Master’s in Nursing Schools in DC

The nation’s capital can be a good place to take your nursing career to the next level. As a hub of political activity and health care legislation, the rest of the country looks to Washington D.C. as a model for health care. Whether you want to study advanced practice nursing, nursing leadership, or nurse education, there may be a Master’s program in nursing for you in Washington D.C. Take some time to peruse the schools and programs, then contact those that you are interested in for more information.

To complete a Master’s in Nursing, you should plan on earning between 35 and 55 credits. Programs that are based in clinical practice tend to require more credits than programs based in leadership or education. Many Washington D.C. programs are very flexible, allowing you to attend full-time or part-time as it suits your work schedule.

While the majority of your curriculum will likely focus on your chosen specialty, you must first build a foundation of nursing information with courses like Health Policy and Political Processes, Health Technology, and Concepts in Population Health. Nursing leadership and management programs may include classes like Health Informatics & Technology, Health Finance, and Leadership Coaching. To become a nurse practitioner, plan on taking courses like Genetics for Healthcare Providers, Advanced Physiology, and Lifespan Primary Care. Courses like Curriculum Development and Student Assessment may make up a nursing education degree.

In the District of Columbia, there are number of nursing scholarships that you may be able to use to cover your educational costs. The Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington D.C. awards the Felicia C. Brady Memorial Scholarship. On a nationwide basis, you can look into the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program.

If you are ready to earn your MSN, Washington D.C. has several programs in the area to choose from. Take the next step in both your nursing education and career by finding out more. Submit a request for information to all of the nursing schools that offer the graduate programs you are interested in. The more you know, the better prepared you will be to choose the program that is best for you.

Working With Your MSN in Washington DC

Washington DC is a place rich in history. It is also an exciting place to live and work. There are many different careers here for nurses who have earned their MSN degree, including those of the nurse midwife and nurse practitioner.

Nurse education is an expanding specialty in the District of Columbia. The Washington D.C. Department of Employment Services notes that registered nurses are expected to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. Nurse educators that take on positions within Washington D.C. may help increase the number of nursing graduates.

Since Washington D.C. is an important part of the nation’s legislative process, you may opt to pursue a career in nursing leadership. This may put you at the center of important laws, like a recent move to set specific nursing ratios throughout the country.

As a nurse midwife you can work with women of childbearing age to help improve their pregnancy outcomes and births. Nurse midwives work in many different areas of healthcare, including birth centers, hospitals, and clinics.

As a nurse practitioner you can work with all populations, from pregnancy and birth to the elderly, to prevent, diagnose, and treat various health conditions and illnesses.

If you have questions or would like more information about MSN degree programs or costs, contact the schools you see below.

Nursing Schools in Washington DC

George Washington University
Washington, DC
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

As a nurse in the Washington D.C. area, you likely understand what it means to work in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment. Nursing change often starts in this area before spreading to the rest of the country, which means that you must be willing to learn and work hard to succeed as a nurse. Earning a master’s degree in nursing doesn’t just expand your options in direct practice; it can also help you change the nursing field through education, administration, research, and other specialties.
Living in the nation’s capital may give you access to many resources if you decide to become an advanced practice nurse. The Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia supports nurse practitioners throughout the region. It offers ongoing training, networking events, and information on job openings.

In addition to a variety of professional resources, advanced practice nurses in Washington D.C. can work to the full extent of their education and abilities. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners notes that Washington D.C. provides full scope of practice rights to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

CareerInfoNet notes that many nursing careers are among the region’s 50 fastest-growing occupations. In this list, you can find nurse practitioners, nurse instructors, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. Career growth in this region may provide many promising opportunities for MSN graduates.

Starting a new degree can be daunting, but preparing for it ahead of time can help the process go more smoothly. Depending on the specialty you pursue, you may earn between 30 and 45 credits in an advanced degree. You may complete a higher number of credits if you choose a clinical path, like nurse anesthesia, rather than an administrative path, like nurse leadership. If you make the time to attend school full-time, you may be able to graduate in as little as two years. Part-time students often graduate in three to four years, which allows for more time to find the balance between work, school and your personal life.

Nursing informatics is one of the newest and fastest-growing MSN specialty fields. It involves combining nursing skills with an intensive knowledge of technology for information processing. As a nursing informatics specialist, you may take classes like Database Systems in Health Care, Health Information Exchange Standards, Health Information Technology, and Cognitive Informatics in Health Care.

If you’re interested in educating the next generation of nurses, consider a Master’s in nursing education degree. This curriculum may include advanced courses in nursing care as well as education theory. You may take classes like Innovations in Clinical Teaching & Evaluation, Educational Program Evaluation & Accreditation, Qualitative Assessment & Evaluation Strategies, and Role of the Nurse Educator. Your practical hours in this degree may be spent in undergraduate nursing courses, acting as an instructor or adjunct professor.

Nurse practitioner students may spend most of their time in clinical courses, since it’s important to be able to work with patients independently. NP courses include Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care, Perinatal Care Patients, and Primary Care Management.

Living in the capital of the United States may give you the opportunity to apply for many regional and national nursing scholarships. There are quite a few grants and scholarships offered by specific schools. Options include the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship and the Nurse Loan Program. The Health Resources and Services Administration hosts the NURSE Corps Scholarship program, which may be an option if you are willing to work in a high-needs area after graduation.

Nursing salaries are dependent on which career path you choose, In Washington D.C., salaries tend to be similar to or slightly higher than national averages.

Are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level? An MSN program can give you the skills and knowledge you need to fulfill your potential. Contact the schools in D.C. that offer Master’s in Nursing programs to begin.

Washington DC RN to MSN Bridge Programs

The nursing field is one of the most prominent and fastest-growing in the country, particularly with changing health care laws taking effect all around the United States. In Washington D.C., the need for nurses is particularly great. Master’s prepared nurses are in high demand, since they have the training and education needed to influence nursing policy and apply high standards to nursing care. If you’re interested in influencing nursing care at a higher level and you have a registered nursing degree, consider earning a Master’s degree in Washington D.C.

You can find a full listing of RN-to-MSN bridge programs in D.C. on our site, and we recommend contacting those schools you are interested in for program details.

RN to MSN bridge programs in Washington D.C. tend to last about three years. You may spend the first year in your program catching up on BSN-level courses in leadership, policy, and advanced care. The second part of your bridge program will focus on master’s degree courses.

You may take courses that are specific to your chosen Master’s degree nursing specialty. For example, in an advanced nursing care specialty, you may take clinical courses that teach you how to take on a bigger role in patient care. In leadership courses, you may discover how to be an effective leader in your place of business. Nurse education specialists learn how to effectively teach nursing students at different levels.

The courses you take depend on which degree program you choose and which school you select. Courses that are often expected of all RN-to-MSN nursing students include Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Concepts in Population Health. As an aspiring nurse practitioner, you may take courses like Genetics for Healthcare Providers, Advanced Pathophysiology and Physiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Lifespan Primary Care. In a health care leadership or health care quality program, courses you may be required to take include Health Care Quality Landscape, Patient Safety Systems, Quality Improvement Science in Health Care, and Management Skills in Health Care.

In Washington D.C., there are many nursing scholarships that you can apply for to take your nursing education to the next level. Look into graduate nursing scholarships available at the local, national, and school-wide levels. For example, on a school-specific basis, you may apply for scholarships like the Clinical Scholars Program. Other scholarships available on a school-wide level include the Nursing Workforce Diversity Scholarship, the Rural/Underserved Initiative Scholarship, and the Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Traineeship Program. The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program offers scholarships and loan repayment assistance to students that are willing to work in an in-demand area after graduation.

The Board of Nursing in Washington D.C. oversees licensure for advanced nursing professionals. You only need an advanced license in certain professions. For example, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives in Washington D.C. may need to get an advanced RN license to work in their chosen field. In other fields, you simply need a valid registered nursing license. Be sure to keep up with your continuing education hours to keep your license valid.

In general, nursing salaries in Washington D.C. are on par with the national average. In many cases, average salaries in Washington D.C. are actually higher than the national average!

Earning your master’s degree in nursing may have a positive effect on your job outlook, your income potential, and your career fulfillment. Not only can this job be extremely professionally rewarding, it may help you make a difference in the nursing field. With a master’s degree, you may contribute to nursing research, lead nurses in your area to higher standards, or teach aspiring nurses. Contact Washington D.C. RN-to-MSN bridge programs to get started!

Washington DC Direct Entry MSN

If you are interested in earning a nursing degree, Washington D.C. may be the ideal place to continue your education. As the main political hub of the United States, Washington D.C. may give you the opportunity to work in well-respected nursing facilities and learn about health care legislature that affects nurses across the country. A Direct Entry MSN may be the degree you are considering if you have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. If you attend classes full-time, you could graduate with an MSN in as little as 18 months.

The first part of your degree program is fast-paced and demanding, which is why several Washington D.C. schools require you to abstain from work during this time. In the course of one year, you must gain the same clinical experience and knowledge as a BSN graduate. This often requires you to spend over 40 hours per week in class and clinical settings. You may take classes like Health Assessment, Introduction to Nursing Practice Skills, and Complex Health Care.

After earning your RN license, you can start your MSN classes. The classes you take are based on which concentration you choose. There are several clinical specialties, including nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse midwife. Non-clinical specialties include nursing research and nursing education. In a nurse practitioner program, you may take classes like Health Care of the Childbearing Family, Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, and Pharmacology in Advanced Nursing Practice. Education courses include Nursing Curriculum Development, Dimensions of Nursing Education, and Assessment in Nursing Education.

As you may expect, direct entry Master’s in Nursing programs have intense prerequisite requirements. Most Washington D.C. programs require prior coursework in subjects like anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and statistics. In addition, many schools require that these classes not be more than seven years old. If you completed your Bachelor’s degree outside of this window, you may need to retake some courses.

Living in the capital of the country gives you access to a wide variety of federal and regional scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs. You may also be located near national advocacy groups that offer funding to MSN students. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards scholarships to nurses that go into education, leadership, or research. Consider also the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare, which hosts the AACN Student Policy Summit, awards scholarships in executive nursing leadership, and funds other grants. On a federal level, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hosts the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program. This program funds scholarships in exchange for an agreement to work at an in-demand facility.

Although Washington D.C. is not a state, it still has a regional licensing board for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses. The District of Columbia Department of Health protects the health of citizens by strictly regulating the field of nursing. You must keep your RN license active at all times. In addition, if you work in a clinical specialty, you have to meet the advanced licensing requirements of that specialty.

One of the major advantages of working in Washington D.C. is the higher-than-average salary ranges reported by advanced practice nurses.

Becoming a Master’s prepared nurse in D.C. can have a huge impact on the nursing industry—not just locally, but across the entire country. Your practice, research, and discoveries may contribute to nursing legislation that makes the field more productive and evidence-based. Of course, you can also feel good about the work you do and know that it is helping people live healthier lives. Reach out to the direct entry master’s programs in D.C. that you see on our site to get more detailed program information.

Washington DC CRNA Programs

As a registered nursing professional, it’s likely that you’ve been responsible for the care of thousands of patients over the span of your career. No matter which specialties you’ve worked in or what settings you’ve worked in, you experience is invaluable when it comes to advancing your career in the health care industry. If you understand the value of education and you’re ready to take on more responsibility as a nursing professional, look more into CRNA programs in Washington D.C. You can contact local schools directly from our site to learn more.

Nurse anesthesia is a highly specialized field of nursing that is growing rapidly throughout the United States. Each year, nurse anesthetists administer over 34 million doses of anesthesia to people in the United States. This field requires extensive experience in nursing, a thorough knowledge of pharmaceutical pain relief, and a dedication to each patient’s safety and pain management.

The field of nurse anesthesia is of growing importance throughout the country. Washington D.C. has an incredibly high population density, meaning that many people need access to prompt pain relief at any given point. Nurse anesthetists provide evidence-based, effective, and affordable pain relief options. They may reduce costs for patients and health care facilities.

Are you ready to find out how a career in nurse anesthesia could change your future? Contact CRNA programs in Washington D.C. for more information.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Washington DC

To become a skilled professional in the field of nurse anesthesia, you need thorough training in many areas of the nursing field. Your curriculum should require between 40 and 60 credits, as this field is slightly more demanding than other nursing specialties. The average student graduates in two to three years, although you may be able to complete a part-time program if you want to work full-time.

During the course of your education, you may take a variety of classes. Early in your education, you should take core classes like Health Care Policy and Politics, Statistics for the Health Care Professional, Research for Advanced Practice Nurses, and Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nurses.

Later in your education, you may be expected to take classes like Chemistry & Physics of Anesthesia, Health Assessment for Nurse Anesthesia, Perioperative Technology & Instrumentation, and Principles of Anesthesia. Clinical experience is at the core of this program, since you must be able to work with patients that have different conditions and pain management needs. Over the duration of your program, you should work on no fewer than 550 anesthesia cases. With this experience, you can choose the right practice setting for you and practice your abilities in different specialties.

Of course, to meet these educational requirements, you must first be accepted to a nurse anesthesia program in Washington D.C. You need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing with a graduating GPA of at least 3.0. Nursing experience is also a requirement for admission; most schools in this area require one to three years of full-time experience. You may need relevant experience in fields like critical care nursing, obstetrics, or emergency nursing.

After you have been accepted to a nurse anesthesia program in Washington D.C., you can begin examining your financial aid options. Loans, scholarships, and grants are all options to consider. The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program may be right for you if you’re willing to work in an underserved area after graduation. The Zonta Club of Washington D.C. is another local scholarship resource, providing various nursing scholarships to members.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Washington DC

Upon graduating, you have to follow the proper licensing procedure to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Washington D.C. As you near your graduation date, you can apply to take the CRNA exam through the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. If you pass this thorough exam, you can get your national certification. You must then have your test scores sent to the District of Columbia Board of Nursing. They will look over your educational credentials, ensure that you have your national certification, and then provide you with your local license.

You may want to consider joining the District of Columbia Association of Nurse Anesthetists. In fact, you may even wish to join while you’re still a student. Membership in this organization can help you meet your continuing education requirements, meet up with other advanced nursing professionals, and learn about job opportunities before they hit the public eye. You may also be able to become familiar with the nursing culture and expectations of Washington D.C.

As a nurse anesthesia professional, you may be able to enjoy a positive job outlook as you begin your career. Through 2022, O*Net expects to see a 25 percent increase in nurse anesthesia jobs. If you obtain special training in a nursing specialty, you may be able to increase your earning potential substantially. As you gain experience and seniority, your earning potential may also move up.

Are you ready to find out how a nurse anesthesia degree may help you advance your career? Take the first step today by contacting CRNA programs in Washington D.C.

Forensic Nursing in District of Columbia

In almost every healthcare specialty, Washington DC is an excellent place to be. This highly populated area has millions of patients who need various types of care, including many who travel from nearby states to get access to the best facilities in the country. Furthermore, healthcare legislation begins in Washington DC, giving nurses the chance to lobby for changes in standards, improved patient rights, or increased funding.

As a registered nurse, you may qualify for admission to a forensic nursing program. Washington DC has a solid network of forensic nursing resources and agencies. The Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants is made up of three healthcare organizations in the community. This agency provides direct care to patients who have suffered sexual assault, focusing on evidence-based care and practitioners who can treat patients with the necessary sensitivity. This is just one of the ways in which forensic nursing in DC is taking root. Find out if this is the next step in your career by contacting forensic nursing programs in Washington DC.

Master’s Degree Programs in Forensic Nursing in District of Columbia

Comparing programs is an important step in this process, so consider different schools to ensure you are making a choice that works with your education and experience. A Master’s degree in forensic nursing is a popular choice for many students, as it builds on your undergraduate education and paves the way for licensure in forensic specialties. These options generally take about two years of full-time education.

Another option is legal nurse consulting. Generally, these are certificate programs, rather than Master’s degree programs. For that reason, you may be able to complete your training in about one year. Keep in mind that many nurse consulting schools require a Master’s degree in nursing and extensive work experience in healthcare.

In a legal nurse consulting program, you may take courses like:

  • Legal Theory and Fundamentals
  • Legal Nurse Consulting and Risk Management
  • Case Analysis for Personal Injury and Compensation
  • LNC Role in Discovery
  • Trial Preparation and Forensic Nursing
  • Medical Malpractice

If you want to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, ensure that you choose a program with specialized training in this area. To become certified, you need at least 40 hours of sexual assault examination training.

When it comes to certification, forensic nursing requirements in Washington DC differ between organizations. The Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification oversees Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification in addition to Advanced Forensic Nurse certification. The only official nurse consulting certification in the United States is offered by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants.

The Role of Forensic Nurses in District of Columbia

One of the benefits of working in forensic nursing is the fact that you can work for government agencies, advocacy groups, and private healthcare organizations. In fact, you may switch roles several times throughout your career to make the most of your qualifications.

Regardless of how you decide to use your skills, look into professional organizations like District of Columbia Forensic Nurse Examiners. This organization provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Through training events and networking events, you can stay on top of legislative changes, meet with experts in your field, and learn new ways to contribute to this area of study.

This is a great time to learn how to become a forensic nurse and develop the skills you need to help victims deal with trauma. Get ready for the next step in your education now by reaching out to forensic nursing schools in Washington DC.

Clinical Nurse Leader Degrees in Washington D.C.

Until you get started in a health care setting, it’s difficult to know what role you’ll play in your nursing career. If you’ve found that other nurses turn to you for advice or expect you to take charge when a situation becomes complicated, you may have the natural leadership skills needed for Clinical Nurse Leadership.

Nurse leadership is more important than it has ever been before, thanks to the huge amount of retiring nurses in Washington DC. In VA hospitals in this area, 10% of all nurses have retired in the last few years, leaving a huge gap in care (NBC Washington).

As this industry continues to evolve, you may see the focus shift to leadership and management. The Institute of Medicine released a progress report on the future of nursing, in which they noted that nurse leadership is a priority in this industry (Nurse.com).

As a leader, you can improve care all over Washington DC. Find out how by contacting Master’s in nurse leadership programs in Washington DC.

How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Washington DC?

The path to Clinical Nurse Leadership begins with a Master’s degree from an AACN-approved college or university in Washington DC. These graduate programs require, on average, four semesters of study and 36 credits. During this time, you’ll explore leadership skills and techniques that make use of your clinical experience and theoretical nursing knowledge.

The primary goal of this program is to expand your clinical skills, give you the confidence you need to take on a more independent role in care, and establish you as a leader in the health care industry.

Each graduate program sets its own admissions requirements and curricular standards, but all programs must be aligned with the standards of the AACN. Some of the courses you may take include:

  • Nursing Leadership
  • Health Information and Technology Throughout the Health Care System
  • Evidence-Based Practice for Health Care Researchers
  • Leadership Coaching in Nursing
  • Health Care Quality Processes
  • Biostatistics
  • Health Care Enterprise

Although this degree does pay particular attention to clinical work, it does address learning goals in other areas of nursing. You may develop your knowledge in areas like healthcare finance, nursing research methods and analysis, ongoing trends in nursing, and leadership methods in the health industry.

Before you can qualify for Clinical Nurse Leadership certification, you must have a valid RN license through the Washington DC Board of Nursing. This involves renewing your license every two years by June 30. With a graduate degree in nurse leadership and a nursing license, you can apply for CNL certification via the AACN. This process requires you to pass a thorough three-hour nurse leadership exam.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?

You may take on a variety of nurse leadership roles and positions, depending on when you graduate and what type of nursing experience you have. Although the scope of practice of a CNL is well-established, this is still a relatively new nursing specialty that is taking root in facilities all over the country.

In Washington DC, many hospitals and clinics have integrated the role of the Clinical Nurse Leader in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and health care agencies.

With CNL certification, you may be qualified to take on a range of new duties and professional responsibilities. According to the AACN, Clinical Nurse Leaders establish patient-centered practices that are based in up-to-date nursing evidence. In addition, you may accept more accountability for patient care outcomes. You are expected to be a leader to other nurses on your team, many of whom you may supervise and train.

Collaboration is also expected with other health care practitioners in various specialties. While much of your time may be devoted to patient care, you should also plan on spending a fair amount of time reading nursing research, adapting policies, and educating staff on evidence-based procedures and policies.

It is highly recommended that you get involved in the nurse leadership community, especially since you can become part of the national leadership community while living in Washington DC. The American Association of Nurse Executives is one of the largest nurse leadership organizations in the country.

As a nurse leader, you may discover advances in nursing, inspire other nursing professionals, and improve patient care.

Find out how you can get started by comparing Master’s in nurse leadership programs in Washington DC.

Washington DC Research Nursing Graduate Programs

The world of health care has changed tremendously in recent years, perhaps more than any other industry. Doctors and nurses must care for more patients with less time and at lower costs. In order to keep up with these demands, health care professionals rely on a growing body of research that makes it easier for them to do their jobs. If you are ready to use your skills gained in the nursing field to change the health care industry at large, consider a career in nursing research.

Washington DC is perhaps the center of nursing research, due to the number of research facilities, grants, and employers that exist in this area. The National Institute of Health Clinical Center is one of the largest research facilities in the country, and it is located in Washington DC.

Find out what other opportunities may await you by contacting research nursing graduate programs in Washington DC.

DC Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

Different schools have different degree programs for this field of study. A Master’s degree typically only takes two or three years, as it requires between 30 and 40 credits. To earn a PhD, you must spend upwards of five years earning more than 70 credits. Either degree may prepare you for a career in research, but a PhD can also open the door to nursing instructor positions.

Research nursing programs tend to tackle several core areas of study. Coursework centers around the science of nursing, nursing theory, professional development, and research protocols. As a nursing research student, you may take classes like Nursing Inquiry and Scholarship, Responsible Conduct of Research, Instrumentation and Measurement, Multivariate Statistics, Interpretive Data Analysis, and Advanced Statistics in Nursing Research.

You should also anticipate completing several clinical research nursing rotations. During these rotations, you may participate in several types of nursing research. If you are a PhD student, you may also complete teaching experience courses.

There are often many financial aid options for both Master’s degree and PhD students in Washington DC. Since you are studying nursing research, you may be able to participate in a research assistantship. This allows you to get practical experience in the research world while earning money for your educational costs. Teaching assistantships are another popular option.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in DC

One of the most exciting parts of working as a research nurse in Washington DC is the abundance of employers and research opportunities that exist in this area. The federal government commissions quite a bit of medical research through events like the recent White House Conference on Aging. Opportunities like this one may allow you to be part of research that defines national policy. Of course, you may also find job openings at hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and other health care employers.

Your current nursing experience and education may pave the way for many new career opportunities. Learn more about what you can do in the field of nursing research by requesting information from nurse research programs in Washington DC.

Washington DC Certified Nurse Midwife Programs

As maternity care represents a significant portion of our country’s healthcare dollars, it is no surprise that there are a growing number of programs for clinical nurse midwives. Nurse Midwives treat women from puberty to menopause. They do physical exams, often prescribe and administer medications depending on state law and clinically follow women through their pregnancy to the birth of their infant and the postpartum time.

If this advanced nursing career interests you, contact the schools offering Certified Nurse Midwifery programs in and around D.C. that are listed on our site to get more information.

The District of Columbia Nurses Association supports nursing professionals, and they provide continuing education opportunities as well as networking. They may be a good resource for you as you enter a graduate nursing program to advance your career.

Certified Nurse Midwife Programs in Washington DC

The Washington DC Board of Nursing considers nurse midwives to be advanced practice registered nurses. To complete your application for licensure you must list all colleges you have attended and your degree, any credential with a name of the credentialing body, and you must list any professional licenses from other jurisdictions.

In addition to completing a graduate midwife program, CNMs must complete a year of training with a preceptor to get their CNM license. The following areas are part of a typical midwifery preceptorship:

  • Caring for and managing the normal obstetrical patient
  • Performing minor surgery
  • Initiation and management of local anesthesia
  • Newborn care
  • Postpartum care
  • Medication/Pharmacology
  • Family planning services

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Washington DC

Washington DC has a local campus based midwifery program at the George Washington University. In addition, there are accredited online nurse midwife programs available from Frontier Nursing University and Georgetown University. Request information from each of these schools to learn more about admissions, curriculum and costs.

The admission criteria for most CNM programs includes a BSN degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA, final transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a current resume or curriculum vitae and a scanned copy of your RN license.

The nurse midwife curriculum is typically around 47 semester hours including 25-30 credit hours of professional core courses and approximately 20 credit hours of midwifery specific courses.

Some of the classes you can expect to take in a nurse midwife program include:

  • Concepts in Population Health
  • Nursing Leadership
  • Healthcare Policy, Quality and Political Processes
  • Evidence Based Care and Practice for Health Care Researchers
  • Biostatistics for Health Care Researchers
  • Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing
  • Primary Care of Women
  • Comprehensive Antepartum Care
  • Midwifery Practicum
  • Comprehensive Perinatal Care
  • Integrated Midwifery Internship
  • Evidence Based Practice Project
  • Advanced Nurse-Midwifery Role Development

Upon graduation you will be ready to take the CNM credential exam offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board, which is recognized in all 52 states. This is considered the gold-standard in nurse midwifery as it proves you have met the criteria for safe practice. The cost is $500.

If you require assistance with finances for your tuition, complete a FAFSA application, to see if you qualify for grants or loans for school, based on your income. George Washington University also gives a large number of need-based grants to nursing students. The National Health Service Corps has a program for Certified Nurse-Midwives that helps pay tuition, fees, and a living stipend in exchange for two years of work at an NHSC-approved site in a medically underserved community.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Washington DC

If you are ready to learn more about how to enter this challenging, yet highly rewarding career, contact the schools on our site to learn more. You will be choosing a career that may offer you room for advancement, a steady income, and a professional role within the world of nursing and women’s health.

Washington DC Clinical Nurse Specialist

There are many benefits of working in the health care field of Washington DC. As health care legislation changes throughout the country, you may find that Washington DC is at the center of it.

As a registered nurse in the District of Columbia, you may have the chance to implement new legislation, see how it affects your patients, and find positive ways to impact the field of health care. Becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) can give you an even bigger platform to influence change in nursing.

To find CNS programs in DC, simply contact the schools listed on our site. You can request program materials, then compare you option to decide which DC area nursing program can best meet your needs.

Clinical nurse specialists use their extensive knowledge of the field to impact change via research, education, and practice. They can create policies and protocols that tackle major problems in medical settings, like the spread of infection and poor patient outcomes. If you’re excited by the prospect of positively influencing the world of nursing, find out more about clinical nurse specialist programs in Washington DC.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Washington DC

Completing your education is the first step to becoming a clinical nurse specialist and making your mark on the nursing industry of Washington DC. If you have a Bachelor’s degree with a graduating GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, you may be well on your way to a career in this field. However, you must also use your nursing degree to maintain a valid nursing license and get at least one year of registered nursing experience. This experience may be in a variety of specialties, as long as it helps you work more efficiently with patients.

As a student in a CNS program in Washington DC, you can address the learning outcomes laid out by your instructors and advisors. By the time you graduate, you may be expected to demonstrate clinical leadership, use ethical and evidence-based techniques with your patients, and interpret and implement nursing research in your career.

Meeting these needs requires you to take many high-level nursing courses. In the first couple semester of CNS school, you may take classes like Epidemiology, Ethics for Health Professionals, and Research for Health Professionals. These courses lay the groundwork for more advanced courses like Health Policy Issues, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, Health Care Financing, and Advanced Pharmacology.

Many of your courses should be tailored to your specific area of study or population. For example, an oncology CNS student may take courses like Palliative Care, Supportive Care and Symptom Management for Cancer Patients, and Cancer Genomics.

You may be able to apply for many nursing scholarships and grants as a Washington DC student, particularly if you are willing to explore local and national associations. Many types of financial aid are school-specific, and quite a few nursing schools have extensive financial aid options. The Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare, which is based in Washington DC, has fellowships and scholarships available for advanced nursing students.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Washington DC

It’s important to meet the licensing requirements of Washington DC before you begin working as a clinical nurse specialist. The Washington DC Board of Nursing requires clinical nurse specialists to pass an advanced exam and apply for advanced standing before receiving a license.

It’s time to use your nursing experience and education to change the field of nursing in Washington DC. Learn more about local opportunities by contacting clinical nurse specialist programs in Washington DC today.

Washington DC Public Health Graduate Programs

As the political capital of the United States, Washington DC is the home base for many health care advances and legislative changes. The experience you have gained as a registered nurse in Washington DC may have helped you develop an understanding of major health problems facing the region and the country as a whole. This experience and your existing nursing knowledge may have given you an interest in the growing field of public health.

Washington DC is home to some of the largest nursing organizations in the country, giving you the chance to participate in exciting projects and compete for prestigious awards like the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, which was awarded to a Washington DC-area nurse in 2015.

Find out how you can strengthen the country’s health by learning more about public health nursing graduate programs in Washington DC.

Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Washington DC

Becoming a public health nurse is a big responsibility, since you may be expected to be an educator in the community, the face of nursing in Washington DC, and a leader in any health care setting. To become confident in these roles and develop the skills you need to be successful, you need a Master’s of Science in Nursing with a focus on public health nursing. You may also decide to get a doctoral degree, which gives you the title of doctor and may permit you to pursue teaching and research jobs. A graduate degree typically takes between two and three years, while a doctoral degree usually takes at least five years.

As you look through the curriculum for your program, you may see that you must complete courses in various nursing specialties. Courses that are commonly required of public health students include Program Evaluation, Science of Nursing Intervention, Population Health Informatics, Health Equity and Social Justice, Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, and Public Health Nursing Leadership Roles.

Clinical work is one of the most important parts of this degree program. Your school’s requirements may take you into clinics, government agencies, nonprofit agencies, and seminars, all of which are common of work environments for public health nurses. As you get more and more clinical experience, you should be confident establishing yourself as a leader and speaking out about public health issues that affect your community.

The Role of Public Health Nurses in Washington DC

By choosing to study in Washington DC, you may give yourself the opportunity to use your degree in as many ways as possible, given how important the field of health care is in this area. Public health nurses are often employed by clinics, hospitals, government agencies, and research facilities. One of the largest public health employers in this region is the Washington DC Department of Health.

Job growth in Washington DC mirrors job growth throughout the rest of the country.

As the field of health care changes, the importance of public health becomes more and more apparent. Take advantage of this opportunity by contacting public health nursing programs in Washington DC now.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Washington DC

Across the United States, healthcare policy is an extremely important area of advanced nursing study. It may be most crucial in Washington DC, where policymakers and lobbyists can influence policy on a regional and federal level.

Whether you want to change the landscape of healthcare all over the United States or in your community, you may want to further your education by studying health policy.

Washington DC has changed current policies dozens of times in order to make the Affordable Care Act more practical for residents. A recent study indicated that health reform law has successfully improved access to medical care across high-income and mid-level income groups (Psychiatry Advisor). Ongoing efforts aim to improve accessibility for low-income adults.

Washington DC is the ideal place to take the next step in your nursing career as a policy specialist. Take the first step and request information from Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Washington DC.

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Washington DC

If you plan on working in health policy in Washington DC, you must have an impeccable understanding of healthcare theories, statistics, ethics in policy creation, and factors that contribute to the creation of legislation.

There are several schools in Washington DC that offer graduate-level healthcare policy programs. Typically, these programs are meant to be completed in about two years. Upon graduating, you should have earned between 39 and 45 credits.

Delving into the learning outcomes of colleges in your area, you may discover that each university focuses on slightly different areas of policy. You may want to think about whether you want to work in local, state, or federal policy, and use that decision to guide your school choice.

Learning outcomes may include a thorough understanding of health policy concerns, the people who influence and who are affected by health policies, and analysis of healthcare research and data. You may achieve these goals by performing well in your required coursework.

Washington DC health policy curricula often include courses like those listed here:

  • Ethics and Public Health
  • Principles of Environmental Health
  • Health Policy and Health Systems
  • Health Politics, Governance, and Policy
  • Health Economics
  • Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
  • Methods in Health Services Research
  • Health Policy Leadership

Washington DC has a huge variety of practical learning experiences, so you may want to take advantage of one or more of these opportunities. From government agencies and lobbying groups to nonprofit organizations and politicians’ offices, you may explore health policy from many different angles.

You may want to continue your work as a nurse while working in policy. To that end, renew your license through the Washington DC Board of Nursing by June 30 of every even-numbered year.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Washington DC?

Throughout your education, you should learn about the many ways that nurses influence the creation and implementation of healthcare policies. In fact, you can even get involved as a student through your nursing contacts.

The District of Columbia Nurses Association is extremely active in legislation, contributing to efforts like the Patient Protection Act, the Inclusive Prosperity Act, Medicare expansion, technological advances, and accountability in care.

Your work may focus specifically on the Washington DC area or federal policy. You may rise to federal positions after gaining experience and a good reputation through your local work. Most national agencies are headquartered in Washington DC, including the National Health Policy Forum.

Washington DC has many educational opportunities for you if you’re ready to explore the next stage of your career. Get started now by contacting Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Washington DC.

Hospice Nursing in Washington DC

In the metropolitan area of Washington DC, the need for specialized health care has been growing for several years. Hospice providers in this area enjoy the convenience of an urban area that accommodates travel between patients’ homes.

Every patient in hospice or palliative care has unique needs and expectations that care providers must meet. By earning a Master’s degree in hospice nursing and learning from groups like the Hospice Association of America, you can become a great resource for your palliative care patients and their families.

Learn more about hospice nursing education requirements by contacting graduate nursing programs near you.

Master’s Degree Programs in Hospice/Palliative Care Nursing in Washington DC

A strong background of nursing education and work experience can help you get accepted to a hospice nursing program that is in line with your career goals. To become a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, you need a Master’s of Science in Nursing from an accredited school.

Many graduate programs require a high GPA and excellent recommendations from past nursing professors and employers. You need a current Washington DC nursing license, and many schools require at least one year of full-time nursing experience.

You must prove yourself and grow as a nursing professional as you earn your Master’s degree. Not only are you expected to meet the licensing requirements of Washington DC, you must meet the educational requirements of national certification. The Washington DC Board of Nursing allows you to become a licensed nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist with a Master’s degree and 500 hours of clinical experience.

To become nationally certified, you must begin working as a CNS or NP and earn 500 hours of experience in one year or 1,000 hours of experience in two years (Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center).

Hospice Courses in Washington DC

  • Foundations of Palliative Care
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Chronic Illness Care
  • Leadership and Management in Hospice Care
  • Palliative Care Practicum
  • Spiritual Beliefs and Practices in Hospice Care

The hospice courses offered in certification programs help you become a more compassionate, evidence-based care provider. You may develop your ability to work independently and manage nursing staff, particularly in home care settings. While some of your courses rely solely on theory, many include clinical rotations that may send you to local home care facilities, hospice facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals.

The Role of Hospice/Palliative Care Nurses in Washington DC

The highly populated Washington DC area has many facilities that provide traveling hospice care to patients in the comfort of their homes. Major employers in this area include Capital Caring, Washington Home and Community Hospices, and Joseph’s House.

Patients and families enjoy many benefits when they have medical staff with specialized hospice training. You may be able to answer their questions regarding a patient’s prognosis, level of pain, and pain relief options. You may have the experience needed to respond swiftly and appropriately to situations that require an extensive knowledge of a patient’s wishes.

When the end comes, you may help patients pass peacefully and without pain. In the days and weeks that follow, you can help family members process their grief and begin their own healing.

Are you ready to make a difference in the world of Washington DC hospice?
Discover how you can earn palliative care nurse certification by contacting Washington DC nursing programs on this site.