ABSN 

Admissions officers can’t stress it enough: The personal statements for ABSN applicants matters. The 16-month accelerated program requires a bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited institution, a 3.0 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale, and a handful of prerequisite classes, including human anatomy and physiology, microbiology lab, basic statistics, and human growth and development. It’s the personal statements however, that allow the applicant to really shine, making the case for their application.  

The personal statements should illustrate the applicant’s qualities and characteristics that might not be evident in other parts of the application, and address “why” the applicant has chosen Duke as the place to pursue their nursing degree. Another important detail to illustrate in the statement is to describe how well the applicant is able to work on a team. Admissions Officers suggest that before pressing the submit button, it’s helpful to share the essays with a friend or colleague who knows the applicant’s unique character and can give positive and critical feedback. 

The ABSN application also requires professional references. In many cases, years may have passed since the applicant was in college, so faculty references are not required or expected. It’s important to know that the status or title of the reference is less important than their relationship to the applicant. References should have something compelling to say about the applicant that highlights personal character and professional or academic strengths and who can attest to the applicant’s readiness to take this next step in their academic journey. Family members and family friends should never be used as references. 

Finally, curriculum vitae’s for ABSN applicants should be concise, one-page summaries. Brevity is important, using bullet points for emphasis. Be sure to include leadership roles, even on sports teams or in volunteer settings, they are relevant and should be included.  

Graduate Programs 

DUSON offers several advanced degrees including Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which includes Healthcare Systems majors and Nurse Practitioner (NP) majors that offer specialty certificates. The school has a separate process for the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program. 

DUSON does not require GRE scores for its graduate school applicants, and like the ABSN program, applicants are assessed holistically, considering their unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic and professional achievement.  

Applicants for graduate programs require licensure and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science or Arts in another field, plus a Registered Nurse (RN) degree.  

Admissions Officers stress that one of the most important things an applicant must show is an understanding of the nurse’s role in the program to which they are applying. Experience helps in that regard, and highlighting that experience strengthens the application. Graduate program applications, depending on the program, have multiple essays. The personal statements offer applicants a chance to expand on their personal, professional, and academic experiences and how they have informed their decision to apply to Duke.  

The webinar offered the following “do’s and don’ts” for the various graduate program application elements: 

Personal statements: 

• DON’T be overly creative or lengthy in storytelling at the expense of clarity. 
• DO write clearly and concisely, focusing on directly answering the questions. 

Curriculum Vitae/Resume: 

• DON’T use lengthy block narratives.  
• DO include and clearly indicate certifications.  
• DON’T include irrelevant content, such as jobs not in health care. 
• DO make sure the information is up to date and accurate. 
• DO shows examples of leadership and scholarship. 

References: 

• DON’T use non-health care references who are unable to speak to the degree being sought. 
• DO use references who know the applicant in a professional capacity and can speak to their preparedness and appropriateness for the degree. 

Three references are required, and admissions officers stress that no more or fewer should be submitted. Professional contacts, former faculty, or healthcare providers who are working with the intended patient populations of the applicant’s degree, make for strong references. Admissions Officers note that the best references touch on these three things: professional competency, academic capability, and personal character. The application form includes a breakdown of the specific requirements should a program have further stipulations for recommenders. 

For both ABSN and graduate programs, applications received by the priority deadlines are guaranteed review, while those received after that deadline may or may not be reviewed, so getting the application in on time helps boost chances of acceptance.