Trinity Bridge Program
Bridge into the Duke University School of Nursing
The Trinity Bridge Program allows students from Duke University Trinity College of Arts and Sciences to transition into the School of Nursing Master of Nursing (MN) program during their senior year.
Trinity students interested in the 4+1 Program should contact their advisors during their Freshman or Sophomore year - see Table 1 below.
Table 1. Program Timeline
| Trinity | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman | - | - | - |
| Sophomore | Create goals and matriculation plan with Trinity College advisor and Duke University School of Nursing Trinity Bridge Faculty Advisor (Note: To apply minimum GPA 3.0 is required, see below for other prerequisites that must be completed by Senior year) | - | - |
| Junior | Submit MN application by Fall Deadline; Continue advisor guidance and support | School of Nursing: Monitor progress of goals; Continue advisor guidance and support | - |
| Senior | Trinity: Enroll in 2.0 credits/units School of Nursing: Enroll in N503 Evaluating Health and Wellness (3.0) and N504 Professional Nursing (3.0) | Trinity: Enroll in 2.0 credits/units; Graduate with BA/BS School of Nursing: Enroll in N505 Clinical Management I (4.0), N506 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (3.0) and N507 Physiology and Pathophysiology for Nurses (3.0) | School of Nursing: Enter the second semester of MN full-time curriculum |
| Fifth year | School of Nursing: Third semester of MN full-time curriculum | School of Nursing: Fourth semester of MN full-time curriculum and Graduate with MN | - |
Who can apply to the Trinity Bridge Program?
Any interested undergraduate who meets the criteria for application can apply. The faculty mentors at both schools, along with the student, will review the requirements for the Trinity degree and the Duke University School of Nursing MN program to determine if the student meets the requirements for the application into the School of Nursing MN program. All applicants must go through the same application process and be accepted into the School of Nursing MN program. It is recommended that the students make their intent known as soon as possible to ensure all requirements for admission are completed. Applicants who have not gone through the advisor may still apply but should contact the advisor at Duke University School of Nursing and Trinity as soon as their intent is known.
The Duke University School of Nursing MN application will be completed in the Fall semester of the Trinity student’s Junior year. Applicants will receive notification of acceptance in March (Spring semester).
International students should contact International Services regarding requirements for visa extensions.
Curriculum Integration
Trinity students accepted into the Duke University School of Nursing MN program will integrate into the program in the Fall of their senior year. The Trinity Bridge Program Faculty Advisor, Dr. Ernest Grant (Ernest.Grant@Duke.edu), will communicate with the Trinity College advisor to ensure students are within course loads. The Bursars/Financial Aid Office will also be contacted to ensure students are within expected course loads to remain eligible for financial aid. In addition to courses required by Trinity College, students will take courses as shown in Table 2 below.
Students will take two nursing courses in the Fall and three nursing courses in the Spring of the senior year at Trinity College. Permission numbers from course faculty or the registrar are required. The Duke University School of Nursing MN Trinity Bridge Faculty Advisor will assist in obtaining permission numbers. In the summer semester, immediately following graduation, students will enter their 2nd semester of the School of Nursing MN program. The student will then be full-time in the School of Nursing MN program with an expected graduation date of Spring the following year.
Trinity students enrolled in N503 or N505 clinical rotations will be assigned to Duke Hospital facilities whenever possible. If an outside facility is used, students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from the facility.
Table 2. Curricular Integration Plan
These course are taken in addition to the 2 Trinity credits/unites in the Fall and Spring Semesters.
| Trinity Calendar | School of Nursing Courses | Credit/Units | Class Schedule/Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Senior year Fall | N503: Evaluating Health and Wellness | School of Nursing: 3 credits (2 didactic, 1 clinical) | Wednesday: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Clinical: Thursday Mornings or Afternoons |
| N504: Professional Nursing | School of Nursing: 3 credits | Wednesday: 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm | |
| Trinity Senior year Spring | N505: Clinical Management I | School of Nursing: 4 credits (2.5 didactic, 1.5 clinical) | Monday: 10:45 am - 12:50 pm Clinical: Tuesday |
| N506 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice | School of Nursing: 3 credits | Wednesday: 8:30 am - 10:30 am | |
| N507 Physiology and Pathophysiology for Nurses | School of Nursing: 3 credits | Monday: 8:30 am - 10:10 am |
Duke University School of Nursing MN Faculty Advisor/Mentor Program
The Trinity Bridge Program faculty advisor, Dr. Ernest Grant, will maintain close contact with the student and the Trinity College Pre-Health Advisor. Advising/mentoring will begin as soon as a student identifies as a potential participant. The relationship will assist the student in understanding the professional role of the nurse and integration into the nursing curriculum.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the Duke University School of Nursing MN courses in the Fall semester of the Senior Year.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology minimum of 6 credits
- Microbiology minimum of 3 credits
- Basic Statistics 3 credits
- Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology 3 credits
Financial Considerations and Advising
Financial aid advising will occur from both Duke University School of Nursing and Trinity financial aid offices. Collaboration between the financial aid offices is crucial to ensure the students' understanding of the Bursar's bill once they transition into the School of Nursing MN program. A student's financial aid eligibility will be determined by the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support until graduation from Trinity. Upon graduation, the student will be a full-time MN student, with financial aid eligibility determined by the Duke University School of Nursing Financial Aid office. There are no anticipated additional costs related to the Bridge program. There is an expected benefit to these students that they will have a full year of financial aid available to them once they fully matriculate into the School of Nursing MN program.
Trinity Bridge students will register for the required nursing courses via DukeHub in the second window designated for seniors. Permission numbers will be issued to each student prior to registration for any School of Nursing course, to allow for a smooth enrollment process. Registration and drop/add are available to all students with no outstanding financial or other obligations to the university. Students with outstanding financial obligations must arrange with the bursar's office before registering or attempting to drop/add. Those students who have not paid billed fees owed to, or fines imposed by, the university (such as laboratory fees, library fines, and parking fines) will not be permitted to register until the fees and fines have been paid, even if the student has paid tuition for the upcoming term.
Learn more about the program from staff and students.