Duke ABSN Fall 2014 Hopefuls

JuanMartin · Mar 5, 2014

I'm more or less trying to get a sense for how many people even want to do such a thing....keep studying for an MSN or DNP. I think some areas, like pediatrics, do require experience (2 years I believe) but not the area that I'd be applying to (geriatric nursing). My interviewers told me that roughly 20% of students do this, but that was off the cuff and I think that it's good to hear from a student offering advice, information, insight, etc. Surely she would have a good sense for how commonly pursued the "early admission" option is? Surely she's talked to people involved, etc? I think you're right though, the admissions office should have data about this and I could ask them in the future!

Duke offers a DNP for their nurse practitioner specialties as well as the CRNA program. It's just that the CRNA program now requires a DNP degree whereas the DNP for NPs, so far, has been framed as something done in addition to the more traditional masters degree. Indeed, they also have a BSN to DNP program, though I don't think that option pertains to absn students using the "early decision" application option.

So far I am somewhat wary of the DNP. Though it's been called for, so few universities offer it, so few practicing NPs have it, and so little of what it requires in addition to the traditional master's training appears to actually be germane to advanced practice nursing. Does the extra time and money spent earning such a credential actually help students or patients? It's a concern of mine. It's not too too much of a concern, however, since it looks like many schools are going to aim to offer such programs on a part time basis to working NPs anyway (some seem to actually require that you be a practicing NP already!), which would put it in reach if and when it ever became ACTUALLY mandatory for some reason.

MzJazBerri · Mar 5, 2014

Well I think either getting your MSN or continuing to get your DNP is really based on what your career goals are and changes that are and continue to occur with the health care system. So, it might not be needed to get your DNP now, but it might be something to look at now since it seems more MSN programs might be transitioning to DNP programs.

But I would look into maybe a trend for Duke NP and DNP on here because you might meet someone who was a Duke Alumni and they are now applying for the program or are already in the program. They can maybe shed some more light

JuanMartin · Mar 5, 2014

I think that's a good idea. I'll point out one thing I've noticed and that's that very few (approaching zero) people I have seen working as full-time clinically practicing NPs have a DNP. Looking at the Duke medical websites at all the different staff they have I can find many NPs (many are graduates of DUSON) but I have yet to see one DNP. Where you do see MANY DNPs are the faculties of various nursing schools. It seems that, so far, the role has become more of a teaching or research credential.

Maybe things will change in the future but I wonder. I wonder if anything really needed to change in the first place? I wonder why, really, anyone ever thought that more "nursing education" was the solution to some, apparently, preconceived problem? Especially in light of the fact that evidence exists that NPs, as they are (master's trained nurses), have been very good for American healthcare?

The academic/bureaucratic world of nursing is kind of bizarre to me....all these semi-official governing bodies like the AACN etc, etc, etc.... that seem to have some kind of authority but whatever that authority is it's illdefined enough that a mandate made years and years ago for NPs to have a doctorate by 2015 has been widely ignored. 2015 will be here in a matter of months and the country isn't even close to reaching such a change.

MzJazBerri · Mar 5, 2014

I agree that in 2015, I don't think that most MSN programs will transit to DNP , probably due to time constraint. But I do think DNP is another option for those who don't want to have a research-focus on nursing (i.e. PhD in Nursing). And I admit I don't know a whole lot about DNP, but it seems compare to MSN programs, it is relatively new so I would be interested in seeing in the years to come, if there is a increase of people obtaining their DNP.

CRNA3485, BSN, DNP, CRNA · Mar 5, 2014

From what I have read, and this is coming from the CRNA direction only, that a lot of these transitional changes from MSN to DNP requirements will happen in 2025 (per the national CRNA association). From looking around, I know that hospitals and surgery centers look for those higher degrees so they can just hire a CRNA with their own malpractice insurance so they don't have to hire an anesthesiologist. I believe that the DNP will bring more responsibility and independence than nurses have previously gotten in the past, but since it is such a new degree, I guess we will all just have to wait in anticipation to see what really happens.

guest699183 · Mar 5, 2014

I think that's a good idea. I'll point out one thing I've noticed and that's that very few (approaching zero) people I have seen working as full-time clinically practicing NPs have a DNP. Looking at the Duke medical websites at all the different staff they have I can find many NPs (many are graduates of DUSON) but I have yet to see one DNP. Where you do see MANY DNPs are the faculties of various nursing schools. It seems that, so far, the role has become more of a teaching or research credential.
Maybe things will change in the future but I wonder. I wonder if anything really needed to change in the first place? I wonder why, really, anyone ever thought that more "nursing education" was the solution to some, apparently, preconceived problem? Especially in light of the fact that evidence exists that NPs, as they are (master's trained nurses), have been very good for American healthcare?
The academic/bureaucratic world of nursing is kind of bizarre to me....all these semi-official governing bodies like the AACN etc, etc, etc.... that seem to have some kind of authority but whatever that authority is it's illdefined enough that a mandate made years and years ago for NPs to have a doctorate by 2015 has been widely ignored. 2015 will be here in a matter of months and the country isn't even close to reaching such a change.

I know there is one member on here who posts frequently who obtained their DNP at Duke and works. About BlueDevil,DNP

But on the whole I've noticed the same things as you in terms of the MSN being much more popular even if a program offers the DNP. At the Duke the DNP was launched in 2008.

Latest thread for Duke's FNP applicants. Might be helpful in comparing MSN vs. DNP.

https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/duke-universitys-online-890433.html

I don't doubt their may be benefits to more education but just from what I have seen with PTs I am not sure it will accomplish some of the things claimed.

liliping · Mar 8, 2014

I am so nervous and excited for the 12th to get here! The more I reflect on my Duke Day, the more I realize how excited I am to become a nurse and how "at home" I felt at Duke. Sending everyone well wishes and luck for good news next week!

cwazycupcakes · Mar 8, 2014

Hey my sister is thinking about applying to Duke for this Spring 2015 class. On the website Curriculum for Accelerated BSN Program | Duke School of Nursing it says there is a new curriculum. Do any of you who went to Duke Days know the structure or format or details of the new curriculum? It said it would be on the website by November but it's not on there.

Thanks in advance!

Scout_90, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2014

Hey my sister is thinking about applying to Duke for this Spring 2015 class. On the website Curriculum for Accelerated BSN Program | Duke School of Nursing it says there is a new curriculum. Do any of you who went to Duke Days know the structure or format or details of the new curriculum? It said it would be on the website by November but it's not on there.
Thanks in advance!

Hello! I'm not sure if this helps, but here's what I wrote down in my notes from Duke Days (2/21):

Revision of Curriculum:

-58-60 credits

-ugrad: ~50-52 credits

-grad: 6 credits

- ~625 hours clinical

Teaching-Learning Environment:

-lectures

-SIM patients

-case studies

-care maps

-EBP papers

-role-playing

-ATI test(?) tracks potential success on NCLEX

-I'm not sure how the above info compares with the "old" curriculum, but this is what they said re: the curriculum revisions.

-I am pretty sure they said that they are integrating pathophysiology with pharmacology a little better than before, is what I think a few students and professors said-- someone correct me if this is wrong!

(Overall, I understood that there would be more synthesized and more integration between lecture and clinical components)

MzJazBerri · Mar 10, 2014

Hello! I'm not sure if this helps, but here's what I wrote down in my notes from Duke Days (2/21):
Revision of Curriculum:
-58-60 credits
-ugrad: ~50-52 credits
-grad: 6 credits
- ~625 hours clinical
Teaching-Learning Environment:
-lectures
-SIM patients
-case studies
-care maps
-EBP papers
-role-playing
-ATI test(?) tracks potential success on NCLEX
-I'm not sure how the above info compares with the "old" curriculum, but this is what they said re: the curriculum revisions.
-I am pretty sure they said that they are integrating pathophysiology with pharmacology a little better than before, is what I think a few students and professors said-- someone correct me if this is wrong!
(Overall, I understood that there would be more synthesized and more integration between lecture and clinical components)

To add, they have done away with the different tracks and now everyone will be taking the same classes, but for your electives, you can take up to 6 graduate credits (i.e. Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, Advanced Concepts in Diabetes, Advanced Concepts in HIV/AIDS, etc.)

MzJazBerri · Mar 10, 2014

Hello! I'm not sure if this helps, but here's what I wrote down in my notes from Duke Days (2/21):
Revision of Curriculum:
-58-60 credits
-ugrad: ~50-52 credits
-grad: 6 credits
- ~625 hours clinical
Teaching-Learning Environment:
-lectures
-SIM patients
-case studies
-care maps
-EBP papers
-role-playing
-ATI test(?) tracks potential success on NCLEX
-I'm not sure how the above info compares with the "old" curriculum, but this is what they said re: the curriculum revisions.
-I am pretty sure they said that they are integrating pathophysiology with pharmacology a little better than before, is what I think a few students and professors said-- someone correct me if this is wrong!
(Overall, I understood that there would be more synthesized and more integration between lecture and clinical components)

To add, they have done away with the different tracks and now everyone will be taking the same classes, but for your electives, you can take up to 6 graduate credits (i.e. Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, Advanced Concepts in Diabetes, Advanced Concepts in HIV/AIDS, etc.)

hopefulBE · Mar 11, 2014

Anticipating tomorrows, news! I am debating whether or not to look, until after I take my finals.. which would be next week. haha. Best wishes for everyone!!!