ABSN Duke Fall 2010

tazluff · Jan 4, 2010

I am sure they'll give us the specifics at Duke Days, but I needed some working numbers in the meantime. I just got accepted to another program (they called on Christmas Eve) and they want an answer and deposit by the end of this week. Yeesh! I am in the middle of a massive pros/cons list as we speak...

I have applied to UNC BSN (24 months) and Duke ABSN (16 months). Probably the 3 main things i will be considering if I get accepted to both are:

1. cost

2. length of program

3. courses offered

In my case, with UNC starting in May and going for 24 months and Duke starting in August and going for 16 months, with Duke, I would have more time at work to help save up and I would be working sooner (3 months) with Duke over UNC. Granted, UNC is half the cost. Also, Duke has a tuition reimbursement program. They pay you 49500 divided by 3 years for every year you work. It is based on 365 days. If you work 1 1/2 years there, you only get 16500 instead of 24750 but anything is better than nothing. I am not sure what UNC still has to offer or other schools.

With Duke, they offer a research track or a Spanish track. The Spanish track does not require you to be fluent in Spanish. Also, if you plan on going for Masters at some point, depending on the track for Masters, some if not all of those credits/courses will be able to be used for the Masters (and I am sure they could be used at other Graduate schools too). Doing this will save some money when you go to do your Masters.

These are some of the things that I will be considering but in case others haven't heard or thought of some of these things, hopefully this will help.

kebunt · Jan 4, 2010

Can anyone local give me an idea of some nice and safe neighborhoods in Durham to consider? I am trying to get an idea of what housing costs will be, but have no idea at what areas I should be looking. I am on my own and will still have a mortgage for my house in Charleston so I'd like to try to keep my expenses reasonable. I really would prefer a house with a fenced yard but would still consider an apartment. Of course charm, character, walkability and proximity to dining/shops are a plus.

Thanks!

mld1980 · Jan 4, 2010

Can anyone local give me an idea of some nice and safe neighborhoods in Durham to consider? I am trying to get an idea of what housing costs will be, but have no idea at what areas I should be looking. I am on my own and will still have a mortgage for my house in Charleston so I'd like to try to keep my expenses reasonable. I really would prefer a house with a fenced yard but would still consider an apartment. Of course charm, character, walkability and proximity to dining/shops are a plus.
Thanks!

I'd like to know areas too...preferably areas with lots of bus lines. I'm a big fan of public transportation :)

twois · Jan 4, 2010

I don't disagree with you but in my case, with me being single and a mortgage, I will be way over the $22K for 16 months. Then I have utilities, food, gas, etc on top of that.
Initially I was figuring 2 years when typing that up and just forgot to go back and make the adjustment when I said 16 months. Sorry about that!
...
I just wish the Duke prices were more like the UNC (or other public in-state universities) prices.

I'm guessing their $22k figure may just be an average set for undergrads? Not taking into account the different types of students who come back to school for an accelerated program, and the established costs of living (mortgages, etc) that can't be deferred while in school.

(I didn't mean to offend if I did - I know I sound cocky at times - I was mostly just thinking out loud there re: costs of living. Feel free to disagree, I'm wrong very often!)

And I HEAR you about in-state tuition. My alma mater, Florida, is around $100/credit hour... I'm accustomed to paying $1400-1500 per semester, not per CLASS! Duke's tuition is so, so high. But I do genuinely feel it'd be worth it... just painful on the student loans later. Heck, reading the new grad hiring woes, having a really good school behind me seems nearly priceless.

kebunt · Jan 5, 2010

Hey All, Here's what I've learned today...

While the new tuition rates won't be released for another month or two, I will be speaking with the financial person tomorrow to get some specifics and I will, of course, share with the group if anyone is interested.

The other thing we discussed was notifications b/c I've got timing issues with another school. Unlike in the past, Duke is not planning to give acceptances as they progress through interviews (remember all those people that got phone calls a couple of days after their interviews?), but instead will wait and review all candidates after all interviews have been completed. I have to say, now that I need to know earlier, I am disappointed. But I do have to admit that as I looked at allnurses threads from previous groups I know I would have been really nervous if people were getting admitted and I hadn't even interviewed yet! I would worry all the spots were being filled. And as she explained, that''s exactly why they're moving away from early notifications. Fewer spots for later interviewees is not fair...

Also, I am sure most of us know that they have estimated notifications going out mid to late February, but they may come later for a couple of reasons. Since they are waiting to review all candidates after interviewing is complete, it may slow things down. Also, they are still determining whether or not to add a fourth interview date in mid-Feb. Obviously, this would push their final review of candidates back even further.

This is pretty much what I've learned today. She was fabulous as usual. There is a meeting later in the week and she's planning to ask what, if any, accommmodations canl be made for applicants that have timing issues because of other schools. I got the feeling that I shouldn''t be holding my breath, but I'll definitely let you all know what she has to say.

JasonB · Jan 5, 2010

Sorry to miss so many questions about Durham and housing.. I forgot all about y'all with the holiday craziness. For shame.

Going back to some earlier questions about Durham's safety: Crime is down 50% or something over the past 5 (10?) years. I can't remember the exact stat, but Durham's naysayers are flat-out wrong about the city. It is a great place to live, and improving constantly. I've had stuff stolen here, certainly, but about the same amount of stuff I've had stolen in the four other cities I've lived in, and for the same stupid reason (just lock your door!). I personally live in an area that used to be absolutely terrible only 4-5 years ago, but through programs like Self Help, Land Trust, and Habitat, has been made into a quiet, pretty neighborhood of owner-occupied homes. There are many neighborhoods in Durham like this.

Sadly, though, there isn't much to rent in those areas. You'd do best looking at the West Village ($$$) or the Trinity Park neighborhood ($-$$$) for rentals if you like to be close to stuff to do, or some of the apartment complexes near Duke ($$-$$$) if atmosphere isn't a priority. PLENTY of other options exist, though. Good neighborhoods relatively close include Old North Durham, The West End (mine), Walltown, Watts/Hillandale, and Old West Durham. Avoid East Durham in general, for both proximity and crime reasons. Good companies (just off the top of my head and by no means comprehensive) to rent from include Jeffrey and Co., Apple, and Schmidt (iffy at times?). Avoid Bob (?) Solie. Best bet though would be a private individual from my experience.

Hope that helps! I'll be keeping an eye on the board for more specific queries.

-J

tazluff · Jan 5, 2010

(I didn't mean to offend if I did - I know I sound cocky at times - I was mostly just thinking out loud there re: costs of living. Feel free to disagree, I'm wrong very often!)
And I HEAR you about in-state tuition. My alma mater, Florida, is around $100/credit hour... I'm accustomed to paying $1400-1500 per semester, not per CLASS! Duke's tuition is so, so high. But I do genuinely feel it'd be worth it... just painful on the student loans later. Heck, reading the new grad hiring woes, having a really good school behind me seems nearly priceless.

Oh no, you didn't offend me one bit. :) Sorry if it came across as me being offended.

That's part of the problem with forums/emails/etc - it's difficult to tell at times.

kebunt · Jan 5, 2010

A huge help, Jason. Thank you! :bowingpur

Abbie Grace · Jan 5, 2010

Unlike in the past, Duke is not planning to give acceptances as they progress through interviews

Aw, man.

As someone with a relatively early interview date, this puts a selfish little frown on my face.

GenevaMarie · Jan 5, 2010

I am sporting a selfish little frown as well. Oh well.

Also- is everyone getting a jumpstart on financial aid? I haven't contacted anyone from the office yet- as I don't want to count my chickens...

:nurse: --> me! red hair!

kspills10 · Jan 5, 2010

So I was looking through the student handback, and I noticed that during the final semester, students have to take "comprehensive diagnostic predictor examinations." If you don't get a certain score, you have to do a remediation program and then retest. I know that one school near me uses the HESI exam, and it is a major turnoff for prospective students because if you don't pass then you aren't eligible to take the NCLEX and you also can't graduate. I was wondering if anyone knows what Duke's policy is regarding this final comprehensive exam (i.e. even after the remediation program what happens if you don't pass the retest, and are you still able to graduate).

Also, I looked at the MSN handbook, and it says that the 15 graduate credits earned by Duke ABSN students "may or may not be applicable to the specialty's requirements." So which specialties will these credits count for, and which ones will they not?

tazluff · Jan 5, 2010

Also, I looked at the MSN handbook, and it says that the 15 graduate credits earned by Duke ABSN students "may or may not be applicable to the specialty's requirements." So which specialties will these credits count for, and which ones will they not?

If you look at each MSN program, you can see which courses are required for each and if it's one that you have already taken, then it would count.

So for CRNA, N308 (Applied Statistics), N307 (Research Methods) and N312 (Research Utilization - if you took the Research track) would apply. So there are some graduate courses that we would have taken (Pathophysiology and Health Promotion & Disease Prevention) that would not count for CRNA. Whereas for Family Nurse Practioner, all 5 courses would be accepted.

I believe N307, N308 and N312 are required for all MSN specialities but I am not positive - those that I checked at a quick glance, had those 3 courses. Some others are required too from what i saw such as N301 and N303 but we don't take those for ABSN.

Hope this helps!