ABSN Duke Fall 2010

Abbie Grace · Jan 11, 2010

Rubypie: I live in San Francisco and I volunteer at a small ER at a hospital about two blocks from my house. San Francisco is known for having a large homeless population and the hospital is in the Castro neighborhood which is the gay neighborhood in the city (Did you see the movie Milk? It's the neighborhood featured in the movie). So, I'd say that nearly half of the patients are either homeless or HIV+. Sometimes both. I LOVE volunteering there! Although, I wish we received more pediatric patients because I'd like to get more exposure to pediatric nursing. There's only one pediatric ER in the city and it's brand new so they're not hosting volunteers, yet.

KellyJH · Jan 13, 2010

Hello all! I also applied to Duke's ABSN for Fall 2010. I live in CA and have never been anywhere near NC but will be traveling there at the beginning of February for my interview! Good luck to everyone!

Maryash79 · Jan 13, 2010

Hey Kelly!

Welcome to the Club. I hope you will like NC. Duke boast an absolutely stunning campus, though last time I was there it was spring and there were tulips absolutely everywhere! It will be a bit brown and barren this time of year but I think you will enjoy it here in NC, I know I do (I live about 3 hours away in Asheville NC).

gkbroaro · Jan 13, 2010

Hi Kebunt!

I noticed in your message you said Duke sends out interview packets. I received an interview but I did not receive a packet. Did everyone else receive a packet?

Please help! Thanks so much! God Bless, ginillel

GenevaMarie · Jan 13, 2010

no packet here.

(but I did just go to Jamaica.... so that's kind of like... better than a packet)

Abbie Grace · Jan 14, 2010

I haven't gotten a packet and I'm going next Friday.

Welcome, Kelly!

gkbroaro · Jan 14, 2010

I'm going next Friday, too! I am very excited!

rubypie · Jan 14, 2010

Rubypie: I live in San Francisco and I volunteer at a small ER at a hospital about two blocks from my house. San Francisco is known for having a large homeless population and the hospital is in the Castro neighborhood which is the gay neighborhood in the city (Did you see the movie Milk? It's the neighborhood featured in the movie). So, I'd say that nearly half of the patients are either homeless or HIV+. Sometimes both. I LOVE volunteering there! Although, I wish we received more pediatric patients because I'd like to get more exposure to pediatric nursing. There's only one pediatric ER in the city and it's brand new so they're not hosting volunteers, yet.

AG, sounds like your work is challenging and surely inspiring. Love the movie Milk, however heartbreaking it was to watch. Hope to get to meet you at Duke Days on the 22nd!

I see a variety of patients in the ER in Cary, but not too many children either. I honestly dread that aspect because after having one of my own, it's painful to be near sick children, it just hurts me thinking of my own child being in pain like that. I hear it gets easier though being exposed during clinicals. Like anything, you get over your hangups and fears with time and experience. But anyway, just wanted to say good on you if that is the field you choose, it takes a special kind of person to be a pediatric nurse! :redbeathe

KellyJH · Jan 14, 2010

Thanks for the warm welcomes everyone I really wish that I had found this site a little sooner when I was working on applications but I suppose better late than never! The one upside to being stuck at home from work with a cold today is that I have had a chance to catch up on all the posts- you all have so much useful information and enthusiasm- I love it!

I will be making the long flight out to NC for the February 5th interview day (I didn't actually realize there was a phone interview option but still really excited to check out the campus!) I convinced my mom to take the trip with me for moral support and to check out the area since neither of us have been to the southeast before (or is NC just considered the "south?" I must admit geography is not my strong suit... I didn't even know where NC was on a map until a few months ago!). Any suggestions on things to do in town? Because I'm flying out on Wednesday I will have all day Thursday to check out the area.

kebunt · Jan 14, 2010

Hey Ginillel! OMG they do start just next week, don't they?? It seemed so far away... I saw your post and thought "Yikes!" and "Yippee!" all at the same time! :)

I hope I didn't freak anyone out by mentioning interview packets. :uhoh3: They were mentioned in another thread from previous cohort, and I (obviously iincorrectly) assumed we'd be getting something, but our nice admissions lady says no. She just said to be prepared for questions like "Why nursing?", "Why Duke?", and "Why do you think you are well-suited for an accelerated program?"

Hi Kelly! I'm not local, and I definitely don't know the area, but I think Jason might have made some suggestions on where to stay and what to do earlier in the thread...

Abbie Grace · Jan 14, 2010

Kelly - The admissions lady sent me a list of hotels where you might be able to get a corporate rate if you say that you're with Duke. I don't think that you can send a private message yet because you don't have enough posts though. If I could get your email address, I could send it to you.

Otherwise, if you're going with your mom for a girls' weekend and want to stay somewhere nice, there's a place called Washington Duke Inn on campus. We found a deal on Orbitz for $109 a night and we called the hotel and they said that they'd honor it. I'm going with my mom, too, and two of my aunts are joining us because they live sort of nearby and I never get to see them!

tazluff · Jan 14, 2010

I just spoke with our favorite person and she said they are getting ready to send out the confirmations and a "packet" via email. It basically will tell a little more information regarding Duke Days, what to expect, what to wear, where to go (maps, direction), etc.

The actual schedule and who we will be interviewing with will not be given to us ahead of time - it will be given when we arrive.

They are currently sending out the ones for the 22nd.

Next week, probably end of the week, they will send out the information for the 29th (basically a week prior). The same with the 5th.

Hope this helps!