Anyone attending Kaplan or Walden University?

KenAnderson · Sep 20, 2013

I had looked into both these a few years back but was under the impression, at least then, that they were not approved programs. Does this differ from state to state or are they more accepted now than they used to be? I was in Texas then, but am in Maine now.

rninme · Sep 20, 2013

I had looked into both these a few years back but was under the impression, at least then, that they were not approved programs. Does this differ from state to state or are they more accepted now than they used to be? I was in Texas then, but am in Maine now.

Call the BON in Augusta and ask. Frontier is approved in this state - I just had a friend graduate from that program. Not sure about Walden or Kaplan. There are a couple of FNP programs in Maine, and I decided to attend one of those vs online. Finished my BSN online but decided to go with the program that found preceptors for me!!!

shadower180 · Dec 2, 2013

any news about accreditation of Walden Univ msn-fnp in California. Will BRN let us take the National Certification? Please reply, anyone. I need your help

Ron

jla11 · Dec 4, 2013

Hi Ron

The CA BRN emailed me back when I asked them if Walden University is an approved online program for pursuing MSN for NP. They said "We do not accredit out of state/out of country schools." Also, after much research into the subject of approval vs. accreditation by our state of CA, I found out that if a program is accredited by the CCNE (meaning you can take the National Certification after graduation), and the program conforms to the CA Standards of Education (CCR 1484), and you hold a CA license, you will meet application requirements for NP certification by the BRN to practice in CA. I found this info on www.nursing-school-degrees.com/States/California-nurse-practictioner.html. Check it out. Hope all this helps you.

Nishacat03 · Dec 7, 2013

I would like to know how this applies to the state of Florida . Thanks for the research and sharing of information ...

JasWebbBSN-RN · Dec 22, 2013

I am an WALDEN student in the MSN/FNP program. I absolutely love it I work 3-12 hour shifts, no kids right now and I have a FT boyfriend, I have lots of time for myself as well. I spoke with my advisor about a week ago and she said that they have students on a waiting list and I better be glad that I was accepted, she's really nice, she calls me just to check on me. I know of no other school who does this. I am glad I have my spot. I plan on becoming a nurse pract. preceptor when I graduate school that wont be until December of 2014 though. You can take one clinical class however you can also take two clinical classes, I'm gonna take 2 so that I can get it done in December I have 7 classes left. it only my second quarter, that's another factor in applying for NP programs. do you like semester or quarter, WALDEN is on quarters, 3 months a quarter, I like this because some of the classes are boring and you finish them faster[/quote']
Just curious have you completed the degree program at Walden

hobbitrn · Apr 7, 2014

DO NOT go to Walden they do not support their students. I am currently a student at Walden University in the MSN/FNP program. I am up to the point of having to secure a clinical site/preceptor and having a great deal of difficulty. I have made several calls to the school (academic advisor, NP field training team) as well as sending emails to various people and not gotten any response let alone any assistance. I even tried to post a message on their FB page asking for help and it was immediately removed (it was not derogatory, simply asking for help). I did get a response to a private FB message with the name and email of someone I could voice my concerns to. I did email this person (on 3/30) and as expected I have not received a response. Unfortunately I am not the only MSN/FNP student having these difficulties. I am currently in the process of changing schools and many of my credits will not transfer, therefore I have wasted alot of time, effort, and my hard earned money. I have filed a written complaint with the school and am looking into the grievance process with the ANA and CCNE. Please contact me if you are one of the unfortunate MSN/FNP students in the same boat.

malenurse08 · May 14, 2014

I disagree fully with the above statement. Both my wife and I are current students at Walden and will graduate soon. As it is difficult to find preceptors and jump through the hoops of the paperwork, it is pretty clear. It is easier to find sites with connections, I have only been a nurse for 6 years and I have made many connections to do so. We enjoy the program, it is disheartening to see such negativity about multiple programs on here. Might just be the nurse??

hobbitrn · May 15, 2014

malenurse08 I'm glad to hear you and your wife have had good experiences with Walden. I am not the only one who has had issues with the lack of support from the school. I've had classmates that are having the same problem...can't get the school to even respond to them. So it is NOT the nurse(s), it's the school. I might also mention I have a 4.0 so I'm not a slacker student and I put a great deal of effort into my studies. I expect the same level of effort on the part of the school I am paying to attend. The way I finally got a response from them when I wrote a lengthy complain letter. It shouldn't have to come to that. My focus should be on my education not trying to get the school to respond. Again, I am glad to hear you & your wife have had a good experience.

ladygodiva112 · May 29, 2014

I haven't seen much mention about Kaplan University so I figured I would chime in. I started Kaplan University's Family Nurse Practitioner program in Sept 2012. The first year is basically spent taking research and theory courses. There are a lot more classes compared to an average university masters degree program over 100 credits compared to 40-55 in regular universities.

When I finally reached the important classes like advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, I was really disappointed in the lack of formal testing and the way I was learning in general. I know masters programs are different than undergrad, but I felt extremely under challenged. I felt like I was alone as I had to self-teach myself everything. There is no lecture or really even any guidance from the instructors. The curriculum is set and they just check to make sure you are posting on the discussion board. This form of learning may work for some, but I don't feel like I have enough experience (RN now for 4 years) to feel confident enough to self teach myself to become a nurse practitioner. The flexibility was really nice though. They structure the school week between Wed-Tue so that you still have you weekends to catch up.

After 45 credits, 1 year and 3 months, with still at least another 1.5 years left, I decided to apply to university FNP masters program in FL. It was a hard decision to make because I had to study for my GRE for about 3 months and basically start all over. I was so blessed to find out I got into University of Central Florida's Family Nurse Practitioner Program! I will be starting this fall. Hopefully this helps someone who is struggling to make the same decision.

ladygodiva112 · May 29, 2014

This is in reply to hobbitrn

I was in your same position. I was extremely disappointed with Kaplan Universities FNP program. I stopped after 1 year and 3 months, just one term shy of starting my clinicals. I got accepted to a local university's FNP program. I will loose a lot of my credits too but in the end, the support and higher level of learning I will receive is worth it.

ladygodiva112 · May 29, 2014

hobbitrn DO NOT go to Walden they do not support their students. I am currently a student at Walden University in the MSN/FNP program. I am up to the point of having to secure a clinical site/preceptor and having a great deal of difficulty. I have made several calls to the school (academic advisor, NP field training team) as well as sending emails to various people and not gotten any response let alone any assistance. I even tried to post a message on their FB page asking for help and it was immediately removed (it was not derogatory, simply asking for help). I did get a response to a private FB message with the name and email of someone I could voice my concerns to. I did email this person (on 3/30) and as expected I have not received a response. Unfortunately I am not the only MSN/FNP student having these difficulties. I am currently in the process of changing schools and many of my credits will not transfer, therefore I have wasted alot of time, effort, and my hard earned money. I have filed a written complaint with the school and am looking into the grievance process with the ANA and CCNE. Please contact me if you are one of the unfortunate MSN/FNP students in the same boat.