Washington DC MSN Programs
Georgetown University: RN to MSN Program Review
Georgetown University, 37th and O Street NW, Washington, DC 20057
Georgetown University is a Jesuit Catholic university. This private research university was established in 1789. The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies is part of Georgetown University Medical Center. The University houses a multimillion dollar research program and is known for its nationally ranked graduate programs, including Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.
Most programs are available on campus as well as on line. Program concentrations include the following:
Adult Gerontology ACNP/Adult Gerontology CNS
Family Nurse practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia
Nurse Educator
Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Students who enter the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) or Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) programs receive training to care for acutely ill adults and their families or for the elderly adult. Students learn from many different specialists during their clinical placements in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The program requires five semesters of full-time or eight semesters of part-time studies totaling 48 credits. Admission requirements are a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN), one year of critical care or ICU experience working full-time as a Registered Nurse (RN). The average work experience of those admitted to the program is three years, and the average grade point average is 3.5.
The RN who would like to pursue a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner will find training for this advanced nursing option at Georgetown University. From 44 to 46 credits are required to complete the program before taking the national certification exam to become a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner. The average amount of work experience that students admitted to the program have ranges from one to 15 years, and the average grade point average is 3.6.
U.S. News and World Report has ranked Georgetown’s Nurse Anesthesia Program as 6th in the nation’s Best Graduate Schools. Students in the program practice in the anatomy cadaver lab, a very rare resource in nurse anesthesia programs. Students attend full-time to complete 45 credits, with 40 of these didactic credits completed in one year. The program can be completed in seven semesters. Applicants must have a bachelors degree in nursing and a grade point average of at least 3.0. Prerequisite courses are statistics and a chemistry course. In addition, a license as a Registered Nurse (RN) is required. At least one year of working in acute care nursing is required, but those accepted into the program usually have three to four years. The average grade point average of students accepted into the program is 3.7.
The RN interested in teaching as a Nurse Educator may apply to Georgetown’s Nurse Educator program. This masters degree program requires 35 credits to complete. This program is offered online. Georgetown University also offers a Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) program. Training for the RN who wants to care for women’s obstetrical and gynecological needs may want to consider this program. This nationally ranked program requires the completion of 49 credits and is a full-time program. The University’s combined Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner program leads to a Master of Science (MS), and these specialties are only offered in this combined format.
The masters nursing programs at Georgetown University are very selective and are intense programs, but graduates have many job opportunities in advanced care nursing positions after graduation and passing national certification exams.
Catholic University of America: RN to MSN Program
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20064
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is the pontifical university of the Catholic Church. It was founded in 1887 as a graduate and research center. The University campus is located in an area of Washington, District of Columbia called Little Rome because of the 59 other Catholic institutions located in the area. The School of Nursing was established in 1935 and today offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Programs provide training for Registered Nurses to fill roles in advanced nursing, such as nurse practitioners, public health nurse specialists, nurse educators, or clinical nurse specialists.
The University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program has a Nurse Specialist Specialty Option in Advanced Public/Community Health Nurse education. Training for students to function as Advanced Public Health nurses is provided in this program. If the Registered Nurse (RN) wants to complete additional course work, it is also possible to earn certification as a Public health Clinical Nurse Specialist. There are two areas of clinical concentration in the Advanced Public Health Nursing program, which are global and refugee health and population-based program design and management. The program consists of 41 credits and at least 500 hours of supervised clinical practice. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the exam to acquire certification as advanced public health nurse specialists.
Nurse Practitioner programs offered by The Catholic University of America are Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Nurse practitioner: Primary Care or combined Acute and Primary Care. In the Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, training prepares advanced practice nurses to serve as primary care providers of adults from adolescents through old age. Thirty-eight credits and at least 540 hours of clinical practice are required for this program. The University offers both a full-time program and a part-time program. Full-time students can complete the program in two years and part-time students may finish it in three and one-half years.
The Family Nurse Practitioner is also available on a full-time or part-time basis. Forty-four credits of coursework and 700 hours of clinical practice in various clinical settings are required. The full-time program takes two years to complete, and nurses can complete the part-time program in three and one-half years. The Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioners program provides students training to prepare them to care for wellness and illness in children from birth to young adulthood. A total of 39 credits and 540 credits are required to complete the program.
The Combined Acute and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program is designed to provide training for nurses who want to provide care to children and adolescents from wellness to acute care. This 44 credit program prepares the RN to take the national exams for primary care and acute care pediatric nurse practitioners. All applicants must have one year’s experience working in a pediatric acute care setting. The full-time program requires two years and one summer to complete, and part-time options are also available.
The MSN program options are Catholic University of America are unique because of the variety of sub-specialties offered that are not available at most universities. Students must maintain a B average in all courses taken. School-based financial support is offered to graduate nursing students via traineeships, school-based scholarships, and special federal programs. Admission requirements include submission of an application that includes a purpose statement, which program the RN is interested in, examples of leadership skills and abilities, and a description of current and past professional roles. The applicant must have a BSN and a grade point average of at least 3.0. Registered Nurses must have professional licenses in all states or in Maryland and Virginia, where most clinical experience takes place. In addition, three recommendation letters, Graduate Record Examination scores, and a meeting health and behavioral standards for clinical programs at the university.
The George Washington University: RN to MSN Program Review
The George Washington University
2030 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
The George Washington University (GW) is located in the District of Columbia at 2030 M Street, NW, and was begun by an Act of Congress in 1821. It is a private university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. U.S. News and World Report rated the University as 50th in the nation in national university rankings. It is rated in the Top 10 by The Princeton Review as the Best in the Northeast. The School of Nursing offers an online graduate program that is rated as one of the programs in the top third by U.S. News and World Report. The University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for the Registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as well as other programs.
The School of Nursing offers a MSN with the following specialty areas:
Adult Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Research Administration
Family Nurse Practitioner
Health Care Quality
Nursing Leadership and Management
Nurse-Midwifery
The RN who wants to pursue training in one of these specialties while completing a MSN must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a grade point of 3.0 or higher. Those with bachelor’s degrees in nursing-related fields must take a bridge course. The GRE is not required. The advantage to this online program is that students also have access to the nursing faculty at the University and have opportunities to work on campus with other students. Both full-time and part time options are available for the RN who is working while completing a MSN. All nurse practitioner students must complete a final skills assessment two days before graduation.
Admission requirements include completion of the NursingCAS online application and the GW Supplemental online application. A curriculum vitae or resume, statement of purpose, and copy of current nursing license must be submitted. Financial aid and scholarships are available, including federal financial aid.
The University offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Advancement program as well. Courses are taught online and students complete both their bachelors degree and masters degree in nursing. Two concentrations are available, which are Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwife.
Howard University: RN to MSN Program Review
Howard University
6th & W Streets, NW, Annex II
Washington, DC 20059
Howard University (HU) is a traditionally Black University located at 6th & W Streets, NW, Annex II, Washington DC 20059. It was founded in 1866 as a theological seminary for African-American clergymen. The University has grown to become one of the 48 private universities with 12 schools and colleges offering over 120 areas of study to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is offered at the University with concentrations in Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner tracks. The 46 credit Family Nurse Practitioner track is available on a full-time or part-time basis, and applicants are expected to have a bachelors degree in nursing. This program provides training for nurses to work as primary care nurses who work with all members of the family. Graduates are prepared to sit for the national Nurse Practitioner certification exam. Admission requirements for both tracks of the MSN are having a 3.0 grade point average or above on undergraduate work with a statistics course completed. The applicant must be eligible to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the District of Columbia. A curriculum vitae or resume is required, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a professional goal statement, and results of the Graduate Record Exam.
The Nurse Educator track is an online program for nurses looking for training to teach in academic and clinical settings. This MSN program requires 39 credits and is available either full-time or part-time. After completing the program and teaching full-time for the required number of years, graduates are eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Exam.
