Nursing: Ten Essential Questions About the Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) Baccalaureate Nursing Program

I. What is the ACE Nursing Program?
The ACE Program was initiated in 2001 at Drexel University. It is a full time Baccalaureate Nursing Program for men and women who have already earned a bachelors degree in another field and are interested in changing careers.
This innovative program will create excellent nurses who benefit from the intensity of learning versus learning nursing science over the course of 3 or 4 years. Graduates may select positions from a variety of practice sites and specialties including critical care, maternal-child health, military services, pharmaceutical research and many others.

II. How long does it take to complete the program?
The ACE Program is 11 months in length, the shortest accelerated program in the country. We accept 2 cohorts per year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Drexel is on the quarter system; therefore you attend classes and clinical rotations over 4 quarters.

III. What is unique about this program compared to other accelerated programs?
At Drexel, we believe in infusing technology into all of our programs. In nursing, we utilize PDAs in the classroom as well as in the clinical setting, students take a Nursing Informatics course, all courses are web-enhanced, we offer a standardized patient lab experience, and utilize standardized computerized tests (HESI Exams) throughout the program. In addition to technology, students are provided with a summative review course that prepares them to take a Comprehensive HESI Exit Exam and the NCLEX Exam. Also, we pride ourselves on our experienced faculty who are specialists in their respective fields.

IV. Is the ACE Program accredited and recognized as a top nursing school?
Yes, the ACE Program is accredited by CCNE and the NLN. Drexel nursing programs are highly recognized locally as well as nationally. Our NCLEX pass rate is currently 98.6%, one of the highest in the country.

V. Do the graduates from the ACE Program get jobs?
Absolutely! Our students are recruited from the time they walk into the program. We also have recruiters come to the school and meet with them as well. The majority of students have accepted positions in various types of nursing settings before they graduate.

VI. What nursing options will be available to me upon completion of this program?
The ACE Program will prepare you to take an entry level position as a nurse in several types of settings including: hospitals, out-patient clinics and offices, or insurance and pharmaceutical companies. The majority of students take positions in hospital settings in units such as medical, surgical, critical care, emergency room, obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology, psychiatric, and gerontological units.

VII. Have any of your students gone on for further education?
Several of our ACE students have applied and been accepted to graduate programs. At Drexel, we also have graduate nursing programs available for students to choose from.

VIII. What is the difference between your ACE Program and your Co-op Program?
Students who already have a bachelors degree and are interested in entering the nursing profession as a “second degree learner” are eligible for the ACE Program. The Co-op Program is a more generic nursing program for students who do not have previous degrees. This program includes 3 integrated cooperative employment opportunities over the course of 5 years. Students who graduate from either of these programs receive a bachelors degree and are eligible to take their RN licensure exam.

IX. What is included in your admission criteria?
In order to be admitted to the program, the candidate must have earned a prior baccalaureate degree with a 3.0 overall GPA or 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of course work completed. Also, students are required to take prerequisite courses before matriculating in the ACE Program. The University grants advanced credit for courses completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. We may also grant credit for courses from colleges that are recognized candidates for accreditation (according to the Association of College and Schools/Commission on Higher Education) or if they are substantially equivalent to courses offered in the desired major at Drexel University.
ALL prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the ACE Program with a grade of “C” or better.

X. Can I enroll in this program part-time?
No, this is a full time program. In fact, due to its accelerate pace, we encourage all students not to work while they are attending the program. It is a very rigorous, challenging program.