Washington DC Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
Washington DC, the nation’s capital, is home to some of the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities. The following guide will provide you with important information on the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in the District. The colleges and universities in Washington DC offer students the unique opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in nursing in one of several areas: family nurse practitioner, clinical research administration, nurse anesthesia, and midwifery. Many online and traditional universities, such as George Washington University, feature online undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that provide convenience and flexibility for students.
Quick Facts
- 6 schools with nursing programs in Washington DC are in our database (see below).
- 1 university offers associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 6 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 5 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- 3 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- 3 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs Washington DC
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018
- Catholic University of America
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- Georgetown University (#25)
- George Washington University (#29)
- Catholic University of America (#41 tie)
US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- George Washington University (#25)
- Georgetown University (#32 tie)
- Catholic University of America (#42 tie)
Read below where you will out more about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in the District of Columbia.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Washington DC
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Washington DC nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the DC Department of Health (https://dchealth.dc.gov/).
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Graduate Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^ | # Taking | Net Price^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic University of America | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 88.14% | N/A | $36,585 |
| Georgetown University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 96.30% | N/A | $37,404 |
| George Washington University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $26,749 |
| Howard University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 78.26% | N/A | $20,429 |
| Trinity Washington University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 76.47% | N/A | $15,852 |
| University of the District of Columbia | No | Yes | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $17,676 |
| University of the District of Columbia Community College | Yes | No | No | No | N/A | N/A | 64% | N/A | $17,676 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates are for first-time undergraduates testing between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in Washington DC with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
University of the District of Columbia Community College
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) that emphasizes professional practice across the health continuum. Graduates are prepared to practice in a broad variety of environments, including in health care responses to natural and manmade disasters. Courses in the curriculum include Mental Health Nursing Theory, Clinical Microbiology, and Maternal Newborn Nursing Theory. The majority of nursing courses include lab and/or clinical practicum components. In total, 68 credit hours are required to earn the AASN. UDC Community College also offers an LPN to AASN degree program, while UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences offers an RN to bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program.
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program consists of 120 credits and can be completed in the traditional four years full-time. Part-time study is also permitted. The nursing program consists of both general college requirements in math, science, English, and the humanities in addition to 73 credits of nursing requirements and electives. Nursing majors will complete core coursework covering nutrition and health, evidence-based care, clinical applications, and clinical leadership. Students will gain real-world experience through practicums at affiliated clinical facilities in metro Washington DC, including Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, the Veterans Administration Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
Trinity Washington University
Trinity Washington University allows students to earn a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) by fulfilling degree requirements during the day or on an evening and weekend schedule. The program requires nursing majors to complete general college requirements in the first two years with the junior and senior years dedicated to nursing coursework encompassing psychiatric mental health nursing, health assessment, pediatric nursing, nursing of older adults, and community and public health nursing. All nursing majors are required to complete clinical courses and work at such affiliate clinical facilities as Providence Hospital, National Rehabilitation Hospital, and Sibley Hospital. Students are also encouraged to become active on campus by joining the Student Nurses Association.
Master’s in Nursing Programs in Washington DC
Master’s in Nursing Programs
Georgetown University
Georgetown University confers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in one of five areas: adult gerontology, family nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nurse educator, and nurse-midwifery/women’s health nurse practitioner. Degree requirements vary with students completing between 35 and 45 credits depending on the particular concentration. The Nursing Department also features state of the art technology in its O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center, which allows graduate students to deal with real-world situations in a supervised environment. Students also complete practicums at clinical facilities within the metro area. Graduate students may be eligible for scholarships offered through the Nursing Department and other local and national organizations.
George Washington University
George Washington University offers graduate students the convenience and flexibility of earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) entirely online. Students can opt for one of six programs leading to the MSN in areas such as adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, clinical research administration, health care quality, nurse midwifery, family nurse practitioner, and nursing leadership and management. The program allows for full-time and part-time study, and students may be eligible for scholarships to help fund their studies. In addition to online coursework, all graduate students will find and complete clinical rotations at a medical facility in their area.
Student Reviews
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
George Washington University
2121 I St NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-1000
https://www.gwu.edu/
Student Review: “GWs nursing program was hard but left me feeling very prepared to start working as a nurse. The teachers make classes engaging and are always available outside of class for both academic and personal support and encouragement. It is an accelerated program so the workload is intense and can be overwhelming at times. One of my biggest criticisms of the school is that they do not value students’ personal time and often create mandatory meetings and one-off training on random days you wouldn’t otherwise have to go to campus on which can be very frustrating and challenging if you don’t live nearby (to their Ashburn campus) or are trying to work as well as attend school. The school prepares you well and now being a new nurse I have the opportunity to talk with other nurses I started with from other schools and I discovered many clinical skills that I learned in school but many other schools never taught.” – Student at George Washington University
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. DC Department of Health: https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/NCLEX%20Pass%20Rates%202015-2016.pdf