History of Duke University School of Nursing
In support of James Duke’s original vision, the Duke University School of Nursing has maintained a commitment to achieving excellence. Since the first nursing students were admitted to a three-year diploma program in 1931, the school has remained on the forefront of nursing education, practice, and research. Historically, the school has been a health care leader, first awarding baccalaureate degrees in 1938, establishing the bachelor of science in nursing degree in 1953, and initiating one of the first nursing graduate programs in 1958. Today, the School of Nursing remains a national leader in nursing education, offering the the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing degree (ABSN), master of nursing degree (MN), the master of science in nursing degree (MSN), two doctoral programs (the Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, and the PhD in Nursing), and post-graduate and specialty certificates.
With a mission to advance health equity and social justice through transformative excellence in nursing education, clinical practice, and research, the School of Nursing leads across categories in the US News and World Report's 2025 graduate school rankings, ranked #5 overall for Best Nursing Schools: Master’s (achieving a #1 ranking across six MSN specialty programs) and ranked #2 overall for Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (with a #1 ranking for five DNP specialty programs).
In addition, the School of Nursing is recognized as a leader in nursing education and research across a range of external measures, including awards for longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging: a Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award (Insight into Diversity, 2021) and the award for Best School of Nursing for Men in Nursing from the American Association for Men in Nursing for ten years running. The school is also consistently among top-ranked schools for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
More than 1,200 students are now enrolled across the School’s innovative degree and certificate programs. The DNP and MSN programs are offered in online and distance-based formats to meet the needs of students located across the US and around the world.
Through innovative teaching as well as through collaborative academic-clinical partnerships, the School remains dedicated to improving access to care; providing high-quality, cost-effective care; and preparing the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.