DUKE ABSN Fall 2012

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Hi all!

Just wanted to start a thread for the people applying to duke for the fall of 2012. I am super excited/nervous to be filling out the application! I know that there are others out there feeling the same way. If anybody is willing to comment I would love to hear from some people who have applied, accepted or denied, or applying right now, or even going to apply in the future. :)

What do you guys know/think about the MADIN II program?

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What do you guys know/think about the MADIN II program?

If you have the opportunity to become a MADIN II fellow, I say go for it!! It's a GREAT program that offers a vast network of opportunities that will help your career in nursing.

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That is a great plus, but I'm not getting much information from the MADIN coordinators about funding, which is my major concern. They said they can't tell us the exact amount of funding available through the program until August. To me, this just seems really late.

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madan, a poster who participated in the program wrote a lot about it in the middle of this thread if you're up for hunting for her posts... I can't remember her screen name, but she spoke very highly of it.

FB group up to 20. A little piece of my soul dies every time someone joins... LOL. ;)

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That is a great plus, but I'm not getting much information from the MADIN coordinators about funding, which is my major concern. They said they can't tell us the exact amount of funding available through the program until August. To me, this just seems really late.

As in, the program may not be available this year? I was under the impression that MADIN II does not offer major scholarships for their fellows, however, they did speak of a stipend.

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The 2011 MADIN fellows received a pretty large $15,000 scholarship that they're saying was a one-time deal. It's a bit disappointing. I had previously read the entries from the poster that spoke about the program last year, and most of what she said, the MADIN coordinator won't give me a straight answer about.

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The 2011 MADIN fellows received a pretty large $15,000 scholarship that they're saying was a one-time deal. It's a bit disappointing. I had previously read the entries from the poster that spoke about the program last year, and most of what she said, the MADIN coordinator won't give me a straight answer about.

Yeah, it appears they are having issues with funding.

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I'm guessing (just a guess) that Duke, like a lot of other nursing schools, may be competing to get Robert Wood Johnson Foundation money, which has a category designated for underrepresented groups in nursing, and which the schools in turn award to students...MADIN students would by definition qualify for these funds. I think most schools award it as a one-time $10k scholarship. I had a conversation with admissions people at two other schools about this topic, and they couldn't make any promises either.

Schools don't hear back from the foundation until July about whether they're getting the funds. My impression was that Duke otherwise didn't have a big endowment or anything like that to fund MADIN scholars.

added: speaking of money....sure wish I'd get my financial aid letter. Just sayin'. Poodle, I like your optimism but probably they're just slooooooooow. :)

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I feel the same way you do Madan...I got my hopes up about funding given the comment from last year's MADIN Cohort member...I just wonder is it worth all the debt? Or will I be living paycheck to paycheck and working in Nebraska in the only place I could find a nursing job!! hahaha...who knows

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I guess my question would be does anyone know how many Duke Nursing grads find jobs six months following graduation?

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I guess my question would be does anyone know how many Duke Nursing grads find jobs six months following graduation?

Don't quote me on this but Duke has an excellent record for consistently placing their graduates well throughout the country. Not to mention the fact that Duke just opened their new cancer center and expanded their new Duke Medicine Pavilion, both of which would require the need for scores of nurses.

True, it would be a sacrifice to take out loans but you have a number of opportunities to cut that debt down through Duke's own tuition reimbursement program and HRSA.

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Specializes in Medical Intensive Care.

Hey guys,

Congrats to all those who have been accepted! Btw, I am the poster, and MADIN II scholar, that provided all the info. I urge all who are eligible to participate if you are serious about attending the ABSN program at Duke. As for funding, this is still a MAJOR issue. The program coordinators are working very hard to secure funds for their scholars, but it's something they're behind on because they didn't really realize how major of an issue it was until we (summer 2011 scholars) made them realize it! There were a good number of us who could not start last August for this exact reason. (Not everyone gets approved for those big private loans, even those who ARE willing to accept them.) Nonetheless, this program is invaluable. I wish everyone (not just minority students) could participate.

Even as someone who spent the summer at the school, met most of the instructors, got acquainted with the school, took a credited course, etc., I've still not 100% committed to the program. I've been accepted to 2 other schools (Medical University of SC and St. Louis Univ.) that are still great programs, but far cheaper. You all need to be VERY mindful that this program is expensive, and most of it, if not all, will have to be funded with PRIVATE loans. These companies can do whatever they want with their interest rates, don't care if you cant find a job/ dont make a ton of money as a new grad RN, etc. If you owe them $1200 a month (on top of any debt you may already have from prior education), oh well. There are far fewer protections than with federal loans, which offer things like deferment, forbearance, hardship/loss of employment considerations, income-based repayment, and loan elimination after a certain amount of time working as a public servant (which nurses qualify as). I am NOT trying to scare or discourage anyone, but these are things any rational person should think about before signing loan papers.

Fortunately, nursing is a lucrative field, and there are ways to make extra income. Plus, Duke has great programs (like tuition reimbursement, etc. Keep in mind that even Duke's tuition reimbursement is taxed at 38%, so you'll get 62% of your tuition cost back over 3 years of full-time employment, not 100%. Plus you can't participate just because you're a Duke grad. You must apply and be accepted to be reimbursed, and in this economy, they're being picky!) to alleviate some of that debt. Anyone you talk to at Duke will encourage you to seek outside funding, so be sure to explore monies from federal, military, private organizations, etc. If you are ok with your financial responsibility to Duke, then go for it! Its really a great program, and you'l be more than a competent new nurse when you finish. But there are many other great programs out there also, so don't stretch yourself thin if you know you are uncomfortable with such large debt.

Feel free to ask any questions about MADIN, etc. I have lots of info to share.

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