Faith9

Hello, I don't know the specific graduation rate for DUSON, but Duke in general is between 94-97% from what I have read online. I can tell you that the people who didn't graduate either did something stupid or had some personal issue that they needed to work through, not necessarily due to the rigor of the program. If there's something that's going on, there can always be a leave of absence granted.

Hello, No problem - classes are all online past the ABSN/MEPN program, so MSN, DNP, PGCs, Specialty Certificates. There are no live lectures, but can be synchronous for certain portions of the program if needed with the discretion of the course faculty/needs of the course. I can recall one time with a guest lecturer mid way through the program as an example. Clinicals begin once core courses are finished - I had started clinicals around term 5 (Summer term 1 within "year 2" of the matriculation plan). It appears AC clinicals start with N664. They posted the ACNP curriculum similar to the PC one that I am sharing: AG-ACNP Curriculum - 2024.pdf For reference, there's a calendar that was posted for timelines (when classes begin, when clinicals start/end), this is found within the DUSON academic calendar: Academic Calendar 2025-2026 1-30-2025.pdf As far as preceptors go: Duke has contracts with the clinical sites and has preceptors that accept students within those sites. I never had to find a preceptor myself, usually the site has them already, and they collaborate with the clinical placement office (CPO). I had mixed experiences with the CPO - the first person that assisted me with clinicals was amazing - I had no issues despite my area being relatively difficult in general to find placement. Midway through I was switched to another person that was super lazy - basically filling in the gap of what the other person did prior to her. With that being said, I found what helped me THE MOST was working as an RN at a hospital setting that also had a clinic present, at least for my experience with primary care! I noticed that a lot of these sites don't accept people for clinicals who do not work for them. I had another challenge in which I had the issue with my workplace having a strict preference only for those local schools with clinical placements; however, my clinical placement officer applied anyway despite this and advocated for me as I worked for this company for over 2 years at that point (as I had to apply with another application for the hospital's school of health sciences and they (CPO) had to apply on my behalf). I had really good communication with them for this whole process. The second half of the program with clinicals (with the last clinical in PC and specialty certificate - I had the lazy CPO person), with someone who wanted me to do all the work - even fill out the form despite it strictly saying to not have the student apply on their own for my workplace. I reiterated this part and screenshot that on the website of my workplace and sent it to them along with how to answer the questions on that said form so they can write it out on my behalf. Yes, I was annoyed by this part - but it did not deter me from getting my dream clinical experiences! I actually had the best ones toward the end due to me knowing the process of my workplace with clinical placements and told the CPO when to apply and that it was a preference that they should consider. I stayed on track and did not defer my graduation by any means. So, definitely consider staying an employee while in school, as this program is doable and was essentially made for working individuals in addition to the perks of a steady income, not having to take out student health insurance, only taking out what's needed for tuition if needing to take out student loans, and being able to have clinicals at your work place which could help you advance at that facility with an NP role. I asked during the interview what clinical areas would be for AC, and I was told: hospitalist, intensive care, and ED. For PC, I had one preceptor for each clinical, but for the specialty I went with everyone on the APP team as they subspecialized and it was cool to have those experiences and learn from them and had a "main" preceptor on paper. If your preceptor is going on vacation and you need another person to fill in a gap of two weeks or so you would have them formally apply with the school CPO with their resume, credentials, etc for legality purposes. The CPO will inform you of that part if its needed. So there is both NPI and OCI - two different experiences, but both in-person. NPI is a course you have to take, but it's classified as "0" credit hours, but need to have to graduate, and only 3 days maximum consecutively. When enrolled in the course you would have this date given to you in the syllabus and correspondence with faculty. Think about NPI being consisted of assessment check-off's. OCI is with on-campus experiences that give you the experience of practical application of skills learned within the didactics, along with presentations (if required by the course), but also think of simulations, standardized patients and workshops. Again, about 3 days consecutively, with information provided by the school faculty and within the program - I had 2 of these at least, and this included the specialty certificate. They are, as in the name, intense. Think of 0730-1600 or 0800-1700. You would have to make sure you are prepared and ready for these as these need passing in order to ensure you have the content down and are successful. Hope this helps.

Hello, The mat plan was just the MSN courses alone, no specialty added. This addition will be in your individualized plan of study after applying for the specialty and being approved. This plan of study can be adjusted if needed. I personally chose endocrinology and yes, super worth it. With the specialty, I was able to learn a whole lot more than what was taught in the core courses with the specialty such as diabetes management. If I could've chosen another specialty, it would be cardiology as these both are strong at least from my perspective. They have a lot more which can be beneficial based on interest and what job you had prior etc. I was able to complete boards while doing the last two courses of the specialty program. It was kinda hectic because I was working, doing clinicals, and applying for a job during this time too. With the job, it required certification and licensing before a deadline. With all that said, it can be done. I actually know someone in my cohort who applied for boards prior to graduation so whenever you finish clinicals is when you can technically apply for boards. As far as how many students in my cohort, I cannot recall as there was a mix between FNP and PC in the core classes for most of the MSN program. In addition, if you were ever interested in DNP study, you can apply very easily while in the MSN and still have the ability to apply for boards as well and work as an NP during this. It only requires essays (about 2-3), and an advisor recommendation. This can also extend coverage for the specialty certificate to be covered by federal financial aid. Duke's programs, are the best. I am biased as I did all my nursing education with them. It gives you that edge over others for sure as both myself and a fellow MSN graduate work at major hospitals. Another point that's different - for pharmacology, you get taught by a pharmacist - this was intense but a great knowledge base to have!! I truly enjoyed my experiences on and off campus. You can also be apart of everything Duke has to offer, not just the medical campus. For instance, I participated in camp out which was a lottery system for season Duke basketball tickets - I won- it was so much fun. You can do this whole process in year 2. The alumni network is amazing and there's a Duke affiliation in various states along with events you can attend and they are very nice!! In the end: You make the experience worth it. Definitely NOT a degree mill or a suitcase school.

Hello, So when I applied initially for the MSN program for primary care Spring 2022, I got accepted/paid deposit around 9/17 and I got an email about my advisor and sample matriculation plan 10/12. This was three years ago, but it'll give you some idea of a timeline. You would have to make up your own personal one with your advisor as you put together a plan of study. There's a program you use that's within DukeHub. They will prove instructions and it'll guide you through the program. They will break it down by semesters, and it's 2 years with Spring, Summer Term 1, Fall, Spring (7 terms). So expect Spring 2028 for graduation if you're not adding in a specialty certificate. If adding a specialty certificate, they start in Spring and finish in Fall. If interested in those, I would highly suggest doing so while you're in MSN, as you'll get financial aid via federal loans to pay for it at the beginning otherwise you will have to pay out of pocket, do a payment plan (which was like $3k a month x3-4, or take out a private loan such as via Sallie Mae. I would apply early for those speciality interests as they can fill up fast. I applied the first semester and ensured I got admittance into the Spring semester I was graduating in (as you have to have pre requisites of N595 and N596 first). Oh and another thing that's super helpful to know: if you're working full time or are luckily under 26 to be on parents health insurance plan, keep that and waive the school insurance. It'll save $4k. This new school insurance company you kind of have to stay firm with them because they will deny you fast even when you have coverage with Duke facilities (ensure you have proof laid out and ready!) Also waive the health fee by emailing student health saying you are an "online student living > 50 miles from campus.” Do this EVERY semester! It'll shave off $300-$400 each semester. As for tuition, I paid $11k each semester back in 2022. It had changed to $15k per semester as of late per this document: https://nursing.duke.edu/academic-programs/msn-master-science-nursing/tuition-fees-msn Financial aid will be reaching out with what you're eligible for to accept with student loans, grants, and or scholarships. This will also be mapped out in DukeHub. I can share my primary care sample mat plan so you can have an idea: AGNP-PC- Spring 2-15-2021.pdf

So it appears this changed slightly, taking out the 622 requirement, added more credit hours to the clinical portion from 3-4 to 5 for most of the clinical hours, changed a course name by adding a letter to it for the AC major portion: https://nursing.duke.edu/academic-programs/curricula/msn-agnpac

This is the curriculum. I boxed in the difference between primary care and acute care here. I'm completing the PGC for AC starting Spring 2026. I completed the PC track MSN with a specialty certificate add on. First two semesters are chill. I worked throughout the whole program so its definitely possible. It ramps up when you head into pathophysiology and pharmacology. In grad school 6 credit hours is "full time.” I had a maximum of 7 credits at a time for nursing though due to some classes being 4 credits versus 3. They'll give you an advisor and you'll complete a plan of study and have this for when you register for classes.

I am waiting on the financial aid package before submitting those pieces.

you usually start within the MSN program, receive that degree, then move onto the DNP portion.

Hi all, I also got admitted! I am a Duke alumnus, graduated from the ABSN program, and coming back for the MSN- AGNP primary care track! ?

I was waitlisted initially, but they sent me and acceptance letter today! A good indicator of acceptance is if the Director of Admissions sends you the email instead of the Admissions Officer.

I have seen multiple schools accept people into the program in which it is contingent on them completing those last requirements before the program starts/the cohort matriculates. As far as the idea of when Duke Days and Decisions will be out, I think that your idea of them sending out a decision before the open house event may be a possibility because I kept seeing March on my correspondence with Duke. However, I also know that the massive snowstorm in January affected their admissions selection process by a week, which could've changed them carrying out the March decision, making it fall onto April. Let us all see what tomorrow brings. Fingers crossed.

@HopefulNP123T, Invites for the HEA II interviews were given out the first week or so of February. These interviews were then completed by the 22nd..í ½í¸¬ I, too, was also scared about the interviews thing because the email sent by Ben was misleading (saying last week of January hearing back). However, it seemed as though only 50 people were given interviews!