ABSN Duke Fall 2010

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Hi All!

I have decided to take the plunge and leave my career as a mental health therapist to gain a BSN in Nursing and hopefully move straight into MSN program. Is anyone else applying to Duke in the Fall??:yeah:

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Our favorite person mentioned that I could use unofficials for now, so I'm going to send those to her now. It was just a rather... :eek: way to start the day. I hadn't even had my coffee yet!

(I wonder sometimes if she or anyone else at the school watches threads like this and matches screen names to real names...)

Twois,

I hate to hear about your transcripts. I had the same drama with one of mine. I faxed and unoffical, then burned up the phone lines to the University who were supposed to have sent it WEEKS ago. This stress is crazy and I agree, the Universe loves to throw me a curve ball or two...daily...

I also wondered if people at Duke are reading this thread. I'm sure we have all been good for a few laughs!

I have been VERY careful to disguise my name. ha

Specializes in Neuro ICU.
I have been VERY careful to disguise my name. ha

I wouldn't worry about it either way... everyone here has been very supportive of each other, helpful, kind, respectful, etc etc... and if we stress out a little bit, hey, we're human, too. :)

Twois! I am so glad you have a fix for the transcript snafu, but what a stressful way to start the day :bugeyes: If it makes you feel any better, vent away - apparently no one's watching! Our favorite person told me awhile back that they're aware of the networking sites, but they've never checked them out. They leave them to the students.

Unless of course they've changed their minds, in which case I'd just like to give a shout out to everyone in the admissions office!

I too have used a very special crypted name that I am sure no one could ever encode hahaha.

I'm with you kebunt. Shout out to all my peeps a SON Admissions office...what, whaaat! haha.

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

So while we're all in a holding pattern, here's something to discuss... what drew you all to Duke? Especially given the extraordinary expense of the program... what makes it worth it for you?

For me... I've ALWAYS had a soft spot for the school, as I spent four summers there as a kid at what I affectionately call "nerd camp." I got accepted out of HS as a freshman but the expense deterred me from accepting a spot. But, through the years I've kept up with Duke and the research, etc coming out of the school, especially related to health care, as I've always wanted to get into the field. It was a no-brainer when I decided to find an ABSN program after my BA.

I'm so impressed with their dedication to finding good *people* for nursing, not just good test-takers and perfect students... the research coming out of the school and the faculty and facilities are really top notch... I LOVE the research/Spanish tracks... I feel like I'll be able to pursue, to some degree, my specific interests in nursing while in school (very important to me!)... and, since I do want to pursue a CRNA program down the road, the 'prestige' of having Duke on my transcript is definitely something I considered. I'm not usually one to be wowed by a name, but a friend of mine who is a neurologist found out my nurse anesthetist interests and very strongly encouraged me to pursue Duke, Hopkins, etc... one of Those Schools.

The only other school I'm considering (this round) is my alma mater the University of Florida... which has a perfectly good nursing program, and in-state tuition is only $1500 per semester... haha. Some days I feel insane for being so committed to Duke's program, but I feel that at the end of the road, it will have been worth it. If I get in, of course. I'm not trying to jinx anything. ;)

Soooooo, how about y'all? What appeals to you most about Duke's program?

twois~

I am a sponge. My motivation and success (and happiness) is directly related to the environment in which I am living. I have carefully monitored this phenomenon for the past 10 years and have come to clearly understand the importance of finding a "rainforest" eco-system.

I was fortunate enough to attend the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Hummanities (Residential High School) at age 15. It was packed with some of the state's brightest and most creative young artists. Everyone involved (faculty, staff, students) was full of life and energy. It was here that I BLOSSOMED and THRIVED! My dearest friendships were formed at this time and remain today as strong as ever!!

My college environment was quite different... it was a small liberal arts school in Westerville, OH (birthplace of prohibition- if that tells you anything). It was an okay school but it lacked the verosity and passion of the Governor's School. I passed the years there... but didn't experience the same type of exponential growth I had come to expect and love.

I have seen the same patterns with work environments. What I am doing is made or broken by the environment in which it is housed. It is this belief that has drawn me to Duke. I KNOW that the students will be bright and interesting- passionate and hardworking. I trust that the faculty will be the same.

I would like to find a new "rainforest" for my education and personal growth... ideally it would also be a place that I could plant some roots and start a family. :)

For some reason, I feel like Duke is the place to do this.

The price tag isn't exactly cute, but I imagine the experience to be priceless. seriously.

:redpinkhe anyone need a tissue?

Ditto. I don't get the "cookie cutter" student impression at Duke, which was to my surprise when I began researching where to apply. I expected the opposite of what I have found to be true. I feel at home and comfortable in the actual building, and the faculty that I have interacted with has been more than willing to help and offer advice. I just get that warm fuzzy feeling. :icon_hug: Ain't that sweet?

I agree with everyone. Obviously Duke is a well-respected institution, and I knew I'd be getting a great education. I really feel like I'd be a good fit there. Also, I've lived in PA my whole life and am looking and ready for a change. Plus, it doesn't hurt that I'm a huge Duke basketball fan (like I've said before), so I'd love to be around that atmosphere since all of my guy friends are UNC fans, and they don't go easy on the trash talk just cuz I'm a girl. But I can hold my own. :)

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

So, the Universe was being a prankster today, not a total jerk... I got an email, the transcripts thing was just a missed communications thing (it was in the system, but not on her desk yet... WHEW!) and and aaaaand... I'm being moved to interview status! :D

YAY! Glad to hear that. told ya'

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