I kind of tried to search this but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, (sorry if this is a repeat thread)
I applied to the Duke ABSN program, and I've got an interview comming up. Anyone have any advice? Anyone gone through the whole process of applying, or the program? I really love what I've seen of Duke so far - and want to go there!
I haven't been able to find any statistics either (average grades, how many apply, get interviews, get accepted).
This is to everyone who's still waiting to hear from Duke...
A friend of mine who interviewed on Feb 8th and is also waiting to hear emailed Melissa today asking when we might be getting an email. Melissa said that they are still trying to make decisions and we won't hear anything until the beginning of March. So don't stress out if you don't hear anything next week b/c it is unlikely they will be sending anything out!
Hmmm....I wanted to say something encouraging to all of you, and then I realized that if I were in your shoes, NOTHING would make me feel any better....
I'm thinking about ya'll b/c I know what torture this is!! HANG IN THERE!
Thanks carolinapooh! It's great to hear some encouraging words from an alumni who has been through all of this not too long ago. I appreciate all the advice you lend on your posts - it has eased my mind throughout the admissions process. The more I am able to learn about Duke's program, the more impressed I am with the caliber of the program and its students!
Thanks carolinapooh! It's great to hear some encouraging words from an alumni who has been through all of this not too long ago. I appreciate all the advice you lend on your posts - it has eased my mind throughout the admissions process. The more I am able to learn about Duke's program, the more impressed I am with the caliber of the program and its students!
Thank YOU, too!
I was out there the other day, doing some work with one of my former professors, and I was walking down the stairs thinking, I still can't believe I graduated from this place...
I start my new job on Tuesday, so in some ways I'm as nervous as you are right now all over again - I've already gotten my scrubs ready and all but packed my lunch for my first day. It's like the first day of school when you were a little kid - without recess!
Good luck on Tuesday! I know your stomach must be tied up in knots. It is such an exciting time for you...the first day of your new career! What area of nursing will you be working in? I know Duke has prepared you well and you will be a great nurse. :wink2:
That sounds really neat. I currently work in a cancer research lab at UNC - we work on a virus that causes cancer in immunosuppressed populations, especially HIV patients - so I think oncology nursing would be a very rewarding area to work in.
Are you taking advantage of the loan reimbursement program at Duke Hospitals? I have a basic understanding of how that works but have been wondering about some of the specifics, such as what the time frame is for when you have to sign up and how you get placed in a department. Do you know if many graduates of Duke's ABSN choose to work at Duke?
That sounds really neat. I currently work in a cancer research lab at UNC - we work on a virus that causes cancer in immunosuppressed populations, especially HIV patients - so I think oncology nursing would be a very rewarding area to work in.
Are you taking advantage of the loan reimbursement program at Duke Hospitals? I have a basic understanding of how that works but have been wondering about some of the specifics, such as what the time frame is for when you have to sign up and how you get placed in a department. Do you know if many graduates of Duke's ABSN choose to work at Duke?
DEFINITELY.
Assuming you're accepted (and I so hope all of you will be!), nurse recruitment will come and talk with you soon after you start. At that time, you'll be told about the program and will be given a contract with your name on it. You have a couple of months to make your decision; you get the contract notarized and then turn it in to RN recruitment.
How it works is this: the contract is no guarantee of employment; what it is is an agreement from DUHS to pay you $11K per year for 3 years should you apply for and accept a position as a staff nurse at DUHS. You do not need to show proof of student loans although the intention of the money is for loan payback. Since no proof needs to be submitted (and also due to some legalese about the actual source of this money, which is probably interest from private donations - that's just me speculating), this money is taxed as a bonus - meaning you'll actually clear about $7500/year. HOWEVER, I am currently $21K in debt, and by putting this full amount on my loans in addition to the money I will be paying back every month, my student loans will be paid off completely in two and a half years - which means the last $7500 will go in my bank account!
There is no specific "placement" - you can work wherever you choose, at any of the DUHS facilities - three hospitals and a ton of clinics. You don't have to stay in one place for the entire three years (this is where it really differs from UNC's repayment) - most floors require you to stay for at least a year; some areas, like the MICU and the ED, have longer commitments because of the time and money they put into orienting you. But if I decide next March that I want to do something different, I could go work in the Cardiac Care center at Duke Health Raleigh, or in Orthopedics at Durham Regional, or the clinics at the Morris Cancer Treatment Center in Duke South - you're not limited to your first hired position, as long as you work in the Duke system for the three years. (I'm positive I've got that right - I do know you can work at any of the hospitals. And you have to work full time, which is a minimum of 36 hours/week.)
You receive your first payment on the one year anniversary of your hire date - my first disbursement will be in the paycheck cut on the payday falling immediately after February 18, 2009.
About half of my graduating class - and there were 54 of us - is working at Duke, somewhere in the health system. And there are several grads of prior years working on my floor - I met two of them Sunday night when I took a cake up to my future coworkers!
So even with the taxes, it's really not a bad deal. What you lose in the taxes to me is made up in the flexibility you have. I'd rather clear $7500 and have the option of leaving a floor in a year if it's just not my bag than be stuck in a position I hate to earn something tax free.
Just wanted to let you all know that I got an email from Duke today and I was waitlisted for the ABSN program for Fall 2008 I emailed Melissa to find out where on the list I am, so we'll see what she says. Hope you all have better luck.
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I emailed Melissa to find out where on the list I am, so we'll see what she says. Hope you all have better luck.
OBXLovr
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Nope, haven't heard anything yet. And a few of my friends that also interviewed haven't heard anything either.