Kaplan college in San Diego RN program

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Hi, I will be starting the RN program with Kaplan as soon as we relocate. My husband's in the Military so the wait lists at other colleges turned me away from them.

Do any of you go to Kaplan? If so, how did it work out for the student loans and stuff , I am confused. It seems as if tuition is around 45000 for the couple years of the program. I am eligible for the pell grant and the military grant of 3000 per year. But would the loans be able to cover everything else since it's a vocational school more than a traditional college? Thanks!

Specializes in Emergency.

Tuition for the RN program is roughly $50k, it includes books and uniforms. If you take all the pre-requisites you will get $1k discount per course that is transferred over. However, the actual nursing courses there are about 16 months, so only 8 months shorter than the JC for the nursing curriculum. So, you'd have to add your time it takes to do your gen ed requirements on top of that and figure out how long it'd take you if time is your motivation. If you do the pre-reqs with Kaplan, it's 24 months from start to finish. I can't really tell you what is better, you have to do what is better for you. They will also require that you have 6 months of prior medical experience OR a 4 year university degree in order to get into the program. It has to be one or the other. If you have neither, they may try to sell you on their CNA or MA program.

I will be starting in the Jan 2010 class, and have met with the Director of Nursing who seems extremely professional. It's quite a different environment once you get past admissions. I was even given a packet about their nursing faculty. They are all MSN, or NPs, experienced and knowledgeable.

Just do your research, look into all options and do what is best for you. I know the $$ seems like a lot, but there is financial aid and gov't loans. Once you become an RN and are making a good paycheck, paying them off shouldn't be a problem.

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hi,

from my understanding, Kaplan has just increased their cost to around $61,000...so, if you aren't in to much of a hurry, I would advise you to take your pre-req's at a local community college. You can finish them faster by enrolling in the short term classes. If it's difficult for you to get into the required sciences, I would say to take the science courses at National University since they are shorter in duration and the classes would be transferrable anywhere if you decide to further your education in the future. The cost of the science classes in generally the same, but you would be done in half the time.

Good luck to you.

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Hello

I was just wondering if anyone knows if Kaplan offers night only courses for the RN program? I work full time and have not been able to find night programs without long waiting lists. Any information someone can give me would be great.

Thanks!

ash

i know this is a late reply...but the RN program is primarily days that can go into nights...the LVN program offers a night program...

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Yes, work experience IS mandatory! You must have the min. 6 months medical experience, and it's very difficult getting into a hospital position right now. I've been trying for the past 4 months or so. Good luck.

i have to correct you in this regard since i personally know someone with absolutely no medical experience that happened to get into the program...i don't know how it happened, but it did....

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Specializes in Emergency.
hi,

from my understanding, Kaplan has just increased their cost to around $61,000...

No, it's still about $50k. I am starting in 2 weeks and just came from a financial aid appointment.

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Specializes in Emergency.
i have to correct you in this regard since i personally know someone with absolutely no medical experience that happened to get into the program...i don't know how it happened, but it did....

I am one of those people. I was told that if you don't have medical experience they will take a Bachelor's Degree in place, which I have so that's how it happened for me.

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No, it's still about $50k. I am starting in 2 weeks and just came from a financial aid appointment.

nice to know...since that was what i heard at my last clinical...happy studying...i actually should be studying right now but i have major senioritis...

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I am one of those people. I was told that if you don't have medical experience they will take a Bachelor's Degree in place, which I have so that's how it happened for me.

the girl i know didn't have the bachelor's degree either...many of us were actually suprised when we found out in class

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Specializes in Emergency.
nice to know...since that was what i heard at my last clinical...happy studying...i actually should be studying right now but i have major senioritis...

haha, I know how that can be. How did you like the program there? What's the schedule like once school gets started? I only need to take the science pre-reqs and that silly nurs100 course for study skills? LOL

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haha, I know how that can be. How did you like the program there? What's the schedule like once school gets started? I only need to take the science pre-reqs and that silly nurs100 course for study skills? LOL

I really don't have much to complain about in regards to the program. The schedule is all over the place, but they warn you about that from the beginning. For instance, I had Sunday clinicals during my 2nd semester. During this final semester, we had lectures going from 9am-7pm (3 classes, with supposedly 1 hour breaks in between). Do what is required of you, and you should do fine. Like right now, I really should be writing a paper. I'm almost tempted not to turn it in since I'll still get a decent grade in the class without it, but to scared of what the teacher could do if I don't do it.....like give me an incomplete.

Overall, I would have to say that I can't wait to get out of there...but the experience has not been a bad one for me..except for the fact that I wish I was like a majority of my classmates who didn't have to work while going to school...thank goodness i made it through without failing anything...i don't know if i would have made it another semester...i'm just so tired...

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it's almost like the class was made up...lol...

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yeah, I am so worried that the course load will be too crazy. They told me I'll be taking A&P with in a month's time? That's just INSANE! I'm gonna loose my head I think. haha.

What color scrubs do the RN students wear? Every time I am there I see like a rainbow and I don't know how to decode it. haha.

But, yeah. I had my meeting with the DON and have been warned of the all over the place last minute schedules, which is fine. I can handle that. I am fortunate enough to have my husband to pay for all my living expenses and whatnot. So, that will be in my benefit I am sure.

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