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Nurses seeking to deliver compassionate care to young patients facing health challenges can practice in a dynamic environment at Children’s National Hospital. This premier facility in Washington, D.C., is a Magnet hospital that inspires nursing excellence. It supports patients and families in a child-centered environment while driving research in children’s health. U.S. News and World Report listed the top-ranked academic health system as the nation’s No. 5 children’s hospital in 2022-2023.
In this employer spotlight, we cover the exciting career opportunities and benefits of permanent and travel nursing jobs and other healthcare careers at Children’s National Hospital. Explore employee perks, the health system’s diversity initiatives and other criteria to help determine whether this innovative healthcare facility is a good fit for your career aspirations.
Introduction to Children’s National Hospital
Children’s National Medical Center changed its name to Children’s National Hospital in 2013. The health system cares for about 246,000 patients a year from across the nation and the world. It provides tertiary care at Children’s National Hospital and primary and specialty care in outpatient clinics throughout the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia.
The hospital was first established by volunteers in 1870, with just 12 beds to care for children displaced by the Civil War. Today it has 323 beds, operates the only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in the region and is one of only 30 Level 1 Children’s Surgery Centers in the nation.
Children’s National performs over 17,000 surgeries and sees over 669,000 outpatients annually in more than 60 specialties. It’s also a teaching hospital for George Washington University and Howard University medical schools, helping trainees, residents and fellows develop clinical skills and knowledge.
In addition to providing direct patient care, Children’s National leads the way in researching novel ways to care for children. The main hospital campus is home to the Children’s National Research Institute, an academic hub focused on understanding, preventing and treating pediatric diseases. More than 1,500 active clinical research projects are underway.
Mission and Values
The mission of Children’s National Hospital is “to excel in Care, Advocacy, Research and Education.” It aims to provide quality healthcare to patients and families, improve health outcomes and find better ways to respond to pediatric health challenges.
The hospital strives to create a safe and comfortable environment for its young patients. Staff members are encouraged to:
- Serve patients and families with warmth, kindness and compassion
- Be focused and present in all interactions
- Empower families with guidance in decision-making
- Challenge each other to innovate and excel
Awards and Distinctions
When you work at Children’s National Hospital, you’re adding one of the most respected Washington, D.C. hospitals to your resume. The healthcare facility consistently earns accolades for achievements in patient care, teaching and diversity, including:
- No. 5 Best Children’s Hospital: U.S. News and World Report ranked the hospital among the nation’s top 10 pediatric hospitals for the sixth consecutive year in 2022-2023.
- No. 1 Best Neonatology Program: U.S. News selected Children’s National Hospital as the best in the nation for newborn care for the sixth straight year in 2022-2023.
- Magnet Hospital: The American Nurses Credentialing Center recognized the hospital for outstanding nursing practices for the third time in 2019, following recognition in 2010 and 2015. Only 3% of Magnet hospitals nationwide achieve redesignation.
- No. 14 Best Children’s Hospital in the World: Newsweek Magazine included the facility on its list of the best specialized hospitals for 2023.
- LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized Children’s National Hospital in 2022 for equitable treatment and inclusion of patients, visitors and employees.
- Apollo Award for Nursing Mentorship and Coaching: Helios HR honored the hospital for innovative talent development in nursing in 2016.
Nationally Ranked Clinical Specialties
Depending on your clinical interests and skills, you can practice in a broad range of specialties and work with some of the best healthcare teams in the field. The hospital’s numerous institutes and centers of excellence include the Children’s National Heart Institute, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rare Disease Institute and Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Health. Many of Children’s National Hospital’s pediatric programs were ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News and World Report in 2022-2023:
- No. 1 Neonatology
- No. 3 Neurology and Neurosurgery
- No. 5 Nephrology
- No. 6 Cancer
- No. 7 Orthopedics
- No. 8 Diabetes and Endocrinology
- No. 8 (tied) Pulmonology and Lung Surgery
- No. 17 Urology
- No. 18 Gastroenterology and GI surgery
- No. 46 Cardiology and Heart Surgery
Working at Children’s National Hospital
With a team of 6,800 staff, including 1,600 nurses, Children’s National Hospital is one of the largest healthcare employers in the D.C. metro area. The hospital offers an array of employee benefits. According to information on the hospital’s website as of early February 2023, benefits are generally available to staff working a minimum of 20 hours per week in benefits-eligible positions and include:
- Health insurance: Choose from PPO or HMO plans for medical coverage starting on the first day of the month following your hiring date. Vision, dental, life and disability insurance options are also available.
- Retirement plans: Staff can participate in 401(k) retirement plans. After a certain length of employment, the hospital may match your contributions.
- Leave: Staff can expect 2 to 5 weeks of accrued annual vacation, depending on position and length of service. Sick leave, paid holidays and 100% paid maternity, paternity and adoption leaves are also available.
- Flexible spending accounts: You can use pretax earnings to pay for certain medical or dependent care expenses.
- Employee assistance programs: Employees and eligible family members can access short-term counseling and support from behavioral health professionals.
- Educational assistance: After 6 months of employment, staff may apply for financial aid for job-related studies. This aid covers undergraduate and graduate courses and programs leading to a degree, excluding the highest degree for a program or profession, such as a doctorate.
Diversity and Inclusion Programs
Children’s National Hospital recognizes that equity and inclusion are essential to create a better future for children. To inspire a culture of belonging and respect for patients, families, staff and the community, the hospital has a Diversity and Inclusion Committee with nine working subcommittees. These committees helped the hospital earn a perfect healthcare equality index score in 2022 from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The score reflects achievements in staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement.
Career Opportunities for Nurses
You’ll find many options for building a nursing career at Children’s National Hospital, including direct patient care, research, community service and leadership roles. Nurses and nursing students are needed for staff positions at all levels, including:
- Safety Attendant
- Nurse Trainee Externship
- Patient Care Technician
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- New Graduate Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Telehealth Nurse
- Professional Practice Specialist
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Acute Care/Critical Care Float Pool
- Research Nurse Coordinator
- Nurse Navigator
- Clinical Educator
- Clinical Instructor
- Shift Coordinator
- Nurse Manager (Unit)
- Clinical Manager (Outpatient)
- Administrative Manager
- Case Manager
- School Nurse
Nursing Education Programs
Whether you’re a new graduate or have been a nurse for years, you perform at your best when you have your employer’s support. Children’s National Hospital invests in its nurses, allowing them to improve their skills and knowledge, provide outstanding patient care and excel in their field.
The following outlines some of the educational programs and initiatives available to nurses, starting from their first day:
- Orientation programs: New employees receive organizational and unit orientation and are paired with a trained nurse preceptor to facilitate their onboarding.
- Pediatric nursing residency: This 12-month transition to practice program is offered twice a year to new graduates with less than a year of clinical experience. The program supports the transition to professional nursing with classroom, simulated and hands-on clinical training and a robust social support system.
- Nurse trainee programs: Nursing students can apply to summer internships to learn about pediatric nursing and perform the same tasks as a certified nursing assistant.
- Nursing fellowships: RNs interested in gaining advanced clinical training in critical care, neonatal critical care and perioperative nursing can apply for fellowships in the appropriate unit.
- Mentorship and coaching: This program helps nurses establish career paths to meet their professional goals.
- Tuition assistance: Full-time and part-time RNs may be eligible for tuition support after working for the hospital for 6 months. The hospital pays for two classes per semester, up to a maximum of six per year, at accredited institutions.
- Continuing education: The hospital organizes in-person and online learning throughout the year to support nurses’ professional development.
Travel Nursing in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. hospitals may hire travel RNs to help cover staffing shortfalls. If you reside outside of the D.C. metropolitan area but are interested in living in the nation’s capital for a few months, consider a travel nursing job at Children’s National Hospital.
You can gain valuable clinical experience in a top pediatric hospital, learn from new colleagues and expand your professional network. On your days off, visit iconic attractions such as the Lincoln Memorial and Smithsonian museums, and discover the shops and eateries in neighborhoods such as Georgetown, Penn Quarter and Dupont Circle.
Commuting to Children’s National Hospital
Children’s National Hospital is just a few miles north of downtown Washington, D.C. Several Metrobus routes stop on Michigan Avenue in front of the facility. Employees who take the Metrorail to Brookland Metro Station have access to a free shuttle to the hospital. The shuttle has regular runs scheduled throughout the week.
If you prefer to drive, on-site parking is limited, and availability depends on your position and shift. Staff members also receive discounts at off-site parking lots and free shuttle service to the hospital.
On-Site Amenities
Meals and refreshments are available at several locations at Children’s National if you’re taking a break during work. Staff members receive discounts at the hospital’s main cafeteria, which is open every weekday until 4 p.m. The varied menu includes eggs, bagels, cereal, yogurt, fruit, soup, salad, sandwiches, pizza and hot entrees.
Two grab-and-go food stations are also available, one on the 2nd floor of the hospital and the other on the 7th floor of the Inpatient Tower. These stations operate with extended hours. You can pick up hot foods, salad, sandwiches and snacks. For a treat, stop by the coffee bar on the hospital’s first floor for cappuccino, lattes, tea, smoothies and baked goods. If you need a quick pick-me-up, you’ll also find several vending machines throughout the facility.
Contact Information
Children’s National Hospital
111 Michigan Avenue NW
Washington, DC, 20010
(202) 476-5000
