Ok, I just want to set the record straight since I've been reading all these false information from nurses/nursing students/future nurses who opted not to go to this school because they were advised not to. Who am I? I am an RN grad from Kaplan College San Diego CA. I graduated February 2012 and currently taking RN-BSN online program at Chamberlain College of Nursing. Let me tell you some few points:
1. For those people claiming that Kaplan is not accredited, here is your answer: Kaplan is nationally accredited. The reason why they say it is not accredited is because Kaplan is not REGIONALLY accredited. I think that is what they meant. I asked my admissions adviser about this because I was also being discouraged by a lot of people (nurses/non-nurses) about Kaplan because they say it is not good since it is not accredited. My admissions counselor explained that Kaplan has a different accreditation (national) however it is indeed accredited which means that they adhere to a set of standards. Kaplan has changed since it became Kaplan; it used to be Maric College. I heard that Maric RN grads are terrible but I can't speak for them. Regarding the schools that will not take your credit: If you are planning to pursue your education at SDSU of course they will not transfer because they have a different accreditation. However there are a lot of online RN-BSN or RN to MSN programs that are also REGIONALLY accredited that will take Kaplan. You just have to do your research. Here are some examples: University of San Francisco RN-MSN (I applied there but not ready for MSN), Chamberlain College of Nursing (currently pursuing), Western Governors University, University of Texas at Arlington, Grand Canyon University, University of Louisiana and many more. The thing is as long as you have your RN license, they will take you. These schools mean business. Doesn't make them any less effective compared to traditional schools/community college. It's just a matter of preference.
2. Yes, there are some hospitals who are in the process of becoming magnet hospitals however, they can still hire you. It just depends on them. Like I said it is challenging to get an rn job in socal unless you're willing to move out of state. Or if you're picky. But let me tell you this. One of my very good friends in RN school was hired at the New grad program of Sharp Chula Vista Post Partum. She is currently an LND RN working on her MSN at UCSD. Another friend of mine got hired at LND Paradise Valley. I got hired after 2 months of looking at Promise Hospital Behavioral Health Unit (closed by now) and San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital. Another friend works in Eisenhower Hospital in Riverside. Long story short, most of my classmates got hired all over the place. Most of them at Sharp, some moved out of state. It has nothing to do with you being a Kaplan grad It has everything to do with your license and your overall experience, work ethics, resume, education background, etc. Also, as the old cliche says, it's who you know. But I never experienced any bias in hiring process because I'm from Kaplan. I've been turned down in some hospitals but if I'm not the one they're looking for, then I'm not the one. I still do hear people who tells me that Kaplan is not good. At the end of the day, I have an RN license and I can work as an RN.
3. I do recommend the RN program in Kaplan college San Diego. At that time I was in school, they had a high NCLEX pass rate. I don't know now since I haven't checked and I don't have time. I'm just writing this based on my experience. In fact, in my class, out of 35 people who took the NCLEX from my graduating class in Feb 2012, only 2 did not pass the first time. They took the test again later that year and passed. Kaplan uses KTP for NCLEX review and trust me, the questions there are much harder that the actual NCLEX. The program itself is fast paced, a lot of work, NOT easy, stressful most of the time, but like any other nursing program, it is doable as long as one is committed.
4. I sincerely ask that you consider Kaplan College. Before, it was easier to get in the program. However now, it is a lot harder. From what I hear from my friends who are currently in the RN or LVN program, Kaplan requires 6 months of CNA experience before getting in the RN program. For the LVN-RN program, you just need LVN license. Experience is not mandatory but is appreciated. This information came from a friend of mine who is currently in the Kaplan LVN program who is interested in the LVN-RN bridge program. Kaplan is a great school. Yes they are expensive but it is worth it. And personally, I'd rather go to Kaplan for 2 years than have to be put in a waiting list for 2-3 years with no guarantee of being accepted in the program. By then I would've wasted 2-3 years of my time, and time for me is money.
5. In conclusion, going to Kaplan is one of the best decisions I've made in my career. I still hear from my friends about they're distaste for my school but I do not mind. I have am RN license and they don't (although they also wanted to be RN's but decided to pursue Public Health because it's from National University, I'm just saying). I am pursuing my passion and a lot of opportunities have opened up for me since then. I encourage you to follow your heart and if at the end of the day, you decide that Kaplan or private school is not for you then I have nothing against it. Good luck and I welcome any comments, or anyone seeking advice, etc.
