Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) proudly educates nearly 1,200 nurses who will serve as the next generation of leaders for our profession and change the world of health care. DUSON offers three graduate degree program options including Master of Science in Nursing, PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, a second degree option, is offered to students who already hold at least a Bachelor's Degree in a non-nursing program of study. In 2013, all of the degree programs at DUSON were accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for a 10-year period. In 2020, we saw tremendous growth in or National Institutes of Health-Funded (NIH) research performance. We achieved double-digit growth in terms of both total projects receiving funding and in the amounts awarded with $7.28 million in total NIH-funded grants, and 18 total projects awarded. We also ranked #8 in NIH F31 awards, and #8 in total NIH-research dollars awarded.
DUSON has maintained an average 99 percent NCLEX pass rate and students of our Doctor of Nursing Practice with specialization in Nurse Anesthesia have a 100 percent national certification exam pass rate.
For several years now, we have remained one of the nation's U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) best graduate nursing schools.
Our 2022 USNWR collective rankings are as follows:
- #3 Best Graduate Nursing School
- #4 Best DNP Program
- #1 Master's Nurse Practitioner: Family
- #1 Master's Nurse Practitioner: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- #1 Master's Nurse Practitioner: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- #1 Master's Nursing Administration
- #1 Master's Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric/Mental Health Across the Life Span
- #1 DNP Executive Leadership
In addition, Duke University School of Nursing received top rankings in the 2021 editions of U.S. News & World Report Best Online Graduate School rankings:
- #3 best online nursing school
- #3 best online nursing school for veterans
- #1 Nurse Practitioner: Family
- #1Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric Nursing Program Across the Continuum
- #1 Nurse Practitioner: Nursing Administration/Leadership Program
- #1 Nursing Education Program
In 2020, we were the proud recipient of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. Since receiving our Best School for Men in Nursing awards in 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 DUSON has continued to foster and grow a community of inclusiveness and diversity for all faculty, staff, and students regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, or background.
"Representation matters... especially to underrepresented minorities in nursing. Many years ago, when I was recruited to join DUSON, my first impression upon entering the building was of support for men in nursing. I remember arriving on campus for my faculty interview and upon entering the building, I was immediately comforted after seeing the AAMN's Best School for Men in Nursing Award hanging in the main corridor. I thought this is a place where my uniqueness is not only accepted and welcomed but celebrated."
Michael Cary, PhD, RN
Elizabeth C. Clipp Term Chair in Nursing
Associate Professor