Nurse Practitioner Information for Washington DC
You live at the center of American healthcare, so why not take the next step in your nursing career in Washington DC? Expand your nursing practice at one of the nurse practitioner programs in Washington DC. You may choose to specialize in child nursing, adult nursing, gerontological nursing or mental health nursing. Use the information on this page to explore graduation requirements and career paths. Then, use the search box above to explore schools or check out featured programs below.
The fast-paced culture of Washington DC has shaped the growth of the healthcare industry, driving demand for efficient, prompt, affordable healthcare. In turn, many clinics and hospitals are trying to reduce their dependence on general physicians and specialist physicians. Nurses have taken on more diverse responsibilities to ensure that patients have access to excellent care. If you are a registered nurse with at least one year of experience in healthcare, you may be interested in advanced care careers.
How Can I Become a Nurse Practitioner in Washington DC?
Washington DC nurse practitioners learn how to provide advanced care in graduate or doctorate nursing programs. Comparing requirements at each level of education may make it easier to choose the degree that fits your needs.
Master’s Level Requirements for Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Credit hours required: 35 to 45 credits
- Average cost: $1,350 per credit
- Clinical hours required: 500 or more hours
- Timeframe: 2 to 3 years
Doctoral Level Nurse Practitioner Degree Requirements
- Credit hours required: Roughly 90 credits beyond a Bachelor’s degree
- Clinical hours required: 1,000 or more hours
- Timeframe: Up to 3 years after completion of a Master’s degree
Whether you want to work with families, children, or adult patients, getting a nurse practitioner degree may put you in a great position to provide a higher level of care to patients. Get more information on nurse practitioner schooling by contacting Washington DC programs.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs in Washington DC
Before you can figure out what to expect from a nurse practitioner program, you must choose an area of specialized study. Many of the skills covered in nurse practitioner programs are the same across all age groups, but you must be able to properly diagnose, assess, and treat patients based on their age, health history, and existing medical problems. That’s where your specialized training is necessary. Depending on the school you choose, you may focus on providing care to psychiatric-mental health patients, adult-gerontological patients, pediatric patients, and families. FNP programs prepare graduates for work with families in primary and acute care settings.
Get a broad understanding of your education by analyzing your program’s learning outcomes and goals. These goals may help you determine your school’s emphasis on leadership, patient care, research, and other areas of nursing. Washington DC schools often assess students based on knowledgeable leadership, quality improvement in healthcare, ability to combine nursing practice and theory, and collaboration within the field of healthcare. Your curriculum, which includes core courses and population-specific courses, should address each of these goals. Some courses are required for both graduate and doctoral programs.
Curriculum for NP Master’s and Doctoral Degrees
You will take a variety of courses for your nurse practitioner degree, but common courses include:
- Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Researchers
- Biostatistics
- Nursing Leadership
- Concepts in Population Health
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
- Lifespan Primary Care/Diagnosis/Management
- Professional Issues/Diagnosis/Management
- Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Translating Research Into Practice
- Health Services Research and Policy
- Organizational and Interdisciplinary Concepts in Nursing
- Adult Gerontology
Certain schools offer online nurse practitioner programs. These programs are generally designed for working nurses who have busy schedules. Typically, you do need to attend some courses online in addition to completing your clinical work at approved locations.
Financial Aid/Scholarships for NP Schools in Washington DC
If you have a strong history of academic performance and great nursing references, you may qualify for different types of financial aid. One benefit of studying in the nation’s capital is the variety of government programs and professional organizations that provide scholarship and grants. Explore the following options as you find ways to pay for school.
Scholarship and Grant Options for Washington DC Nursing Students:
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: This program selects promising students and awards sizable scholarships. Selected students must repay the gift by taking on a two-year commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: If loans are an unavoidable part of your nursing education, you may have them forgive through loan repayment programs. This program may repay up to $50,000 of your student loans if you complete a two-year stint in an approved location.
- BestNursingDegree.com Scholarship: Four times per year, we award $2,500 scholarships. Go apply for this scholarship cycle on our financial aid page.
- DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program: Another option for student loans is the DC-specific repayment program. This program pays up to a total amount of $78,724. 18% of your eligible loans are paid the first year, scaling up to 28% in years three and four.
Licensing and Practice Requirements for NPs in DC
To work in Washington DC, you must be licensed through the District of Columbia Department of Health. From start to finish, the entire licensing process takes about 30 to 45 days. You submit proof of national certification in your area of study to the Department of Health, as well as your educational records. Once you receive approval, you may get your nurse practitioner license. Per the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, advanced nursing professionals in Washington DC enjoy full practice rights.
Nurse Practitioner Careers in Washington DC
There are many settings in which nurse practitioners can thrive in the District of Columbia. Entrepreneurial NPs may open their own practice, an endeavor that involves marketing, business management, and patient care. More conventional employment options may be found at clinics, government agencies, and hospitals.
You may find that furthering your education has a positive effect on your income potential. Nurse practitioners in Washington DC report an average income of $101,260 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). While there is no data for the job outlook in Washington DC, the national demand for nurse practitioners is expected to increase 31% between 2014 and 2024 (BLS, 2016).
When everyone has easy access to healthcare, society benefits. Taking the next step in your education increases standards in the nursing community and encourages patient confidence.
To get started, contact Washington DC nursing programs and find a program that reinvigorates your passion for nursing.
