Duke University Duke School of Nursing
Established in 1838, Duke University is a private university in Durham, North Carolina. The campus was originally located in Trinity and moved to Durham in 1892. The university has a sprawling campus spread over 8,600 acres on three connected campuses. The main campus includes the 210-foot Duke Chapel, which is in the center of campus. Duke University is regularly recognized as a top university in national rankings. In 2017, Duke ranked 8th in the nation in the US News & World Report ranking of best colleges. It is also on the list of the top ten universities to produce Forbes 400 billionaires.
Duke University offers undergraduate and graduate-level nursing programs that are accredited by the CCNE. The undergraduate programs include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. The graduate programs include MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, Ph.D., and BSN to Ph.D. programs. The accelerated BSN program lasts for 16 months and is designed for students with an undergraduate degree and the prerequisite courses. The accelerated and traditional BSN programs include close to 800 hours of clinical experiences at multiple facilities connected to the Duke University Health System and other healthcare facilities in the region.
Program Length & Format
- Full-time, campus-based, 16 months (four semesters)
- Total credit hours: 58
- Students take between 12 and 16 credit hours per semester
- Program includes 6 credit hours of electives with a graduate credit option
- Clinical credit conversion: 1 credit hour = 56 clinical hours
Admission Requirements
- prior bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
- DUSON-Trinity College Curriculum Bridge available for Duke Trinity College students to transition during senior year
- ABSN program ends Spring 2026 and is not admitting new students
Program Curriculum (credit distribution by semester)
- Semester 1 total: 14 credit hours
- Semester 2 total: 16 credit hours
- Semester 3 total: 16 credit hours (includes a 3-credit elective)
- Semester 4 total: 12 credit hours (includes a 3-credit elective)
- Course examples with credit hours: Nursing 388 (6), Nursing 389 (4), Nursing 474 (5), Nursing 484 (7)
Clinical & Simulation Lab
- Clinical placements at Duke-affiliated hospitals and community sites, including local and global placements
- Center for Nursing Discovery simulation facility; facility described as accredited and endorsed by two international simulation organizations
- Clinical groups kept small (no numeric size provided)
- Community global health immersion trips cited with example countries: Rwanda, Tanzania, Guatemala
Credit Transfer
- Electives may be taken at the School of Nursing or other Duke schools/colleges with instructor permission
- Electives include a graduate credit option for 6 credit hours
Cost & Financial Aid
- Need-based ABSN scholarship available to newly admitted students
- Scholarship awards may cover up to 100% of tuition over four semesters
Contacts
- Assistant Dean: Stephanie Gedzyk-Nieman, DNP, MSN, NC-MNN
- Program code: R-BSN; Degree designation: Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Department: School of Nursing
- Mailing address: Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Accreditations
Nursing Programs Accreditations
- Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Nurse Anesthesia (ANEST) - Institutions and programs at the master's degree, post master's certificate or doctoral degree levels Accredited by Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
Institutional Accreditations
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Nearby Nursing Schools
