So, You Want to Apply to Nursing School…

Advice from Duke School of Nursing admissions

The U.S. Department of Labor estimated that the field of nursing would experience a job growth of 16 percent between 2014 and 2024, making nursing school an attractive next step for many recent graduates.

Applying to nursing school, as with any graduate or professional program, can be intimidating. But potential applicants shouldn’t self-select themselves out of an education at a top school like Duke. “When I attend events, I find that a lot of people will automatically assume because they don’t have the best grades or enough experience, that they wouldn’t qualify for Duke,” says Ernie Rushing, PhD, director of Admissions for Duke University School of Nursing.

“[But] our comprehensive approach means that we can look at each applicant individually. This is why we ask for personal statements, letters of recommendation and resumes, because they allow us to capture a full picture of who the applicant is and who they aspire to be.”

So how do you increase your chances of being accepted into nursing school?

“Be yourself.”

“[While] academics is a prominent factor in what makes a good candidate for admission at a school like Duke,” said Rushing. “we pride ourselves on a holistic view of each applicant and consider all things, including letters of recommendation, resumes, etc. Nurses are on the front lines in establishing patient health, and we want to clearly see that you understand the direct impact of your work in the community.”

Rushing said one way to show the admissions panel that you are a fit for the program is through your personal statement. “Most of our applicants have strong grade point averages, but a personal statement can make an application stand out,” he said. “We look for statements that clearly tell us who you are, why this program, why this school and why now. The personal statement is where applicants can make a difference.”

The personal statement gives the admissions panel an inside look into who you are, so it’s important that the statement be authentic. “Personal statements that stand out for the admissions panel are ones that reflect how an applicant will improve the lives of others once they complete the program, reflect their previous experience and exhibit thinking of others, serving and helping beyond themselves.”

In addition to the personal statement, Rushing recommends focusing on your letters of recommendation. Duke requires three letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s academic ability, professional competency and personal character. “Ideally, we like to see letters of recommendation from individuals who have the job that you’re looking to grow into, such as a nurse practitioner that does the job that you’re looking to obtain upon completion of the program,” he said.

Rushing also recommends having a resume or curriculum vitae (cv) that emphasizes things you’ve done outside of work. “This is especially important for people who haven’t been in a career long,” he said. “DUSON focuses on leaders of tomorrow, so it’s important that your resume/cv reflects where you’ve taken initiative to do more than simply get the paycheck, such as memberships in professional organizations, participation in research efforts and leadership positions.”

At Duke University’s nationally ranked #2 Graduate Nursing School, we seek a talented, engaged student body that embodies the wide range of human experience and believes that the diversity of students makes the community stronger. As the School of Nursing’s Admissions team reveals, real people are reading your application, and we want to do our best to understand and appreciate the real people applying to Duke.

We are accepting applications, so apply now.