Practical Nursing · District of Columbia
Practical Nursing colleges in District of Columbia
CampusPin lists 13 U.S. colleges in District of Columbia that offer Practical Nursing programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.
Practical Nursing trains you to deliver bedside nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse or physician and to sit for the practical nurse licensure exam.
Schools in District of Columbia that offer Practical Nursing
American University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$56,543
Acceptance
47%
Enrollment
12,795
Career Technical Institute
Washington, DC · Community College · Private
Tuition
$30,953
Acceptance
100%
Enrollment
370
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$18,382
Acceptance
61%
Enrollment
1,324
George Washington University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$64,990
Acceptance
44%
Enrollment
25,029
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$65,081
Acceptance
13%
Enrollment
19,886
Howard University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$33,344
Acceptance
35%
Enrollment
12,830
Institute of World Politics
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$30,953
Acceptance
65%
Enrollment
8,568
Saint Michael College of Allied Health
Washington, DC · Community College · Private
Tuition
$19,405
Acceptance
64%
Enrollment
123
Strayer University-District of Columbia
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$13,920
Acceptance
100%
Enrollment
352
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$55,834
Acceptance
84%
Enrollment
5,095
The Chicago School at Washington DC
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$30,953
Acceptance
75%
Enrollment
6,395
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC · University · Private
Tuition
$26,110
Acceptance
99%
Enrollment
1,417
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC · University · Public
Tuition
$6,152
Acceptance
100%
Enrollment
3,638
Practical Nursing programs in District of Columbia: by the numbers
A quick comparison of the 13 schools listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.
Schools listed
13
Public / private
1 / 12
Universities / 2-year
11 / 2
Cities represented
1
In-state tuition range
$6,152–$65,081
Median in-state tuition
$30,953
Lowest published in-state tuition
University of the District of Columbia
$6,152
Most selective
Georgetown University
13% acceptance
Largest by enrollment
George Washington University
25,029 students
Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.
What you'll study in a Practical Nursing program
- Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
- Fundamentals of nursing and patient-care skills
- Taking and recording vital signs and reporting changes
- Basic pharmacology and safe medication administration
- Sterile technique, dressing changes, and basic wound care
- Infection control, aseptic technique, and patient safety
- Patient and family health education
- Assisting with examinations, treatments, and specimen collection
- Supervised clinical rotations in real care settings
Where a Practical Nursing degree can lead
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Home Health Nurse
- Long-Term Care Nurse
- Clinic Nurse
- Nursing Care Coordinator
Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses median $62,340).
A Practical Nursing program prepares you to provide hands-on, general nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist. Coursework grounds you in anatomy and physiology, basic pharmacology and safe medication administration, infection control, and the fundamentals of nursing practice, then puts those skills to work in supervised clinical settings. You learn to take and record vital signs, apply sterile dressings and perform basic wound care, collect specimens, assist with examinations and treatments, monitor patients and document changes in their condition, and reinforce patient and family health education. Where a Registered Nursing program centers on independent assessment, care planning, and broader clinical decision-making, Practical Nursing focuses on delivering direct, supportive bedside care within a defined scope under an RN's or physician's direction.
Most students enter through a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program offered by a community college, technical school, or hospital, completing classroom instruction together with supervised clinical hours before graduating. Graduates are typically eligible to sit for the national licensure examination for practical nurses and must meet their state board's requirements to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse; titles, scope of practice, and rules vary from state to state, so verify them before you enroll. Many graduates work in nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, physician offices, home health, and clinics, and some later bridge into a registered nursing program to advance their practice. A program is preparation for the licensure exam and supervised practice, not a guaranteed job, and pay and demand vary by employer, region, setting, and experience.
In federal data for the closely related occupation of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $62,340 and projects employment to grow about 2.6% from 2024 to 2034; a postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.
Practical Nursing in other states
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Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 13+ Practical Nursing programs in District of Columbia by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.