Kentucky Christian university

NurseSugar · Feb 27, 2020

I spent quite a while on the phone with the dean of the nursing school at KCU yesterday discussing the FNP program. After a lot of research And speaking with several schools, I’ve applied here as my 1st choice (Carson Newman is second). The program is “intentionally small” to give personal attention.

The coursework is 100% online over 7 semesters. The college has done online programs since 2012. They are about to graduate their 5th online FNP cohort. Board pass rates are 95 to 96%. Courses are one at a time and vary in length from 4wks to 14 wks (most are 8-9). So same amount of work as two courses at once just different format. There is an optional on-campus intensive. They have interactive classes at times like test review but record them for those that can’t login.

Clinicals are over two semesters (528 hrs which is less than many other programs). It averages out to about 18/hr per week for 30 weeks. (In contrast, C-N has 5/wk for 15 weeks, 12/wk for 30 weeks, 15/wk for 15 weeks which is 660 total)... so they compact the clinical portion and don’t require as many hours. Nice for working student parents! And apparently KY BON requires all KY schools to provide clinical placement. So they ask you to be collaborative with them but they are ultimately responsible for placing you.

Also you don’t have to be religious to attend the graduate programs (however, undergrad degrees from the schools all include a minor in bible studies).

They aren’t ranked in the top schools nationally, but the personal attention if needed and the format of the program have made them stand out to me. I’ll update if I get in! They only accept 22 students per cohort.

Hope this helps others!

Katrina S, BSN, RN · May 30, 2021

Did you get in to KCU? If yes how is the program?

NurseSugar · May 30, 2021

Hi Katrina

Yes, In couple weeks I will be halfway done with the course work. One more half and then Clinicals. I think it’s a good program! The format for classes works well for my schedule. It’s challenging but doable. The small class size is nice. The instructors typically even give you their cell phone number. They are helpful, responsive and kind and seem to really want you to succeed. Bioethics was hard because the book was trash but just push through it and the “real” content comes soon. ? They do meetings via Google hangouts and tests are proctored by a company called Examity. There isn’t a charge for the proctoring. So far the books have been pretty inexpensive. One was $100 but most used have been under $20. I would recommend the program. Their last cohort had a 100% pass the boards.

Katrina S, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2021

Awesome! Thanks for responding :). I got accepted and I start this coming fall. I’ve already registered for classes and was noticing that the books don’t look too expensive. I’ve even found some cheaper on Amazon. I’m super excited and it’s great to hear their pass rate last year was 100% that’s very encouraging. The admission process has been wonderful and smooth and it looks like it will continue that way throughout the program. I wasn’t sure how vigorous the program was so I’m going to work PRN and work full time hours unless I need to scale back any. I can’t wait to get started. Oh I know they do assist with the clinical location and they’re required to find placement, but I was curious about finding places in your local area. Have you been making any calls to help assist them or do you just give them a general idea if the places you’re interested in? I was just thinking maybe I should get the ball rolling sooner than later LOL.

Katrina

NurseSugar · Jul 16, 2021

Finding preceptors is a huge issue... they have a lecture about obtaining preceptors... then if you say you can’t they will start looking for you. I’ve called about 50 so far and haven’t had much luck. There are just so many programs and students and not enough clinical sites. Some sites are still saying they are on hold r/t covid which is annoying... So if you have connections you will definitely want to use them and try to find placement on your own!
I work full time and have two kids 100% of the time alone. One has special needs. I can still manage the course work so you will be fine. Once clinicals start will probably have to drop hours. Happy to help if you want to connect more!
Rachel

Katrina S, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2021

We just moved back to KY from Texas so I have limited connections here, so hopefully I’ll make some while I’m working. I’m definitely going to put feelers out…I’m not able to PM because I haven’t reached my post quota LOL but thank you for the contact info. I’ll definitely reach out once classes start. By the way where are you located? I chose KCU when I was in Texas and we just happened to move back to KY.

RN Looking for FNP · Jun 29, 2022

Nurse Sugar, How far are you in the program? Are you about done? Thanks

NurseSugar · Aug 18, 2022

Katrina, how is the program going?

I have all the classwork in and about 240 clinical hours. I'm in Carmel, IN just north of Indianapolis. So here's some more things I learned that are good perks of KCU. They pay for the Fitzgerald Video review course. And you don't have pay to use Typhon (clinical hour entry software) or Castlebranch (Tracks your preclinical stuff like vaccines) which some programs make you do. And we got a practice suture mat at our Clinical Orientation Weekend (Knights of the Roundtable). I have 4 months left! Yay!

I did end up finding preceptors for all my clinicals. If you are in KY, the school will be able to help you more! They are connected locally - largely through Kings Daughter (I think?). The mom of one of my daughter's friends is an NP so she gave me a rotation and some people to reach out to, which got me a peds preceptor. A coworker asked a friend to take me for a specialty rotation. I reached out to HR at some more rural hospitals and was sure to follow-up with emails to practice managers if their emails were included in the address list. That got me the rest of my preceptors. And my employer has a preceptor matching application... so got a preceptor closer through them -- and was able to hook my friend up with the more rural preceptor since she had not found primary care or womens health. The more rural areas have more practices that see peds, adults, and do women's health which means possibly having one preceptor for all those hours... then you just need one other person for a specialty rotation which is much easier to find. Hope it's going well!

RN Looking for FNP · Aug 18, 2022

How are the exams?