Duke University

Duke University’s School of Nursing offers an array of accredited nursing programs designed for aspiring nurses and advanced practice professionals. With CCNE accreditation, the school provides high-quality education in both on-campus and hybrid formats. Known for its commitment to excellence, Duke combines rigorous academics with hands-on clinical experiences to prepare students for successful nursing careers.

Programs Offered

• Accelerated BSN – On Campus, $78,000 total, 16-month program, 93% graduation rate
• DNP – Online + Campus, $95,000 total, 36-month program, 93% graduation rate
• DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – On Campus, 36-month program
• MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) – On Campus, 24-month program
• MSN – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Online + Campus, $72,000 total, 30-month program, 93% graduation rate
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner – Online + Campus, $72,000 total, 30-month program, 93% graduation rate
• PhD in Nursing – On Campus, $140,000 total, 60-month program, 93% graduation rate

Clinical Training & Hospital Partnerships

• Clinical rotations occur within Duke Health (Duke University Health System).
• DUSON coordinates clinical placements via a network and placement coordinators.
• The Center for Nursing Discovery (CND) and Health Innovation Lab provide extensive simulation and skills training facilities.
• Named hospital & health-system partners: Duke University Health System.

Admissions

• For the Master of Nursing (MN) program, the minimum undergraduate GPA is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of C (B– for Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology).
• No TEAS or HESI exam requirements stated.
• Admission follows a holistic review, considering academic measures and qualitative experiences such as leadership and service.
• Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs require an interview and specify a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Schedule & Format Flexibility

• Campus: In-person, regularly scheduled classes.
• Hybrid: Combines online learning with on-campus face-to-face sessions.
• Online: Delivered via online platforms; may include synchronous or fully asynchronous components.
• DNP programs are mostly distance-based with approximately two required on-campus sessions (except Nurse Anesthesia).

Program-Specific Details

• MSN – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Minimum GPA 3.0, holistic review, hybrid format.
• MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner: Minimum GPA 3.0, holistic review, hybrid format.

What to Consider When Evaluating a Nursing School

• Accreditation: Ensure the program holds CCNE or ACEN accreditation.
• NCLEX Pass Rates: Duke’s NCLEX pass rate is 95%, exceeding the national average of 87–89%.
• Clinical Partnerships: Strong clinical partnerships with hospitals and health systems for hands-on experience.
• Student Support Services: Academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and NCLEX preparation resources.
• Career Placement: Partnerships with healthcare employers to facilitate hiring of new graduates.

Pay

The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024 (BLS). Nurses with a BSN typically earn 10–20% more than those with an associate degree. Advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner have a median salary of $129,210, while nurse anesthetists earn a median salary of $223,210.