Online Nursing Schools in DC: Your Guide to Top Programs
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HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
HealthcareNursingAdv NursingWashington, D.C., is home to several top nursing programs. From associate degrees to doctorates, these programs can help you reach the highest levels of the nursing field. This EduMed guide introduces you to today’s top nursing schools in Washington, D.C., with information on different program types, available financial aid, future salary potential, and more.
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, an active RN wanting to earn a bachelor’s degree, or a nurse wanting to move into academic roles, Washington DC’s universities offer the educational programs you need to meet your academic and career goals. With online nursing programs, the path to getting there becomes flexible, affordable, and manageable.
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What You Need to Know About Online Nursing Programs in Washington, D.C.
Online nursing program options have become commonplace in healthcare education, with top schools around the country offering the full range of nursing credential types in fully-online or hybrid-formatted programs. Those program types include:
- Pre-licensure (ADN, BSN, ABSN, Direct-Entry MSN)
- Graduate (MSN, DNP, PhD, Post-Grad Certificates)
- Bridge programs (LPN to RN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN)
As you review these programs, you’ll discover that some are delivered entirely online with no in-person requirements whatsoever. However, some programs, including all pre-licensure ones, require students to complete clinical practice experiences that must be attended in-person at healthcare facilities in the student’s or school’s local area.
You’ll also find that online content may be delivered synchronously (requiring students to log on and participate in class sessions in real time via live stream) or asynchronously (allowing students to access and complete coursework online at any time.)
Types of Nursing Programs Available in or Near Washington, D.C.
Below are descriptions of each of the nursing program types available in Washington, D.C., today, along with examples of current programs for each. These descriptions will aid you in determining the type that best meets your academic needs and career goals.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Washington, D.C.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Typically offered at community and technical colleges, an associate degree in nursing (ADN) is an excellent option for students seeking to become registered nurses with two years of education and training.
ADN curriculums combine general education and foundational nursing coursework (often presented online) with in-person clinical experiences and, in some cases, campus-based lab sessions. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN leading to registered nurse licensure.
Examples of Washington, D.C., Area Nursing Schools with this Program
University of the District of Columbia
Northern Virginia Community College
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
A traditional bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) program is typically four years (full-time) in length.
Curriculums combine general education and core nursing coursework with substantial clinical practice hours attended at local health care facilities. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and apply for RN licensure.
Because of the expanded curriculums and extensive real-world training of BSN programs, graduates can anticipate greater career options and higher earning potential when compared to RNs with only an associate degree.
Examples of Washington, D.C., Nursing Schools with this Program
Catholic University of America
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs provide students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree the ability to apply the general education credits they’ve already earned for meeting BSN degree requirements. Because these programs focus entirely on nursing coursework, students can earn their BSNs in as few as 18 months.
Examples of Washington, D.C., Area Nursing Schools with this Program
Direct-Entry MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Direct-entry MSN programs are designed to provide students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree an accelerated path to entering the nursing profession as an RN at the advanced practice level.
As with those in traditional MSN programs, direct-entry MSN graduates are prepared to fill positions in nursing leadership and management, as well as specialized clinical practice, often as Nurse Practitioners.
Curriculums combine undergraduate pre-licensure coursework (leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility and RN licensure) with graduate-level specialized nursing coursework. As a result, all online direct-entry MSN programs include extensive in-person clinical practice hours.
By combining undergraduate and graduate requirements, direct-entry MSN students are often able to complete their degree requirements in as little as two years.
There are currently no Washington, D.C., area schools that offer online or hybrid direct entry programs. However, the following programs are available in traditional campus formats.
Example of Washington, D.C., Area Nursing School with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Washington, D.C., for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN programs allow current practical nurses to leverage the knowledge and skills gained in their LPN programs to accelerate their paths to becoming registered nurses.
LPN to BSN programs are often presented entirely online. LPN to RN programs, however, include the in-person clinical experiences needed for NCLEX-RN and state RN license eligibility.
LPN to RN programs are typically completed in one to two years, while LPN to BSN programs commonly require two to four years to complete.
Example of Washington, D.C., Nursing School with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs offer an accelerated path to current registered nurses with a diploma or ADN to obtaining their nursing bachelor’s by applying previously-earned general education and nursing course credits to their BSN requirements.
Since they don’t include clinical hours requirements, many RN to BSN programs are offered entirely online. Typical program lengths are 12 to 18 months full-time and two to three years part-time.
Examples of Washington, D.C. Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN bridge programs provide current registered nurses with an ADN a direct route to earning their nursing master’s without the need to obtain a BSN beforehand. This is accomplished through curriculums that include both advanced undergraduate coursework normally part of BSN programs with master’s-level nursing courses often in a specialized area of nursing practice.
Programs may be fully-online or hybrid-formatted, depending primarily on the area of specialization (some specializations require in-person clinical hours.) Completion times vary from one to four years depending on specialization as well as the student’s chosen study pace.
Example of Washington, D.C. Nursing School with this Program
There are currently no RN to MSN programs offered by nursing schools in the D.C. area.
Advanced Nursing Programs in Washington, D.C.
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Traditional MSN programs are designed for current registered nurses with a BSN degree interested in career advancement into leadership and advance clinical practice roles. Preparation for specialized practice is a key feature of most MSN programs, with popular specializations that include:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Administrator
- Nurse Educator
- Nursing Informatics
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program lengths vary by specialization and study pace, but typically range from 18 months to two years full-time and two to four years part-time.
Example of a Washington, D.C., Nursing School with This Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
Nursing doctorate programs are for nurses intent on filling top-tier roles in the profession.
DNP programs typically prepare students for senior positions in administration and advanced clinical nursing practice, while PhD in nursing programs focus primarily on preparing graduates for scientific research and postsecondary teaching careers.
Content delivery may be fully-online or hybrid, depending on the specific program.
Most DNP students will earn their degrees in three to five years. PhD in nursing students often take three to six years (sometimes longer) to complete all degree requirements, including dissertations.
Examples of Washington, D.C., Area Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Post-graduate nursing certificates provide nurses with a master’s or doctoral degree additional knowledge in a specialized area of nursing practice to expand their professional skill sets and enhance their prospects in the job market.
Post-grad nursing certificate programs are often available in fully- or partially-online formats. Completion times vary depending primarily on specialization.
Examples of Washington, D.C., Nursing Schools with This Program
Howard University
Year after year, Howard University tops lists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Established in 1867, this elite private school is home to a wide range of online and in-person nursing programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
Howard offers a standard BSN nursing program, as well as LPN-to-BSN and fully-online RN-to-BSN degree-completion tracks. Regardless of their chosen undergraduate pathway, nursing students at Howard hone vital clinical skills while taking a forward-looking approach to the profession, developing the ethics and professional standards that promote progress and social justice.
Graduate-level online nursing programs at Howard include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner MSN: Combines 46 semester hours with 720 clinical hours for students to achieve core competencies for FNP practice.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Features both Generic DNP and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)-DNP options.
Catholic University of America
Established in 1887, the Catholic University of America is a private institution whose nursing programs stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best in the country. Nursing programs available at CUA include:
- Traditional four-year BSN and 12-month Accelerated BSN options
- MSN: Complex Healthcare Systems Administration (four semesters)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with both post-bachelor’s and post-master’s options
- PhD in Nursing with standard and BSN to PhD options
- Post-Graduate Certificates in Complex Healthcare Systems Administration, Nursing Education, and four Nurse Practitioner specializations
All of the above graduate options are offered 100% online.
Catholic University students not only have access to a long list of clinical opportunities, but they can also take advantage of the school’s proximity to various federal government agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and National Institutes of Health.
FAQs About Online Nursing Programs in Washington, D.C.
Can I Earn My Nursing Degree in Washington, D.C., Completely Online?
That will depend on the specific nursing credential offered and program offering it.
Several nursing programs are available in D.C. that feature 100% online delivery. But all pre-licensure programs (and a few others as well) include clinical practice requirements that must be attended in-person.
Some hybrid-formatted programs include campus-attended lab sessions, also.
Will Employers Consider My Online Washington, D.C., Nursing Degree Less Valuable?
Absolutely not.
Online nursing programs have become commonplace and are properly considered as equal in quality to their campus-based counterparts. Employers today understand this and do not discriminate against job applicants with a degree or certificate earned through an online program.
Are Online Nursing Programs in Washington, D.C., More Affordable Than Campus Programs?
Tuition rates vary between schools and programs and, in some cases, between online and campus-based program options. So, you’ll have to check the tuition rates and program fees carefully for each specific program you’re considering.
Nevertheless, online nursing students tend to save money over campus-based students in regard to such things as travel costs to and from campus to attend classes.
Funding Your Future: Financial Aid for Washington, D.C., Nursing Students
Whether you pursue your nursing program online or on campus, even the most affordable programs come at a cost. Thankfully, qualifying nursing students can access a wide range of financial aid opportunities, including:
- Student loans and loan forgiveness programs
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Tuition discounts
- Tuition deferment and installment plans
Be sure to contact the financial aid offices at each of the schools you’re considering for detailed information on funding opportunities for which you may be eligible. In addition, it’s worth some time and effort in researching external funding opportunities, like these scholarships sponsored by the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C. Area.
How to Become an RN in Washington, D.C.: Licensing Requirements
If you’ve decided to become an RN in Washington, D.C., there are a few steps you’ll take to get there:
- Graduate from a pre-licensure nursing program. Consider those programs that are approved by the D.C. Board of Nursing and accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Apply for D.C. RN licensure through the Board of Nursing.
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Once you’ve completed all of the above steps in their entirety, you’ll be issued your RN license and able to work as a registered nurse in the District of Columbia. Remember, though, that you will be required to renew your RN license every two years, which includes completion of continuing education hours during each renewal period.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in Washington, D.C.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $81,880 | $104,550 | $135,620 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $79,460 | $101,800 | $129,320 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| District of Columbia | 11,110 | 11,750 | 640 | 5.80% | 680 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Best Nursing Programs Online: Washington, D.C. Edition
Howard University
Washington, DCTrinity Washington University
Washington, DCThe Catholic University of America
Washington, DCGeorge Washington University
Washington, DCGeorgetown University
Washington, DCAdditional Washington, D.C., Nursing Resources
- Black Nurses Association of the Greater Washington, D.C., Area: Professional organization that provides a number of useful resources to nurses employed in the D.C. area while also advocating for various changes in healthcare systems. Additionally, this group provides outreach and career services to middle and high school students.
- District of Columbia Nurses Association: The DCNA is the main professional organization for RNs who work in the nation’s capital. This group is associated with the AFL-CIO labor union and works to ensure fair pay, benefits, and the well-being of D.C. nurses.
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses – D.C. Metro Chapter: Professional association that advocates and provides resources for Hispanic nurses, as well as mentors the next generation of nurses for competent practice in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia.
- D.C. Board of Nursing: The D.C. Board of Nursing is the government licensing agency for RNs and other nursing professionals employed in Washington. The BON additionally offers continuing education opportunities and creates and oversees regulations encouraging compassionate and competent nursing care.
- D.C. Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP): Washington, D.C,’s Department of Health offers a loan repayment program for various healthcare professionals, including RNs and APRNs. Eligible nurses can receive up to $83,510 in compensation for working at HPLRP-certified sites.
