ABSN Duke Fall 2010

GenevaMarie · Dec 16, 2009

oh stop, Carolina, you're a spring chicken. :dncgbby:(whatever *that* means)

Carolina11 · Dec 16, 2009

OH! Most importantly...the BBQ. In Durham, one of the most popular places is Bullock's. I've had it a couple of times. I grew up in eastern NC eating bbq and my favorite is Smithfield's Chicken and BBQ. I think I'm going to have to go get a bbq sandwich for dinner now that I'm thinking of it. There's not one in Durham but there are locations a few minutes away.

kebunt · Dec 16, 2009

I am a couple years older than Carolina11, somewhat disturbed by that dancing baby, and now rather hungry for BBQ.

Abbie Grace · Dec 16, 2009

Oh, please, Carolina! I'm sure you'll fit blend right in with us 20-somethings. Thanks for the BBQ recs!!

Re. age: I've always looked really young for my age. In fact, last Friday, when I was volunteering at the ER, one of my patients told me that I looked too young to go to nursing school. Ha! I told him that by the time I take the NCLEX, I'll be 28! I think that I look particularly young and scrawny in scrubs.

I always joke that when I hit 40, I can just move somewhere new, tell everyone that I'm 30, and no one but the government will need to know the truth.

4 PM on the East Coast and still no word. I was really hoping to find out today because I'm going to be away from the computer all day tomorrow-- it will be torture.

priston · Dec 16, 2009

If you guys were given an option to pick one from JHU (or) DUKE, which one would be your first choice?and Why??

I know that both of these are great universities, and both of them have top notch teaching staff.

Apart from 10K difference in tution, what else would you consider in picking one of these two options.

Carolina11 · Dec 16, 2009

If you guys were given an option to pick one from JHU (or) DUKE, which one would be your first choice?and Why??
I know that both of these are great universities, and both of them have top notch teaching staff.
Apart from 10K difference in tution, what else would you consider in picking one of these two options.

Sorry priston, I'm of no help here. I know nothing about JHU. Which one costs $10K more?

priston · Dec 16, 2009

JHU is 10K more than Duke.

GenevaMarie · Dec 16, 2009

Priston~

For me it comes down to location. *Especially since both are top-notch programs*

Maryland vs. North Carolina

(At least if you're planning to work in the state after graduation.) I am originally from SC... and have missed the culture (AND WEATHER) of the South (now live in OH.) Thus, the southern schools have my heart. :heartbeat

kebunt · Dec 16, 2009

I heard from Melissa this afternoon. Sorry, it wasn't about interviews:( But she did mention that they haven't started calling yet. I just thought I ought to mention that in case anyone was worried about not having gotten a call...

Mmmm. BBQ.

Good luck tomorrow Jason! Hope the test goes well! :nmbrn:

brinkallz · Dec 16, 2009

On the age question, I will be 32 in February...and starting to feel it! On the BBQ topic, just remember there are 2 types of NC bbq....eastern NC BBQ and western NC BBQ. Personally, I'm not a fan of the eastern vinegar-based bbq. I love the red sauce BBQ. I realize I'm a terrible North Carolinian for not liking the vinegar-based, but at least I still like sweet tea. That redeems me a little.

I was looking at JHU's program the other day. Duke would still be my first choice because of location. The idea of not having to move is appealing. My brother works in DC and I'm not sure I'd want to deal with the cost of living up there either. But comparing programs, I like both. I like the idea of JHU's MSN/MPH NP with a public health focus. I should probably focus on my BSN to begin with though.

kebunt · Dec 16, 2009

Hi Priston! My choice was not really a geographic one, although I do expect cost of living to be less in Durham and that's a big plus for me. One thing I did was talk to graduates of both programs, and I was really impressed that everyone seemed to have great things to say about Duke and how prepared they felt when they entered the workforce. That's REALLY important to me, especially in an accelerated program. I didn't get the same level of positive feedback from JHU, and that's not to say it's not a great program (top 5 in NIH funding I think), but it was enough to make me think twice.

Have you checked out a thread called Johns Hopkins Worth the Price? Lots of input from grads there, I thought. Here's the link if you're interested https://allnurses.com/graduate-nurse-forum/johns-hopkins-worth-365630.html

Good luck with your decision! Whatever you choose, they're both great schools!

twois · Dec 16, 2009

Duke, for sure...

1. The thought of living in Baltimore... yuck. No, thank you.

2. JHU's even MORE expensive than Duke. Yikes.

3. I can drive back to Florida from Duke within a day, easily, letting me maximize my break time while a student if I want to visit the family.

4. I love Duke's campus, and I could really feel at home there (since let's face it, we'll hopefully be there a lot).

5. Duke's admissions process is more focused (from what I can tell) on finding people who will be excellent nurses, not just excellent students/test-takers, and those students I've talked to from Duke have been almost universally thrilled with the program, whereas I've heard from some less-than-happy JHU nursing alums.

6. The opportunities, supposedly, for students to remain at Duke to work, and the tuition repayment.

7. Duke's Spanish and research focus tracks (can I take both, please?)

8. Cost of living in RDU

9. Ease of moving/reestablishing with a boyfriend who's going to be looking for his first job out of grad school

The reasons get a little less critical down at the bottom there, but they're still factors in my choice to focus on Duke. #1-5 are my primary reasons, though.