but not impossible.