Our team of 2,000+ nurses fuel the largest, busiest hospital in the nation’s capital. MedStar Washington Hospital Center is a 912-bed teaching and research hospital, and a major referral center for the most complex cases. Ranked No. 1 in Washington, DC, by U.S. News & World Report, MedStar Washington is home to one of the nation’s top cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery programs, a Level 1 Trauma Center, the region’s only adult burn facility, and a comprehensive stroke center.
Our nurses are passionate patient advocates who thrive in a fast-paced, forward-thinking care environment. Our unwavering commitment to advancing nursing practice empowers our nurses to achieve their goals through robust educational and professional development opportunities. We are incredibly proud of our two-time ANCC Pathway to Excellence designation and are now on our journey to Magnet recognition, the highest credential for nursing excellence a hospital can receive.
National Awards for Nursing Excellence
- ANCC Pathway to Excellence® Program for an empowering nursing work environment
- CCNE accreditation for the The Vizient/ AACN Nurse Residency Program™
- AMSN PRISM Award® for exemplary practice of medical-surgical units
- NICHE Geriatric Care Recognition - Exemplar Status for exceptional care for older adults
- Baby-Friendly Designation for exceptional maternity care
- AACN Beacon Awards of Excellence for exceptional critical care
MedStar Washington Hospital Center is also committed to advancing the careers of our nurses with advancements in technology, equipment, therapies and procedures. Programs and services to support our nurses include:
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Tuition reimbursement for education and conferences
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Work schedule flexibility to accommodate educational needs
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The Center for Excellence in Nursing, one of the only dedicated professional development facilities for nurses in the country
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A clinical advancement bonus program
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A leadership academy for nurse managers to develop advanced skills
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Dedicated nurse scientist support for nursing research and publishing
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On-the-job support from an experienced Nurse Responder Team and managers who provide bedside assistance
If you are interested in practicing professional nursing in a collaborative, patient first environment focused on teaching and research, MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the place for you. Whether you are an experienced nurse continuing your professional development or a new graduate searching for the right place to begin your career, we offer unparalleled opportunities to establish and build your career.
Our Professional Practice Model
The Quality Caring Model by Joanne Duffy, PhD, RN, FAAN is a relationship-centered model that serves as the theoretical framework for our nursing practice. We apply caring behaviors in our daily work because it’s how we treat people. We stand united, as ONE TEAM, valuing our relationships with ourselves, our colleagues, our patients and their families, and the community we serve.
It’s these heartfelt connections that enable us to make a meaningful difference and contribution to our MedStar Health Pillars of Excellence.
Our very own frontline nurses and leaders worked collaboratively to design and endorse our professional practice model, which includes these core components:
- The two hands represent the authentic and meaningful care our nurses provide.
- The colors of the hands, blue and maize, represent the diversity of our nurses and care team.
- Inside the caring hands are our valued and connected relationships.
- The circle represents our one-team culture and impactful contributions.
Professional Practice Model
Watch this video to hear more about how our nurses embrace the professional practice model in daily practice.
Nursing Specialties
MedStar Washington Hospital Center offers a world of opportunities for nursing professionals. We are proud of our exceptional team, who work in a variety of specialties to provide the very best in health care.
Specialties
- Emergency and Trauma Services
- Medical-Surgical Services
- Critical Care and Neurosciences
- Oncology
- Women’s and Infants’ Services
- Cardiac Services
- Perioperative Services
- Ambulatory Services
Bridge Programs and New Hire Support
We are focused on ensuring that our nurses have the support and resources to practice safe, evidence-based nursing care. Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced professional, you will be supported from your first day of employment at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Our nurse leaders and nurse educators have developed orientation programs that are tailored to meet each nurse's needs. Our highly-regarded Vizient/AACN™ Nurse Residency Program (NRP) for new graduate nurses is the only program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in the nation’s capital.
Additionally, experienced nurses have the opportunity to be hired into a bridge program, an in-depth training and mentoring program that teaches the skills needed in highly specialized nursing practices. The seven main bridge programs—critical care, emergency medicine, perioperative services, cardiac care, oncology-infusion, medical-surgical, and women’s and infants’ services—are offered once per quarter.
Awards and Recognition
MedStar Washington Hospital Center celebrates the outstanding, compassionate care of nurses and techs with monthly awards.
The DAISY Award celebrates extraordinary nurses for their compassion, dedication, and excellence in clinical care. DAISY is a national recognition program that was formed in November 1999 by the family of the late J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), and his family created the DAISY award to say thank you to nurses for their kindness and care.
The Sunshine Award celebrates non-nursing care team members, such as patient care technicians and respiratory therapists, who provide exceptional, compassionate, and high-quality care to patients and families. The Sunshine Award is a way to say thank you to care team members who truly brighten the days of patients and families.
Current and former patients who are interested in nominating a nurse or tech for these special awards may do so through WAMBI, an associate recognition application, accessible via this link: https://mwhc.wambiapp.com/portal. Paper nominations are also available throughout the hospital.
Academic Practice Partnerships
MedStar Washington Hospital Center is committed to supporting the next generation of nurses and has a long history of providing clinical experiences for students. Our Academic Practice Partnerships (APP) team oversees all students seeking experience within the Department of Nursing and Patient Care Services (Undergraduate RN, Graduate RN, Doctorate RN, Physician Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant, Surgical Technician, Respiratory, etc.). In addition, the APP department runs the Student Nurse Assistant (SNA) Program, Student Nurse Extern (SNE) Program, Future Nurse Programs at Howard University, Montgomery College, and George Mason University, and the Washington Squared program at George Washington University.
Questions?
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Nursing Students (Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctorate, PhD), SNAs, SNEs, & RN Clinical Instructors: Email, mwhcschoolcollaborations@medstar.net
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Allied Health Students (Medical Assistants, Surgical Technicians, PCTs, Respiratory, etc.): Email, mwhccarapp@medstar.net
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Future Nurse and Washington Squared Scholarship Programs: Email, mwhctier1@medstar.net
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Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship Programs
MedStar Washington has four scholarship programs with local nursing schools. These scholarship programs assist the nursing student with tuition assistance in exchange for a nursing student’s commitment to our hospital upon graduation. Click here to learn more about these programs and our current tuition assistance agreements.
Scholarship Programs:
- Future Nurse Program at Montgomery College (2-year ADN degree)
- Future Nurse Program at Howard University (4-year BSN degree)
- Future Nurse Program at George Mason University (1-year accelerated BSN degree)*
- Washington Squared (W2) Program at George Washington University (16-month accelerated BSN degree) *
*Must have prior bachelor’s degree to qualify for nursing school admission
After students have been accepted to any of the above nursing programs, the student should reach out to MWHCTier1@medstar.net prior to beginning their first semester and inquire about the scholarship program application process. To receive tuition assistance through these programs, students must successfully complete the scholarship application and interview with the Academic Practice Partnerships (APP) team.
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Undergraduate Nursing Student Career Opportunities
The Student Nurse Assistant (SNA) and the Student Nurse Extern (SNE) are paid positions for undergraduate nursing students. MedStar Washington Hospital Center associates who are in nursing school are welcome to transition to an SNA or SNE role. The SNA & SNE programs are both extremely flexible, to allow the nursing student to prioritize school and apply their education to the clinical environment. View this document to learn about the differences between the roles.
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Clinical Rotations
To begin the process of securing a practicum experience at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, you must determine whether our hospital has an educational affiliation agreement (EAA) with the school you are attending. Email mwhcschoolcollaborations@medstar.net (nursing students and Physician Assistant students) or mwhccarAPP@medstar.net (allied health students) to learn if your school has an agreement with us. While MedStar Washington welcomes your requests and is committed to being a premier site for school placements, your affiliation does not guarantee placement.
Undergraduate (ADN &BSN) Nursing Students: Your school will determine your clinical group rotations. If you would like to request a practicum rotation (1:1 preceptorship with a MedStar Washington RN) with us, please have your school’s clinical coordinator place a request through InPlace. Contact mwhcschoolcollaborations@medstar.net for questions.
RN to BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD Nursing Students: Upon confirmation of an educational affiliation agreement, an educator will guide you through the steps to get cleared for your clinical rotation with us. Of note, all graduate students are responsible for identifying a MedStar Washington preceptor who can accommodate their clinical rotation hours. We do not pair students with preceptors. Contact mwhcschoolcollaborations@medstar.net for questions.
Physician Assistant (PA) Students: Upon confirmation of an educational affiliation agreement, an educator will guide you through the steps to get cleared for your clinical rotation with us. Of note, all PA students are responsible for identifying a MedStar Washington preceptor who can accommodate their clinical rotation hours. We do not pair PA students with preceptors. Contact mwhcschoolcollaborations@medstar.net for questions.
Allied Health Students (Medical Assistant students, Patient Care Technician students, Respiratory Therapy students, Surgical Technician students): Please have your school’s clinical coordinator place a request through InPlace. Contact mwhccarAPP@medstar.net for questions.
Nursing Schools Seeking Education Affiliation Agreements: Schools that wish to establish an educational affiliation agreement with MedStar Washington Hospital Center should reach out to the following contacts for more information:
MWHCschoolcollaborations@medstar.net (Undergraduate nursing students, graduate nursing students, doctoral nursing students, and Physician Assistant students)
MWHCcarAPP@medstar.net (Allied Health Professionals such as Medical Assistant students, Respiratory Therapy students, Surgical Tech students, etc.)
Please note: Your request/affiliation agreement request may take up to 6 months to complete.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center's Nurse Residency program provides support to new graduates as they transition to professional practice. The program is designed to provide each nurse with the tools necessary to deliver safe, effective, and competent high-quality patient care.
The Nurse Residency program is managed by experienced clinical educators who facilitate both classroom and clinical orientation components. Our dedicated educators provide participants with an exceptional level of individualized attention throughout the residency program.
Program Objectives
- Bridge gaps in graduate nurses' clinical skill set
- Connect book knowledge to real-life clinical challenges
- Ensure ongoing support from leadership and peers
- Incorporate evidence-based practice into patient care
- Develop professional communication strategies for collaborative practice
The Residency Program Includes:
- Classroom instruction specific to the clinical area using a focused case study approach to learning
- Use of clinical simulation to foster effective critical thinking skills
- Clinical preceptorship under the guidance of an experienced clinical coach
- Ongoing continuing education and professional development opportunities
- Dedicated nurse educators are available both during and following the program
For more information, please contact Human Resources at 202-877-7441.
Nurse Residency Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
