I am (excitedly) looking into nursing programs to hopefully enroll in within the next year. I have been intrigued by Duke, not only for it's ranking but for the fact that I could add some specialty education, which isn't easy to find!
Things I'm worried about:
1. COST. I'm guessing its going to be between 75-100K for me to complete this degree at duke... and I recently learned FASFA doesn't have any grants for grad school So whether or not having the high profile degree is worth the extra money is a concern of mine.
2. TIME. I've reached out to the program with no response so far, but I'm having a hard time seeing what the part time options are like for distance students. Does anyone know how long this program is when done part time?
3. COMPETITION. I know I'm not alone in this, but when I went through nursing school 10 years ago I was on the tail end of some pretty intense bullying from my professors. I have a TERRIBLE taste in my mouth from nursing school, but still have a huge desire to advance my education and professional experience. I worry a bit that a school as high profile as Duke would be hugely competitive and leave me feeling a bit beaten down again. This is the topic I get most nervous about!
Thank you to anyone who finished reading my tome ?
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
28 minutes ago, HiFive said:
Did you go the online program? Is it highly manageable and can you get a chance to meet with the professors in person if you have questions? (I live nearby)
I went to Johns Hopkins. They have no online NP program unless you are doing a post-master's certificate or an Executive DNP (nonclinical).
This brings up another good question... regarding the highly reputable schools,
do MDs mind as much if it was mostly distance base (online) if the school is highly reputable? Such as Duke, Vanderbilt, Rush, and many other state universities?
This brings up another good question... regarding the highly reputable schools,
do MDs mind as much if it was mostly distance base (online) if the school is highly reputable? Such as Duke, Vanderbilt, Rush, and many other state universities?
I have had great feedback from MDs who know I am at Duke University. They are very impressed with the quality of a Duke education. They know its online and that does not seem to matter. Between going out for on campus intensives as well as intensives for my specialty, I feel like I am getting a great education. I hope this helps.
I really enjoyed reading this as I am currently in the application process at Duke. I have an interview later this month. I have heard from many physicians at my work on how impressed they are of me choosing Duke and have wished me tons of luck in the process.
As someone else mentioned here, as NP's, we will likely be hired by physicians who do care about where we obtained our education. I feel that obtaining a Duke education will give me an advantage over other applicants.
The problem goes back to COST. And here is where I'm stuck.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
On 2/15/2020 at 5:55 PM, jess427rn said:
I just wanted to bump this thread....
I really enjoyed reading this as I am currently in the application process at Duke. I have an interview later this month. I have heard from many physicians at my work on how impressed they are of me choosing Duke and have wished me tons of luck in the process.
As someone else mentioned here, as NP's, we will likely be hired by physicians who do care about where we obtained our education. I feel that obtaining a Duke education will give me an advantage over other applicants.
The problem goes back to COST. And here is where I'm stuck.
Go ahead and apply. You may get excellent financial aid. Also look into the Nurse Corps Scholarship and equivalent state scholarships. There are also loan repayment options at the state and federal level, as well as programs by some employers.
Go ahead and apply. You may get excellent financial aid. Also look into the Nurse Corps Scholarship and equivalent state Scholarships. There are also loan repayment options at the state and federal level, as well as programs by some employers.
Thanks for your encouragement FullGlass. I'm going to start looking into the Nurse Corps Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities.
I really enjoyed reading this as I am currently in the application process at Duke. I have an interview later this month. I have heard from many physicians at my work on how impressed they are of me choosing Duke and have wished me tons of luck in the process.
As someone else mentioned here, as NP's, we will likely be hired by physicians who do care about where we obtained our education. I feel that obtaining a Duke education will give me an advantage over other applicants.
The problem goes back to COST. And here is where I'm stuck.
I’m in Dukes WHNP program and graduate on December. It’s expensive, but the education has been great. The staff communicates well, the OCIs (on campus intensives) have been essential for understanding the hands on portion and bonding with classmates. I will say that if you are out of state you will want to do some networking locally to help find yourself preceptors. I have friends in FL, VA, and MA who have had terrible preceptor experiences. I’m in NC, so I’m okay. Good luck with your decision!
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
On 4/12/2019 at 4:58 PM, Thanksforthedonuts said:
This brings up another good question... regarding the highly reputable schools,
do MDs mind as much if it was mostly distance base (online) if the school is highly reputable? Such as Duke, Vanderbilt, Rush, and many other state universities?
I don't think MDs go into that much detail - they just look at your resume. Even if they did, the quality schools deliver didactic online, which is fine. They still provide hands on skills training and help find preceptors. I went to Hopkins, which is now online for the NP program. There are still on-campus visits for the physical exam classes and so forth.
On 2/18/2020 at 8:16 AM, CaffinatedInCarolina said:
I’m in Dukes WHNP program and graduate on December. It’s expensive, but the education has been great. The staff communicates well, the OCIs (on campus intensives) have been essential for understanding the hands on portion and bonding with classmates. I will say that if you are out of state you will want to do some networking locally to help find yourself preceptors. I have friends in FL, VA, and MA who have had terrible preceptor experiences. I’m in NC, so I’m okay. Good luck with your decision!
Hi CaffinatedInCarolina- I was accepted to Duke's WHNP program to start fall of 2020. When you went for your on campus intensives- how many days at a time were you there? Do you feel like you have gotten a lot of hands on practice? Are the faculty supportive? How do you like it overall?
Sorry for the questions! Trying to get in touch with as many current students as possible. Thanks for considering!
I would like to know more about Duke Grads. So I am bumping up this thread. So far from the feedback I have heard, it seems as though whether you are online or in person, it does not seem to matter. For those who have graduated from Duke, do you mind sharing your GPA?
Hi. I'm a Duke grad. I did the AGNP and WHNP tracks. I graduated in May 2018. My GPA was 3.93. I LOVED the program. I can't speak highly enough of the program. I worked full-time the first year of the program, but then I went part time to finish. Once clinical started, I couldn't continue to work my 9-5 job. A Duke education is unparalleled. I have since taken a post graduated course at another online university and the instruction was so bad I've decided not to continue. I will be starting my DNP with a PMC in PMHNP in August.
I received the Nurse Corp scholarship so I had very little debt from the program. I will have a lot of debt for the DNP and PMC, but I think it's worth it. I have worked in a rural FQHC for the last two years and have had a great experience, mostly due to the great education I got at Duke.
Don't be fooled. Not all NP programs are created equal. Duke is highly ranked for good reason.
FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP
2 Articles; 1,942 Posts
I went to Johns Hopkins. They have no online NP program unless you are doing a post-master's certificate or an Executive DNP (nonclinical).