Kaplan San Diego ADN Program

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

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.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Kaplan also has amazing instructors. I can say they genuinely care about their student's success not only in the program but also in the nursing field.

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Thank you for this. I am looking to start the LVN-RN in September at Kaplan San Diego. I took my LVN elsewhere, and all I've heard is negativity about Kaplan. But it's good to hear from someone who has actually gone through the program that it's worth it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

While Kaplan is an accredited college it is NOT nursing accredited. There are certain Kaplan schools that are APPROVED by the state BON to allow these grads to sit for NCLEX in THAT state. The education may not travel with you state to state as a nationally accredited NURSING accredited program will allow you to do.

They are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). NOT by the nursing accreditation boards.

There are two national organizations that accredit nursing programs, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) if you decide to seek an advanced degree you will have difficulty transferring your credits. If you are looking to ever move you may run into issues when you apply for endorsement in another state.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

You are welcome! Good luck on your journey towards your nursing career. We (my classmates and I) were all approved by the BRN to sit for the NCLEX without problems. I never had a hard time looking for a school who will accept my Kaplan background to pursue higher education.And those schools are CCNE accredited and regionally accredited. You just have to do your own research and figure out what's best for you regardless of what everyone says. I have an active California RN license issued by the BRN as of now. Good luck again!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Right in YOUR state YOU were approved by YOUR state to sit for boards in THAT state. If you leave that state you might expereince issues. I'm not saying Kaplan is good or bad. I'm just stating a fact they ARE NOT accredited by the nationally recognized NURSING accrediting body. They are individually APPROVED by each state for sit for boards in THAT state ONLY.

In your one year of experience you have not encountered difficulty that does not mean that at some point you might. I never said you can't find a school I said it might be difficult.

What schools have you applied to?

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Hi rnlicious, I'm currently an lvn student and I want to find an rn program school with no waiting list and campus learning based. I'm a veteran and tuition is not a problem to me. I'm using my post 911 gi bill.

I've been looking for school like Southwestern, City College, ,Grossmont, Miracosta, National University, etc. but they have point system amd u need to be extra extra competitive.

I will keep kaplan as one of my top option.

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Thank u for posting this i have been looking for info on Kaplan but couldn't find anything IM applying for the lvn program in Sep, Congrats on your success!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
Thank u for posting this i have been looking for info on Kaplan but couldn't find anything IM applying for the lvn program in Sep, Congrats on your success!

Thank you and good luck to you as well! I'm happy that my experience shed some light on your research/ career decisions.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Thank you and good luck to you as well! I'm happy that my experience shed some light on your research/ career decisions.
How much is Kaplan College's tuition?
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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
How much is Kaplan College's tuition?

Hi,

When I was enrolled the program cost approx. $55k including prerequisites. I had most of my prereqs except for a&up and sociology so I was able to get my cost down. At the same time I am a military veteran so I was entitled to discount. Also I used my GI bill. I still had to take out a loan since GI bill does not cover everything for me. I am not sure how much the whole program costs by now.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
Thank u for posting this i have been looking for info on Kaplan but couldn't find anything IM applying for the lvn program in Sep, Congrats on your success!

Hi Yajaira21,

I'm sorry for not responding sooner. I've been busy taking care of my baby. Regarding the wonderlic, is it the short test (I think around 10-15 min test) that you take first thing before getting admitted? I've taken the test but honestly I don't remember what's on the test since it's been so long (2009). I took that test before I took the teas test to get in the RN program though. But don't worry, even the admission counselor who took care of me said the test normally doesn't make sense, and most of the time nobody ever finishes the test. They normally have you test to see if you qualify for their RN or LVN program. Sometimes if you score high they might encourage you to do the RN program instead. But that's according to my friend who's currently doing the LVN program in Kaplan (due to graduate this October). It's still up to you to decide what program you want.

I hope I answered your questions. I apologize if I can't tell you much since LVN program is not my "forte" :-). I encourage you to set up an appointment with an admissions counselor. Good luck and hope to see you in the nursing field soon!

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