Master of Nursing

Program Code: R-NURS-MN
Degree Designation: Master of Nursing
Department: School of Nursing
Website: nursing.duke.edu/academic-programs/mn-master-nursing

Program Summary

The Duke University School of Nursing offers a Master of Nursing (MN) Program as a full-time, campus-based, 16-month program designed for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree in a non-nursing field as well as other prerequisites as a pathway to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Upon completing the MN degree, graduates are eligible  to take the RN licensing exam (NCLEX-RN©) and seamlessly transition into clinical practice. Graduates may also elect to continue their education to become advanced practice nurses, nurse educators, and nurse informaticists.

 The MN Program is completed in four semesters, with students taking between 15 and 17 credit hours per semester. The program includes 6 credit hours of electives with graduate credit. In the MN program, 1 credit hour is granted for the completion of each 56 clinical hours.

Master of Nursing Program Outcomes

Integration of education, clinical practice, and clinical scholarship serves as the foundation for the MN program.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate is able to:

• Contribute to the ethical advancement of nursing scholarship, integrating the best evidence into nursing practice .

• Cultivate a nursing identity demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, social justice, accountability, perspective, and collaborative disposition.  

• Integrate theoretical and empirical knowledge derived from physical and behavioral sciences, humanities, and nursing science to inform clinical judgment as a basis for professional nursing practice.  

• Engage in deliberate and respectful collaborations with multidisciplinary care team members and partnerships to improve equitable health outcomes.  

• Demonstrate adaptability to change, commitment to self-reflection, personal well-being, leadership development, and advocacy for patients and the nursing profession .

• Deliver person-centered care, acknowledging individual uniqueness, values, needs, and resources through advocacy, intentional presence, and individual empowerment, thus creating humanization of wellness and healing.  

• Incorporate quality and safety principles into healthcare delivery to ensure effectiveness at the individual, interpersonal, and system levels through equitable, cost-effective, innovative, and evidence-based care. 

• Use informatics processes and communication technologies to drive informed decision-making.

DUSON-Trinity College Curriculum Bridge

The DUSON-Trinity College Curriculum Bridge provides a unique opportunity for students of the Duke University Trinity College of Arts & Sciences to transition into the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) Master of Nursing (MN) program during their senior year. More detailed information about the Trinity Bridge Program and how to apply may be found on the School of Nursing website.

Academic Requirements

*Electives can be taken at the school of nursing or one of the other schools/colleges at Duke University with permission of the instructor.