Kaplan FNP program

thankful2banurse · Oct 23, 2016

Hi Asteria984! I live in NC and have applied to Kaplan FNP. I hope to start Dec 2016. Have you started the program? if so, would you share your experience so far?

dazzlyn · Oct 23, 2016

I started Kaplan FNP on October 19th and being that it has only been a couple of days I cannot give a full perspective of the school, but one thing I can say is that it is a lot of reading and the one quiz I have taken thus far was difficult. With that being said I am truly not disappointed as I have read many posts that down the curriculum, but first hand, I can say this is no diploma mill as you must have a study plan and be dedicated to learn the information or I can see how easy it is to get behind.

Carolina Gal · Oct 24, 2016

I am a current student in the Kaplan FNP Program. I think the program is undergoing change (again) to comply with the consensus model so my experience may be different than yours. I have mixed feelings about the program. There are several things I like about the program. I needed the online format because I am a single parent and work full-time night shift. I don't have time for brick and mortar classes during the day. It also gives me the opportunity to work at my pace. Although Kaplan offers to sell you books through their website I have found it much cheaper to rent them from Campus Books or Amazon. I also like to puchase my books via Kindle so that I may carry them with me to study without having to tote heavy books. Kaplan has a great online library. Some of the early classes seemed a little "dumbed down" at first but in time I see it was really about learning to write and express ideas at the graduate level. It isn't until you get to the pathology class that you get into the medical based portion of education. I appreciate that the professors spent quite a bit of time helping you learn what resources are available for questions related to care needs and current practice guidelines.

Now the bad... Kaplan has no problem changing program requirements in mid-program. In my case it meant that clinical site options changed and an increased number of preceptors was required. Not good. A few times I believed I had purchased everything needed and once classes started I found there were more requirements. Kaplan now allows students to access each class a week before it begins so that helps, just make sure you are cutting it close to the wire financially because surprises do happen. A few people have mentioned recorded lectures. Since the beginning of my program there hasn't been a single lecture. Not one. Each unit consists of an introduction, suggested reading, and required reading. Students then post the assignment and comment on the posts of other students. There have been a few "seminars" but they aren't lectures about the material. It is truly a self study program. In general I have found the professors involvement to be cursory. There has been one exception but overall expect a few generic responses to discussion board posts.

My recommendations: Start finding preceptors now. I had to sit out a semester when a clinical site fell through at the last minute. Depending upon your area of the country providers may have a waiting list over a year long. This has been especially true for pediatric providers.

These are my opinions. I'm sure there are people who think Kaplan is absolutely awesome and others who believe it should be shut down. Prior to this I had no experience with graduate school and I have no experience with other online schools.

Hope it helps.