Duke University (Nursing) - Overview
Duke University
US News and World Report's 2010 - 2011 guide to the best colleges in the nation ranks Duke University within the top 10 national universities for its comprehensive range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs and ground breaking research endeavors.
Duke University also has a ranking within the top 25 schools on the Times Higher Education list of the leading 200 colleges and universities in the world. It is also third on the list of the Princeton Review's "Top 10 Best Value Private Colleges" in the nation.
This prestigious university is located in Durham, North Carolina in the southeastern region of the United States. It was established in 1924 and is known worldwide for its outstanding academics, cutting-edge medical centers, and impressive athletic teams.
School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at Duke University is a "national leader in nursing education" that has accreditation from the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education. Innovative educational practices, advanced technology, and mutually-respectful relationships amongst students and teachers are the hallmarks of the school's nursing programs.
The School of Nursing is also committed to improving access to healthcare, providing quality and cost-effective care, and preparing students for leadership roles in the healthcare field.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) at Duke University
The School of Nursing at Duke University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for adult learners who have earned at least undergraduate degrees and taken pre-requisite courses. This accelerated program incorporates all aspects of a traditional BSN -- with special emphasis on health care needs in the 21st century.
The program can be completed in 4 semesters (16 months) of full-time, on-campus study. It focuses on clinical leadership, culturally relevant care, evidence-based nursing practice, nursing simulation assignments, and virtual and standardized patient experiences.
Upon graduation, students are prepared to acquire licensure as registered nurses and begin professional nursing practice.
Accelerated BSN Program Curriculum
The Accelerated BSN curriculum consists of 58 credit hours including 15 graduate credits and more than 700 hours of clinical experience. It includes several core courses as well as courses in the research and language specialty areas.
The research option includes the Research Methods and Research Utilization courses as well as 1 graduate elective course. Conversely, the language option includes a language elective course in each semester, as well as the Research Methods course.
Outstanding Clinical Training
Nursing students acquire over 700 hours of clinical experience, during which they put theoretical education into practice. They complete their training at a wide variety of clinical and community health sites, as well as multiple sites within the world-renowned Duke University Health System.
Regional clinical sites include Carver Living Center and Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC); Federal Medical Center (Butner, NC); and Wake Med (Raleigh, NC).
Through the Office of Global & Community Health Initiatives ABSN students may gain clinical experience at health care facilities that are located in Honduras, Barbados, Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Jamaica.
Expert Nursing Faculty
Students learn from and collaborate with faculty members who are experts in the field and committed to nursing education, progressive research, and nursing practice.
For example, Associate Professor Helen A. Gordon, RN, CNM has 37 years of experience in the areas of women's health, reproductive health, and global and community health. She has published a variety of articles, books, and manuals about both the clinical and professional aspects of nursing.
Associate Professor Julie V. Barroso, PhD, whose research interests include HIV-related fatigue, has published more than 50 articles. She is also a certified adult nurse practitioner who has worked with HIV-positive patients throughout her career.
Student Life at Duke University
more than 14,000 students with a full-range of social, academic, and support services.
The university has more than 400 recognized student organizations, a wide-array of events, spiritual and religious programs, and a diverse arts program.
Students may also take part in a variety of recreational offerings including aquatics, intramurals, outdoor adventures, and sports clubs. Furthermore, Duke's outstanding, intercollegiate sports teams (the Blue Devils) provide exciting sports entertainment.
Residential Life at Duke University
Campus living allows students to build strong social networks and participate in educational opportunities that enhance classroom learning.
For these reasons, undergraduate students live on campus for the first 3 years of study at Duke. Students may take on leadership roles within the residential community; reside in living-learning communities; and participate in educational, social, and cultural programs.
Excellent Library Services
The 4 branches of the William R. Perkins Library, the University Archives, and the libraries that serve the schools of business, divinity, law, and medicine form 1 of the leading 10 private research library systems in the United States.
Students are ensured of having a comprehensive range of library services at their disposal, including more than 6 million volumes, 18 million manuscripts, 168,000 electronic resources, over 115,000 items in digital collections, and thousands of films and videos.
Financial Assistance at Duke University
Undergraduate students may qualify for several types of aid including Duke-sponsored grants and scholarships, federal grant and loan programs, and federal and Duke University work study programs.
About Duke and Durham
Duke University's picturesque campus includes historic architecture, beautiful gardens, the Duke Lemur Center, and the magnificent Duke Chapel. Although Duke's campus provides many recreational options, students may also venture into the larger Durham community.
Durham, NC includes a wide-variety of recreational opportunities such as the Museum of Life and Science, the American Tobacco Campus, and the Ninth Street Shopping District.
Furthermore, its natural places -- including trails, gardens, and parks -- provide plenty of outdoor recreational options.