Duke University worth the money?

sheronep, MSN, RN · Jul 22, 2012

Heck no! Unless you are rich!

jonron1216 · Jul 23, 2012

I am a current applicant for the Duke ABSN program, I absolutely think that Duke is worth the money. The program is fantastic, the instructors seem very personable and concerned with the students' success and the students are afforded many experiences one simply doesn't get from other universities. I would suggest that you attend an info session to see if the program is a good fit for you.

There are many many options out their for tuition reimbursement. Duke offers a program paying back around 80% of the tuition in three years if you work for Duke Health Systems afterwards. (Which would be a great opportunity to get experience at one of the country's most renowned hospitals.) Other than that, there are several other tuition reimbursement programs offered through the government/state that are well worth looking into.

Being rich is by no means a condition for pursuing a great education with the goal of being the best nurse you can.

manusko · Jul 23, 2012

That is more than double my programs cost and I'll be in the hole quite a bit. You have to decide between the costs and the programs fit for you. Tuition all varies from program to program. The payback sounds great but it all depends on if you even want to live in that area for the next 6 years or just 3 and move where you want to. Tough decisions but it doesn't matter what we think. Talk it over with friends and family.

focker14 · Jul 23, 2012

Well Duke does have an excellent program. Honestly man, you go where you can get accepted! If Duke is the only school you get accepted to then you go to Duke. If you get accepted to more than one then, I would go to the school that YOU can afford without taking out a lot of loans. Where you went to school doesn't mean much once you get out and pass the boards as we all learn the same information to pass exam. FYI though, make sure you ask about the stipend program at DUKE should you choose to go there as I recently (last week) heard that some of their own students weren't being offered stipends. Good luck! CRNA school is similar to hell, maybe even worse. !!! Cheers!

IHeartDukeCTICU · Jul 23, 2012

Program for tuition and required costs alone are approx $97,000. Is it really worth this kind of money or are there a lot better cost effective options out there? How much is too much to borrow for CRNA school. Please help! Have some decisions to make!
Thanks!

I guess the only real way to find out would be to go through the program, then go through another program. I was in the same situation last week... trying to figure out if I was going to go to ECU or to Duke. Obviously, ECU is MUCH cheaper, and they also have a good program. In the end though, I like living in Raleigh & I found the Duke staff to be knowledgeable and personable... so I'm going to be a Blue Devil. Is the tuition insane? Yes, but after talking it over with my fiance and my family, it's do-able.

Also, take into account that unless you've got a huge chunk of change stashed away to cover lost wages, you may have to take out a personal loan. Duke does have a higher cost of attendance, but they also factor more in for living expenses. Remember your federal & grad-plus loans cannot exceed the cost of attendance, so if a school only allocates X amount for living/gas/food in their cost of attendance, then you'd need to take out a loan to cover anything above that. Duke allocates something like $1100 for living (rent, utilities, food, etc.) & $800 for transportation (gas, maintenance) per month. So for me, the higher cost of Duke is worth it b/c it will allow me to not really stress about finances r/t lost income while in school, and allow more time for studying.

Monetary cost is one thing, relative cost is another. In the end you and only you can decide if it's worth it. :) Good luck!

piratenurse0226 · Jul 23, 2012

I guess the only real way to find out would be to go through the program, then go through another program. I was in the same situation last week... trying to figure out if I was going to go to ECU or to Duke. Obviously, ECU is MUCH cheaper, and they also have a good program. In the end though, I like living in Raleigh & I found the Duke staff to be knowledgeable and personable... so I'm going to be a Blue Devil. Is the tuition insane? Yes, but after talking it over with my fiance and my family, it's do-able.
Also, take into account that unless you've got a huge chunk of change stashed away to cover lost wages, you may have to take out a personal loan. Duke does have a higher cost of attendance, but they also factor more in for living expenses. Remember your federal & grad-plus loans cannot exceed the cost of attendance, so if a school only allocates X amount for living/gas/food in their cost of attendance, then you'd need to take out a loan to cover anything above that. Duke allocates something like $1100 for living (rent, utilities, food, etc.) & $800 for transportation (gas, maintenance) per month. So for me, the higher cost of Duke is worth it b/c it will allow me to not really stress about finances r/t lost income while in school, and allow more time for studying.
Monetary cost is one thing, relative cost is another. In the end you and only you can decide if it's worth it. :) Good luck!

First off congratulations on your acceptance to not only one but both schools you applied to. How was the interview process? I've heard Duke's interview process can be brutal! I'm trying to get myself prepared to apply for spring '14 and a friend recommended this sight to gain intel on how to prepare myself. Any information would be great! Thanks and congrats again.

IHeartDukeCTICU · Jul 23, 2012

Thanks! Honestly, ECU's interview was the most intimidating, but you are right about Duke's being brutal...

ECU's it was me talking to like 14 different people asking questions.

Duke was me talking to 5 people.

In both interviews they were pretty easy to talk to, they made you feel comfortable. However, with Duke, the clinical questions got pretty intense. Let's just say don't try to B.S., if you don't know something, just admit you don't know. I think most schools will try to ask you some questions you're not supposed to know, to see if you are humble enough and truthful enough to admit it. Also, to see how you act under pressure. Just be yourself, be honest, and try to relax.

Going over standard interview questions beforehand will help. If you're interested, I have a list of like 100 questions that I reviewed a few weeks before the interviews that I can email to you. Just PM me. Also, make sure your GRE scores are competitive, take some graduate level classes if you're gpa is so-so, and get involved with your unit (precepting, charge, committees etc.). Also, I cannot stress enough about getting the CCRN, it doesn't necessarily make you "more" competitive, but if you don't have it you def stand out in a negative way. Of the 15 people in my interview group, 13 had their CCRN. The other 2 that did not...as far as I know didnt get in.

Also, I'd advise you to go check out those schools in person if you haven't done so yet. Not only will they be able to put a face to a name, but you'll get a better idea if the program will be able to give you the type of learning that you need.

Just browse around this section some and you'll find plenty of useful information. If you have any other questions about those schools in particular, feel free to message me.

Calirnforever · Apr 15, 2013

Thanks! Honestly, ECU's interview was the most intimidating, but you are right about Duke's being brutal...
ECU's it was me talking to like 14 different people asking questions.
Duke was me talking to 5 people.
In both interviews they were pretty easy to talk to, they made you feel comfortable. However, with Duke, the clinical questions got pretty intense. Let's just say don't try to B.S., if you don't know something, just admit you don't know. I think most schools will try to ask you some questions you're not supposed to know, to see if you are humble enough and truthful enough to admit it. Also, to see how you act under pressure. Just be yourself, be honest, and try to relax.
Going over standard interview questions beforehand will help. If you're interested, I have a list of like 100 questions that I reviewed a few weeks before the interviews that I can email to you. Just PM me. Also, make sure your GRE scores are competitive, take some graduate level classes if you're gpa is so-so, and get involved with your unit (precepting, charge, committees etc.). Also, I cannot stress enough about getting the CCRN, it doesn't necessarily make you "more" competitive, but if you don't have it you def stand out in a negative way. Of the 15 people in my interview group, 13 had their CCRN. The other 2 that did not...as far as I know didnt get in.
Also, I'd advise you to go check out those schools in person if you haven't done so yet. Not only will they be able to put a face to a name, but you'll get a better idea if the program will be able to give you the type of learning that you need.
Just browse around this section some and you'll find plenty of useful information. If you have any other questions about those schools in particular, feel free to message me.

I really enjoyed reading your thorough reply to previous comments. Do you still have the 100 interview question list? If so, is there anyway I can get a copy of that? I applied to ECU as well (debating whether I should apply to Duke as well). Currently working at a large teaching hospital cardiac ICU, but was in CT ICU for little less than a year. If you don't mind me asking, what were your stats or your class' stats? Thank you in advance.

bestclassever · Jun 25, 2013

Is it possible to get the list of 100 questions to review in prep for interviews? Did you find that the preparation helped you act natural during the interview?

diligentcrna · Sep 23, 2013

Hello

I am new to this forum and have two CRNA school interviews next mth. Excited but nerve wracking!! Is there any way you can pls email me a copy of these questions also? It'd be very helpful.