Katie Duke

Katie Duke is an American board-certified acute care nurse practitioner, keynote speaker, podcast host, and prominent digital content creator. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, before relocating to New York City in her twenties, Duke established herself as an influential voice in modern nursing, healthcare advocacy, and lifestyle media. She is widely recognized for combining professional healthcare expertise with authentic, unfiltered commentary on career transitions, mental well-being, and personal development.

Early Life and Education

Duke began her higher education journey in Missouri, receiving her Associate Degree in Nursing from the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College in St. Louis. Seeking greater career opportunities, she moved to New York City, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the City University of New York Hunter College. She later pursued advanced clinical training at Columbia University School of Nursing, completing a Master of Science in Nursing to become a Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP-BC). Over her career, she has accumulated more than two decades of clinical experience in fields such as emergency medicine, cardiology, cardiac surgery, and telemedicine.

Television and Digital Media

Duke gained initial national media exposure as a featured emergency department nurse on the ABC documentary television series NY Med, as well as its follow-up docuseries NY ER. Her television appearances established her as a public figure advocating for greater understanding and respect toward frontline medical staff. Expanding her media presence, Duke launched the Bad Decisions podcast, where she hosts transparent discussions about career setbacks, life lessons, and overcoming failure. Through her digital platforms, she creates content blending healthcare insights with fashion, home, and lifestyle topics, focusing on women navigating mid-life transitions and career choices.

Advocacy and Public Speaking

As a public speaker and mentor, Duke has delivered keynote addresses and presentations at dozens of professional, academic, and motivational conferences across the United States. She actively works to dismantle stigmas surrounding non-traditional nursing paths and emphasizes the importance of mental health and work-life balance for medical professionals. In addition to mentoring new graduate nurses and nurse practitioners, she serves on the Healthcare Advisory Board and Advocacy Team for the medical apparel brand FIGS.