Accelerated BSN - UNC vs Duke

U.S.A. North Carolina

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Hi all! I'm new here. :) I'm a Chapel Hill resident who has applied to both UNC-CH and Duke for their accelerated BSN programs. I have been accepted to Duke and am waiting to hear back from Carolina. My goal is to work in pediatrics as an advanced practice nurse. I have a special interest in working with kids with developmental disabilities. Eventually, I aspire to earn my PhD and go into research and teaching.

I'm having trouble deciding between the schools (assuming that I'm lucky enough to get into UNC!) Is there anyone else here who has made this decision? Which school did you choose and why?

I really, really liked Duke's program when I went to visit for Duke days. However, UNC would be MUCH cheaper as a NC resident (we're talking $15K vs $50K for the program.) I'm single, so I'll be supporting myself on student loans alone and I'm already $15K in debt from undergraduate degree #1. I've been eye-balling the tuition payback programs at both universities and UNC's binding contract makes me nervous, especially since I'd be signing it without knowing where I might end up working. However... it would save me about $25K.

If anyone else here made this decision, what factored into your decision making? Are you satisfied with your choice? (I know that everyone's experiences will differ, but I'd love to hear your stories.)

Thank you all so much!

I've had experience in both programs and from that this is a no brainer. The Duke BSN screws their students out of their money and time with needless busy work and teachers who are good researchers, but not so good teachers...

Anyone would be out of there mind to choose Duke over UNC, unless they wanted to have the national name recognition of Duke on their resume. That said thee are some impressive things at Duke including the new building, but in the BSN program I can gaurantee your life will be a living hell.

Specializes in none.

Carolinapooh,

I found your post online regarding the UNC vs. Duke question and I was hoping you could answer some questions for me. Also, I welcome any comments/advice from anyone.

I am a 35 yr old, married mother of two, who holds a BS in Zoology. I too graduated Cum Laude. I decided to go into nursing about four years ago and started the process last year. I have been volunteering at Wake Med for almost a year and attending Durham Tech fulfilling my pre-reqs.

I have been having a hard time deciding to which programs to apply. My end goal at this point is to become a CRNA, yet I know that it is a possibility that may change. So, with that in mind, I had three gameplans in front of me:

1) obtain my ADN from Durham Tech and if necessary, convert my RN to a BSN via online classes while working for two years, as required by the CRNA program

2) apply to UNC for either the BSN or ABSN programs

3) apply to the ABSN program at Duke

Recently I eliminated applying to UNC as an option. I had been hearing different opinions regarding the program for a couple of years and a couple of weeks ago I had an oppportunity to talk with an ABSN student and she confirmed my concerns.

Now that leaves me with Duke or Durham Tech. My biggest concerns are:

1) I want to go to a school where I obtain a really good hands on clinical experience, not just the theoretical side of things. What are your thoughts on Duke's clinical experience?

2) I do have two children: a ten year old boy and an almost nine year old girl. Would I still be able to exist in my chidren's lives and still do well if I went to Duke?

3) You mention the reimbursement program. Yes, I know I can probably look this up online somewhere, but I thought I would ask anyway : )......did I understand you correctly that Duke provides $11,000 reimbursement for every year worked for them? If that is true, then that would be about five years to pay down that roughly $52k. WOW!

It is so funny, but I wonder if we are married to the same man as my husband has really been pushing for me to apply to Duke. Even though I know that I want to go into nursing as I have done some pretty serious soul searching over the years, have been volunteering, and took the CNAI course as a self-test, nothing can prepare you for the real thing. If I go to Durham Tech and I find that I really just do not enjoy nursing, then I would not have lost much financially. If I go to Duke and that happens, OUCH! I know that it would not be the nursing itself that would bother me, as I love patient care/interaction, I just worry about the other well known cons to the field. Also, I have to admit, I am a bit intimidated by having to take the GRE : ) Even though I am in my second semester of pre-reqs, I am still brushing cobwebs out of my brain and trying to remember things that have long been pushed to the back of my mind, or completely out of my head.

I really do appreciate any and all feedback as I need to make a decision on which way to go. If I apply to Duke, I need to take the GRE this fall.

Thank you for your time!

Hi guys! I'm just starting the ABSN program at UNC tomorrow! My expected graduation date is May 2012. Also, if anyone has questions about the application process of either Duke or UNC, I would be happy to help, as I went through the process and was accepted by both. :-)

Congrats to all of you that were accepted, how are things going?

to YOGI MEL

I am interested in applying to ABSN for UNC .how do you like so far? is it a good program? and any other advice would be great.

Thank

Hi guys! I'm just starting the ABSN program at UNC tomorrow! My expected graduation date is May 2012. Also, if anyone has questions about the application process of either Duke or UNC, I would be happy to help, as I went through the process and was accepted by both. :-)

YOGI MEL

I am interested in applying to the ABSN program at UNC .how do you like so far? is it a good program? and any other advice would be great.

Thank

Yogi Mel,

I'm starting at UNC for the ABSN in January 2012! Yay! (I'm so pumped lol...) So how are you liking it so far? What are your class and clinical schedules like? Do you work? Do you live on or off campus? How are the professors?

Sorry for all the questions....I'm just so excited and honored to be going! :) Hope you're loving it!

yogi mel,

what were your stats like to get into both of those programs? did u have volunteer / work experience in healhcare? I'm 21, a recent college grad with a BA in psychology, 3.7 cumulative gpa.. will prob have A's and B's in the pre-reqs by the time i apply.. minimal volunteer experience in a hospital.. also im an out-of-stater.. do u think im a good candidate?? im nervous :(

Hi all. It was good to hear the feedback from both Duke and UNC admittes. I was reading prereqs and I am a little concerned about having to complete certain classes within a seven year time period. I am a practicing Respiratory Therapist and have been one for 26 yrs.. so some of my anatomy classes were that long ago. I can't see how they can limit some one who is working in a clinical enviroment.

Has anyone heard of or had this type of dilema?

Any input would be appreciated.

For the anatomy and physiologies and probably some of the other required labs with a time limit...look into hybrid classes. I took one of my A&Ps as a hybrid and loved it (and am taking a microbiology that way this summer). I learned the class part myself along with keeping up with discussion board assignments and just went to a weekly lab which made my schedule very flexible.

Helloe everyone. I'm new to this board and this will be my first time posting. I currently live in Miami and planning to move to North Carolina in the beginninf of the coming year. I have been looking into different RN to BSN programs offered throughout the state and I'm having difficulty choosing the right one. I currently hold an ASN and this semester I'm taking the last of the prerequisites for a BSN program. I will also obtain my AA by December. My long term goal is to become a CRNA. To those of you that are residents in the state of NC and have knowledge of the different programs available for a person with my credentials I would greatly appreciate any advice. From what I've read UNC is more difficult to get into than Duke but isless expensive. I was looking into UNC at Greensboro because Chapel Hill no longer offers RN to BSN and they don't have an Anesthesia program. The Duke ASBN program will only allow you to get in if you hold a BA in any other minor which I don't so I think that maybe if I obtain my BSN somewhere else I can apply to their CRNA program later on. How about Watts, Durham Tech or NCCU?

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