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Duke University School of Nursing is one of the top nursing schools in the country.
It was recently ranked the number seven school in the country by U.S. News and World
Report. Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, a city with a population
of just over 250,000 residents. The nursing school was established January 2nd, 1931
with an initial class of 24 diploma nursing students. Over the years, additional
degree programs were established and in 1958 Duke became one of the first schools
in the nation to offer a nursing graduate degree program.
Why Choose Duke University School of Nursing?
Duke University School of Nursing has a rich history of nursing education and innovation.
The nursing school currently occupies a state-of-the-art facility that was built in 2006,
uniting the nursing education and research programs at one location. The building houses
laboratory facilities, classrooms and auditorium spaces giving students a central location
for learning. Duke nursing students can practice clinical skills in the Center for Nursing
Discovery using life-like adult and pediatric mannequins to simulate real patient care.
Duke School of Nursing is committed to diversity. Men are typically underrepresented in
the nursing profession. Duke was recently named one the of the top nursing schools for
men by the American Assembly for Men in Nursing and hosts the Duke American Assembly for
Men in Nursing forum. It is important to attend an accredited nursing school. Duke
School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Admissions
Admission to Duke University School of Nursing is competitive at any level. The overall
acceptance rate at Duke University is 19 percent. All programs require an admission
application, official transcripts, a letter of recommendation, personal essay and GRE
test scores. The need for GRE test scores may be waived for those students with an
undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher, except for applicants to the nurse anesthesia program.
In addition to the above requirements, applicants to the accelerated BSN program must hold
a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum GPA of 3.0. MSN students must
have a BSN degree from an accredited college or university and a valid nursing license.
PhD and DNP applicants must hold a BSN or MSN from an accredited school, have a minimum
GPA of 3.0 and a valid nursing license.
Degrees and Specializations
Duke School of Nursing boasts a large selection of nursing degrees. Duke does not offer
the traditional bachelor of nursing (BSN) degree. Instead, the school offers an accelerated
BSN program for students who already hold a degree in a non-nursing field, but would like
to pursue a second career in nursing. The program is campus-based and can be completed in
16 months. Duke offers a variety of masters of science in nursing (MSN) degree programs.
Degree focuses include nurse practitioner, non-clinical specializations and nurse anesthesia.
Nurse practitioner sub-specialties include adult/gerontology, family, gerontology, acute care,
pediatric and neonatal tracks. Some nurse practitioner specialties are eligible for the
distance education program, with students coming to campus only once or twice a semester.
Non-clinical master's degree options include nurse and healthcare leadership, nursing
education and nurse informatics. Duke offers two doctoral degree programs, the Doctor
of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The DNP degree has three
different pathways to earn the degree including BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP and PhD to DNP.
The DNP degree is a distance education program, with only 11 to 15 days required on campus
for the entire program. The remainder of the program in completed through online coursework
and clinical experiences that are arranged locally.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Duke is a private research university. Tuition and fees are the same for all students,
independent of residence status. Tuition and fees for the accelerated BSN program are
$55,178 for the entire program, not including room and board, book or supplies. Tuition
for the graduate programs varies by specialty. Tuition for the nurse anesthesia program
is $39,274 for the 1st year and $32,777 for the 2nd year with a total program tuition of
$72,051, not including room and board, books or supplies. Tuition for the MSN programs
can vary. Credits are $1,358 individually. Several of the MSN specialties require
completion of 45 credits for a cost of $61,110 not including fees, room and board,
books or supplies. Tuition for the DNP program is $29,040 for the 1st year and $19,494
the second year for a total program tuition of $48,534 not including room and board,
books or supplies.
Duke University School of Nursing provides its students with generous financial aid
options. More than 80 percent of nursing students at Duke receive financial aid including
scholarships based on need or academic performance and loans. The Duke University Scholars
Program covers 100 percent of tuition costs and is awarded to one nursing student at any
degree level based on a competitive application process. Duke also offers other nursing
scholarships that are merit or needs based. Duke offers a tuition reimbursement program
and post-graduate employment opportunities for graduates of their degree programs that
choose to work within the top-ranked Duke University Health System. Other funding options
include state and federal programs including traineeships and the NURSE Corps Loan
Repayment Program.
Duke University School of Nursing has a rich heritage and strong reputation in nursing
education. With a wide variety of degree programs and specialization options, students
are able to pursue the nursing career of their choosing. Duke nursing students have the
advantage of excellent clinical sites to practice their nursing skills within Duke
University Health System. Additionally, Duke will employ its graduates within the Duke
University Health System and offers loan repayment, something few other universities
offer. As one of the top nursing schools in the country, Duke University should be given
strong consideration by any potential nursing student.
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