[sirI]

I wish you good luck with whatever you decide, NativeSundance.

Yes, please keep us up-to-date.

[cmo421]

Originally Posted by NativeSundance

Thanks for your responses! I was pretty sure that was all just a bunch of hooey, so didn't panic when she told me that. I just talked to them yesterday and already today there is a message on the machine from them. I gave them my alternate number (we have two phone lines) so I wouldn't be bothered all the time on my phone line that actually rings. She wanted my cell number and also my work number which I declined giving her.

I ordered the book by Virginia Lynch from Amazon this morning that Kaplans uses. I am likely to start their program soon. I wish I could talk to ANYONE who has gone through the program, but have not had success thus far. One little concern I have is #9 on the contract one has to sign with Kaplans that states they can change the course version at any time with only 90 days notice and that we as students may then have to retake some portions of the program and retest and possibly purchase more books etc. Wouldn't be overly crazy about revisiting ground already traveled to redo it all. Also concerned regarding the weird pressure tactics they use to get you to enroll. Obviously students are interested or they wouldn't be calling. The whole interrogation to see if they will "accept" you as a student is ridiculous. I feel nearly certain that ANYONE who calls expressing an interest is "accepted". Also, I'm not sure about their accreditation. It's from a company I've not heard of before. I was expecting NLN or something.

If I do enroll in this program, as I probably will (for a variety of reasons not the least of which is that I'm a night shifter and it is difficult for me to be awake and intelligent during the day when regular schools operate), I will post in this thread regularly so that all who follow behind me and wonder what the Kaplan program is REALLY like will be able to read of my first hand experience and have a good idea of what they are getting into before signing on the dotted line.

I just received the same book from amazon . Also picked up a book on the medical record as forensic evidence, interesting read.
Check with your local BBB on Kaplans, I did. They have had 40 something complainys in the last 18mths and have only resolved 21. They are not a "member" of the BBB either. They grad. over 2300 last year, so I guess the statistics are not that bad. Good Luck!

[NativeSundance]

I didn't think to check with the BBB. Good idea! I called them again yesterday with some questions that came up as I was really looking through their site, but haven't heard back from them. I called during business hours, but had to leave a message. Later in the day, I get a (generic form letter) email from the woman I spoke with a few days ago telling me I hadn't completed the application process or signed my enrollment agreement. Sigh...

If you ever listen to Coast to Coast AM, tonight's program is featuring the writing team of Jefferson Bass speaking to Ian Punnett about their work and their infamous "body farm" in Tennessee. Since I am a night shifter and am usually awake all night anyways, I'll be glued to the radio! Thankfully, I'm off tonight.

[NativeSundance]

Well, the interview on C2C was only okay. It would have been better if Ian would have kept quiet and let the guest talk. Also, Bill Bass was not on..only Jon Jefferson. He was an interesting guest though and worth the listen. I admit it...I went to Amazon and bought every one of their books!

I've been talking with the good folks at ACFEI the last two days and they have convinced me to take the CMI-111 certification exam as well. Ordered another book through Amazon: "Forensic Investigation Handbook: An Introduction To The Collection, Preservation, Analysis, And Presentation Of Evidence" by Michael Karagiozis. This is the book (along with Virginia Lynch's) that they use for CMI certification. They use Lynch's book for CFN certification.

I believe I will enroll in Kaplan tomorrow. Spoke with them today about some more of my concerns regarding their program. She was a little prickly about me asking her some of my questions, but too bad. It's MY $3,495.00 and I want to feel fairly certain about what I can expect in return for my investment. I think the program will be good basic introductory information upon which to build as I go along in my pursuit of forensics.

ACFEI tells me that more nurses seem to want the CMI certifiication than the CFN. Not sure why that would be. But I'm going to do that certification as well and I'll keep you all posted on what it's all about.

Sure wish there was SOMEONE out there who has taken the Kaplan program that can speak to it's value. I know ACFEI accepts the certificate that is issued from Kaplan upon successful completion for their 40 hr scholastic requirement.

[sirI]

Just wanted to wish you good luck with all your plans.

[cmo421]

Originally Posted by NativeSundance

Well, the interview on C2C was only okay. It would have been better if Ian would have kept quiet and let the guest talk. Also, Bill Bass was not on..only Jon Jefferson. He was an interesting guest though and worth the listen. I admit it...I went to Amazon and bought every one of their books!

I've been talking with the good folks at ACFEI the last two days and they have convinced me to take the CMI-111 certification exam as well. Ordered another book through Amazon: "Forensic Investigation Handbook: An Introduction To The Collection, Preservation, Analysis, And Presentation Of Evidence" by Michael Karagiozis. This is the book (along with Virginia Lynch's) that they use for CMI certification. They use Lynch's book for CFN certification.

I believe I will enroll in Kaplan tomorrow. Spoke with them today about some more of my concerns regarding their program. She was a little prickly about me asking her some of my questions, but too bad. It's MY $3,495.00 and I want to feel fairly certain about what I can expect in return for my investment. I think the program will be good basic introductory information upon which to build as I go along in my pursuit of forensics.

ACFEI tells me that more nurses seem to want the CMI certifiication than the CFN. Not sure why that would be. But I'm going to do that certification as well and I'll keep you all posted on what it's all about.

Sure wish there was SOMEONE out there who has taken the Kaplan program that can speak to it's value. I know ACFEI accepts the certificate that is issued from Kaplan upon successful completion for their 40 hr scholastic requirement.

Good Luck, I start in January myself,let us know how u do. Good resourse book also, THE MEDICAL RECORD, A FORENSIC RESOURSE
It is also on amazon.

[NativeSundance]

Are you taking a NURSING forensic program at your local college? If so, is it a masters program? I am told by Kaplan and ACFEI and even IAFN that the certificate programs for forensics are all online, but that general forensic education (masters level) is available at brick and mortar schools.

I wish there was a college near me where I could take the classes in person, but there isn't. I also am awake and alert during the night when those same professors are at home sleeping, so going to a conventional classroom is out of the question for me right now. I've worked nights for 24 years and LOVE it!

I ordered the book you referenced above about the medical record. Amazon is LOVING me right now! I've bought alot from them recently!

I hope you'll keep us posted on all the details of your class when it starts in January. I'll be looking forward to hearing about it!

Siri, what kind of certification did you get for forensics? Was it taught in your masters program or did you have to get forensic training elsewhere? Have you taken either the CMI or CFN exam? If so, was it worth it in your career choices? Do you think it is helpful? If you didn't get those certifications, why did you choose not to? I'm still trying to figure all this out and see what is the most valuable approach for me to take. My goal is to remain in the ER setting (which I love...certified trauma junkie here!), but to improve my knowledge in handling all the shootings, stabbings, MVA's, beatings, horrible child/spousal/elder abuse and so forth I see every night. We don't do SANE things in the ER...there is a seperate facility close-by that handles sexual assault, so SANE certification is not that important for me. It seems that IAFN deals with SANE almost exclusively, although I'm not sure why. Maybe because forensic nurses are not really utilized in any other capacity in most settings?

[cmo421]

The certificate program near me is 90% online with three mandatory campus meetings. Then the internship before u can take the certification. They also offer a master program that is 80 caampus,maybe a future thing for me. It is also almost 2000 cheaper then Kaplans. So it works for me. I will let u know. Good luck and thanks!

[NativeSundance]

Originally Posted by cmo421

The certificate program near me is 90% online with three mandatory campus meetings. Then the internship before u can take the certification. They also offer a master program that is 80 caampus,maybe a future thing for me. It is also almost 2000 cheaper then Kaplans. So it works for me. I will let u know. Good luck and thanks!

What certification will you receive? A certificate of course completion like Kaplan provides, or something else like SANE?

Well, I did it. I enrolled in the Kaplan forensic program. I got $100.00 off for paying the full tuition up front. Should be an interesting ride! I'll keep you posted!

[NativeSundance]

I signed up with Kaplan a few days ago. The cost is $3,495.00 for the 12 month program and you must complete it within these 12 months. You get $100.00 off the cost of the program if you pay the entire balance up front. This is what I did. You also have several payment plan options, but of course you will pay for that priviledge in the way of finance charges.

On Friday, someone from "student services" called to congratulate me for enrolling in the Forensic program and to answer any questions I may have. He left me his contact info in case I needed anything at all. I also received several emails from Kaplan with information about the program and further contact info in case of questions or problems. They either 1) really care about your student experience, or 2) have had alot of problems with their online program and have had to go over the top in getting out contact info to keep people enrolled in the classes.

I am on my first class now which has 9 units. You must complete all assignments within each unit and pass the quiz in order to move on to the next unit. The questions on the quiz are ridiculously simplistic and could be answered by a 2 yr old. The whole classroom structure is fairly user friendly. No problems getting around to the different assignments. It is dificult to use the message boards for each unit (which they constantly encourage you to use) because it operates at a snails pace. I wait a very long time for the message board to load, and I have a high speed cable connection! Trying to access this program and especially the message board using dial up would be extremely difficult and time consuming.

I am concerned that the quiz and test questions are too simplistic. Like they dumbed it down. Certainly everyone taking the class is college educated and bright. Not sure why it is ridiculously simple. This one feature alone may cause the program in general to lack credibility among their forensic peers and those who offer certification exams. I know ACFEI accepts Kaplan cetificates for their CFN exam requirements. We shall see as time goes by if this class gets up to the college level at some point.

The reading and assignments are interesting and I am learning alot. Things that I can start putting into practice right now! I'll keep you all posted as I go along through the Kaplan Forensic program.