Duke University School of Nursing

What Duke University School of Nursing does

Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) is a private, non-profit academic institution within Duke University, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, offering nursing education from pre-licensure through doctoral levels. Its core academic products include the Master of Nursing (MN) pre-licensure program, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with multiple specialty tracks (nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner, nurse innovator/entrepreneur), and PhD in Nursing, supplemented by specialty certificates and post-graduate certificates. The school's #1-ranked Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program (U.S. News & World Report) and the partnership with Duke University Health System (#1 ranked hospital in North Carolina) are core competitive anchors.

The school operates through a network of specialized centers and offices: the Center for Nursing Discovery (CND) — the only accredited nursing simulation center within Duke University Health System; the Ruby L. Wilson Center for Nursing Science & Innovation, organized around four research pillars (health innovation, population health, precision health, data science) including a Health Statistics and Data Science Core; DANCE (Duke Advancement of Nursing, Center of Excellence) for professional development; D-CHIPP for community health improvement; IPEC for interprofessional education; and OGACHI for global and community health initiatives across Africa, Caribbean, Central America, and Asia.

Revenue is generated through four streams: tuition and fees across degree programs, federal research grants (NIH, NINR) supporting faculty research and postdoctoral training, philanthropy (e.g., Made For This campaign, Cullman Foundation Scholarship), and program-specific fees for global clinical immersion experiences ($3,000–$5,250), visiting scholar programs ($2,500 minimum), and clinical observation programs ($2,500 for two weeks). The customer base spans career changers with non-nursing bachelor's degrees, practicing RNs seeking advanced practice degrees, nurse scientists (postdoctoral), Duke University Health System nurses, international students and scholars, and rural North Carolina communities served through research and outreach. Distribution is via direct academic admissions supported by an Office of Admissions, supplemented by event-driven engagement (research symposiums, AI webinars, mentorship events) and community-led channels through global clinical immersion alumni networks.

Name

Duke University School of Nursing

Legal name

Duke University School of Nursing

Website

https://nursing.duke.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Duke University School of Nursing is a private, non-profit academic institution within Duke University that offers pre-licensure through doctoral nursing programs (MN, MSN, DNP, PhD) and operates ten specialized centers focused on simulation, nursing research, global health, and community engagement. It serves prospective nurses, practicing RNs, nurse scientists, and international scholars from its Durham, NC campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

Keywords

• Nursing education
• Graduate nursing programs
• Nursing research
• Clinical simulation training
• Global health immersion

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from tuition for various nursing programs including Master of Nursing (MN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD programs. Additional program-specific fees apply.
2. Federal Financial Aid and Scholarships: Federal financial aid and institutional scholarships help make nursing education accessible. The Cullman Foundation Scholarship specifically supports students in global health and clinical immersion experiences.
3. Research Grants: Funding from organizations like NIH, National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and other federal agencies supports faculty research initiatives and postdoctoral training programs.
4. Philanthropy and Donations: The school receives charitable contributions through its giving campaigns (e.g., Made For This - The Duke Campaign) to support nursing education, research, and student scholarships.
5. Global Clinical Immersion Experience (GCIE) Fees: Fees charged for global clinical programs ranging from $3,500 to $5,250 for ABSN students, with additional out-of-pocket expenses for graduate students ranging from $3,000 to $4,500.
6. Visiting Scholar Program Fees: International visiting scholars pay fees with a minimum of $2,500 for eight weeks or less, at a weekly rate of $300/week. Clinical observation programs charge $2,500 for two-week durations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Duke University School of Nursing is a higher-education institution that delivers nursing academic programs from pre-licensure Master of Nursing through doctoral (MSN, DNP, PhD) levels, alongside specialty and post-graduate certificates. It operates research centers, a simulation-based learning facility (Center for Nursing Discovery), global clinical immersion programs, visiting scholar appointments, postdoctoral and summer research fellowships, and community and interprofessional education initiatives supporting nursing science and practice.

Product overview

Duke University School of Nursing is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic nursing programs including undergraduate-to-doctoral degrees (MN, MSN, DNP, PhD) and continuing education certificates. The school operates through specialized centers and institutes focused on simulation-based education (Center for Nursing Discovery), nursing research (Ruby L. Wilson Center for Nursing Science & Innovation), professional development (DANCE), community health (D-CHIPP), and interprofessional education (IPEC). Additional offices manage global health initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and academic innovation. The school also offers research fellowship programs and international clinical immersion experiences at partner sites worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Nursing (MN) Pre-licensure Master of Nursing degree designed for individuals with non-nursing bachelor's degrees seeking entry into the nursing profession, emphasizing rigorous training, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Advanced practice nursing degree programs for nurse practitioner specialties, nursing education, health informatics, and nursing leadership.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Clinical doctorate merging high-level care with advanced expertise for practice leadership, including specialties such as nurse anesthesia, nurse innovator and entrepreneur, and multiple nurse practitioner tracks.
• PhD in Nursing Research-focused doctoral program emphasizing innovation and evidence-based healthcare solutions, preparing nurse scientists for academic and research leadership.
• Specialty Certificates Add-on nursing specialty programs for MSN or DNP students to gain additional specialized knowledge.
• Post Graduate Certificates Specialized post-graduate certificate programs within offered majors for individuals who already hold a graduate nursing degree.
• Summer Research Fellowship Fellowship program for undergraduate nursing students providing early research experience and mentorship under DUSON faculty.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Advanced training program for nurse and healthcare scientists focusing on chronic illness trajectories, health promotion in vulnerable populations, genomics integration, and clinical innovation models.
• International Visiting Scholars Program Mentored research experiences for international scholars at pre-doctoral and doctoral stages offering collaborative research opportunities with School of Nursing researchers, including visa support, housing assistance, and course participation.
• Global Clinical Immersion Experiences (GCIEs) International clinical experiences in Africa (Tanzania, Rwanda), Asia (Philippines), Caribbean (Barbados), and Central America (Guatemala, Honduras) providing students with diverse hands-on clinical rotations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35% projected job growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners between 2024 and 2034 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Duke University Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuke University Health System provides unparalleled clinical experiences for nursing students. Students learn from providers at the #1 ranked hospital in North Carolina according to U.S. News & World Report. The partnership enables hands-on clinical training across the lifespan of care and supports research collaboration between school faculty and health system nurses.
• Bugando Medical Center (Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral, consultant and university teaching hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania on the shores of Lake Victoria. Partnership provides clinical opportunities for MSN Clinical and DNP students, particularly in oncology nursing with Dr. Kristin Schroeder, a Duke Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist.
• Kilema Hospital (Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict Designated Hospital in the Moshi region of Tanzania serving catchment of over 228,000 people. ABSN students complete clinical rotations under hospital staff supervision in reproductive health, pediatric immunizations, HIV/AIDS, and community health assessments.
• Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian university in Moshi, Tanzania offering a three-year undergraduate nursing program. Partnership provides MSN Non-Clinical students opportunities to work with faculty as mentors for classroom teaching.
• Machame Lutheran Hospital (Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner150-bed general medical-surgical community hospital near Mt. Kilimanjaro serving the greater Kilimanjaro area. MSN Clinical students work collaboratively with healthcare teams providing care to patients with diverse acute and chronic conditions.
• University of Rwanda - College of Medicine and Health Sciences (Rwanda)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Rwanda's School of Nursing and Midwifery for graduate program clinical experiences. MSN and DNP students work with UR-CMHS faculty and healthcare teams providing supervised patient care.
• University of Santo Tomas - College of Nursing (Philippines)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership spanning over 10 years engaging Duke and UST nursing students in community and public health rotations in both urban and rural settings. Clinical subgroups work together in observation, hands-on experiences, and community health fairs.
• Barbados Community College and Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABSN students registered at Barbados Community College and assigned to polyclinics for observation and hands-on care under supervision. MSN Non-Clinical students also benefit from the Division of Health Sciences partnership.
• Curamericas Global (Guatemala)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Curamericas-Guatemala since 2002 to reduce infant, child, and maternal mortality in highlands of northwest Guatemala. Students work at Casas Maternas centers serving isolated indigenous communities.
• Honduras (Duke University School of Medicine Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVariable-credit course offered in conjunction with Heifer International involving multidisciplinary teams from medical, nursing, PA, pharmacy, and PT programs. Students provide outpatient medical care and health education to indigenous communities.
• Teamwork City of Hope (Tanzania)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Tanzanian initiative providing orphaned children a safe home, education, and medical center. Duke students implement community health principles with children and community members. DNP students have completed projects at this site.
• Rwamagana Level Two Teaching Hospital (Rwanda)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic hospital in Eastern Province, Rwanda with 220-bed capacity. ABSN students complete clinical rotations under supervision, participating in outpatient clinics and community health activities.
• Duke Interdisciplinary Hub for Rural Health Equity PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration involving nursing, engineering (Dr. Jessilyn Dunn), social sciences (Dr. Jessica Sperling), and divinity (Dr. Wylin Wilson). Also coalesces efforts of CTSI, SSRI, Center for Computational and Digital Health Innovation, Bass Connections, Design Health, and community engagement centers.
• DUSON-MURDOCK biorepositorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based biorepository supporting research on biological embedding of social determinants of health. Part of the collaborative research clusters within the Center for Nursing Research.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Washington School of Nursing: Top public research nursing school consistently ranked in the top 5 nationally with major NIH funding and broad program portfolio. Comparable research intensity and program breadth at a public institution.
• Johns Hopkins School of Nursing: Top-ranked research nursing school with similar DNP, PhD, MSN, and pre-licensure programs, plus significant NIH-funded research portfolio and global health initiatives. Direct competitor for faculty, students, and rankings in the elite private R1 nursing segment.
• University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing: Elite private research nursing school with comparable BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs, integrated with a top-ranked academic medical center. Competes head-to-head for students, faculty, and U.S. News rankings.
• Vanderbilt University School of Nursing: Elite private research nursing school with strong advanced practice and DNP programs, plus significant NIH research portfolio. Direct competitor for top nursing students and faculty in the private R1 segment.
• University of Michigan School of Nursing: Top public research nursing school with very large MSN, DNP, and PhD programs and one of the highest NIH research funding totals nationally. Comparable scale and research intensity, with broader program volume.
• NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing: Large private research nursing school with extensive accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs and significant urban clinical partnerships. Comparable scale, urban clinical integration, and aggressive program expansion.
• Columbia University School of Nursing: Top private research nursing school in NYC with similar advanced practice, DNP, and PhD programs, and close integration with Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Comparable in structure, scale, and aspirational student profile.
• Yale School of Nursing: Elite private research nursing school offering MSN, DNP, and PhD programs with strong research focus and YSN/Yale New Haven Hospital clinical integration. Competes for top faculty and doctoral students in the same premium tier.
• Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: Top-ranked research nursing school with comparable MSN, DNP, and PhD programs and ties to a major academic medical center. Closest geographic/regional peer in the Southeast with overlapping research focus areas.
• Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing: Top private research nursing school with comparable MSN, DNP, and PhD programs and substantial NIH research funding. Competes directly for students and faculty in the upper-tier private R1 nursing segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DukeSchoolOfNursing
• Facebookfacebook.com/DukeUniversitySchoolofNursing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/15133817
• Instagraminstagram.com/dukeu_nursingschl
• Xx.com/DukeU_NrsngSchl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Duke University School of Nursing