Nursing: Explore Advanced Practice Nursing

Nursing is one of the most versatile and in-demand careers in healthcare, but knowing which path to pursue can be the hardest part. This course takes you inside the profession through patient case studies, simulation-based learning, and direct exposure to advanced practice specialties, including nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse-midwife. You'll practice core clinical skills and observe how nurses deliver safe and quality care across settings. In the process, you will discover if nursing aligns with your goals and which specific specialty is the right fit for you.

Program Dates

Multi-length courses available throughout the year

Eligibility

For students ages 18 and up

College Credit Course Fees

$3,995

Enrichment Course Fees

$1,895

What's the Difference Between Our College Credit and Enrichment Courses?

Both enrichment and college credit–bearing options feature engaging online lessons and instructional support. College credit–bearing courses include additional coursework and offer the opportunity to earn academic credit upon successful completion. Some course content overlaps across both options, so students are encouraged to choose the format that best aligns with their academic or professional goals.

College Credit Courses
$3,995

Length of Course: Multi-length course options

Instruction & Activities: 128 hours

Grading: Letter grade

On Your Own Schedule: ✔️

Academic Support: ✔️

Final Project: ✔️

College Credit Hours: ✔️

Certificate of Completion: Georgetown Transcript

Enrichment Courses
$1,895

Length of Course: 1-, 2-, or 4-weeks

Instruction & Activities: 20-30 hours

Grading: Pass/Fail

On Your Own Schedule: ✔️

Academic Support: ✔️

Final Project: ✔️

College Credit Hours:

Certificate of Completion:✔️

Discover the Many Specialized Paths of Nursing

The Profession Behind the Practice

Investigate education and licensing pathways for registered nurses and advanced roles. Discover core concepts like evidence-based practice and patient safety while learning how simulation-based training prepares clinicians.

Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Department

Follow a patient case from intake to diagnosis by performing physical exams and determining treatment plans. Practice the documentation and communication skills essential for delivering quality care.

The Nurse Anesthetist in the Operating Room

Observe how nurse anesthetists prepare patients, administer anesthesia, and monitor care during surgery. Study medication safety and dosage calculations that are fundamental to providing high-quality procedural care.

The Nurse-Midwife From Prenatal Through Postpartum

Follow a midwife through labor, delivery, and postpartum assessments while managing potential complications. Learn core skills like suturing and blood loss estimation while practicing structured team communication.

Nursing Beyond the Hospital

Examine how nursing extends into primary care, community health, and underserved populations. Discover how nurses advocate for access, equity, and patient safety across various diverse clinical environments.

Finding Your Place in Nursing

Survey diverse nursing specialties and consider how each path aligns with your strengths. Use gained perspectives to map your future in this growing field and professional landscape.

What You Gain From This Experience

  • Direct exposure to advanced practice nursing specialties, including nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse-midwife, through patient case studies and simulations.
  • Hands-on practice with core nursing skills like health assessment, clinical documentation, and medication dosage calculation.
  • Awareness of how nurses deliver safe, quality care across hospital, outpatient, community, and underserved settings.
  • Experience identifying patient safety risks and advocating for quality care through a Final Capstone Project.
  • A Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University upon successful completion of the course.

Female student taking an online course on her laptop

What Sets This Program Apart

A Capstone Project With Real-World Relevance

  • Assess a patient's hospital room for safety risks, complete an incident report, and create an educational resource highlighting a National Patient Safety Goal.
  • Practice the kind of critical thinking and patient advocacy that defines nursing at every level of the profession.

Instructional Guidance And Mentorship

  • Receive feedback from course mentors as you work through case studies, practice clinical skills, and develop your Final Capstone Project.
  • Build confidence in health assessment, documentation, and professional communication through guided review and support.

Flexible Learning With Clear Expectations

  • Engage with online coursework designed to fit alongside your current academic, professional, or personal commitments.
  • Complete assignments and the Final Capstone Project on a predictable timeline that supports independent planning.

Apply Now for the Next Available Course

Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty

Kelli Giffin | Nursing Instructor | Georgetown University

Kelli Giffin

Director, Clinical Simulation Center Instructor, Professional Nursing Practice Academic Department

In leading the Simulation Center, Kelli focuses on developing the competencies and critical thinking abilities of both undergraduate and graduate students, building on her expertise in clinical hospital-based practice. Her work has provided a powerful human element to the Simulation Lab, and her simulations are still used for clinical makeup in order to augment clinical experiences and assist with the development of critical thinking skills. She also works as a bedside nurse at MedStar Georgetown University Medical Center. In 2017, Giffin received an International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Simulation Fellowship. In recognition of her outstanding leadership in the field, in 2021, she received the Georgetown Women in Medicine Mentoring Award.

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Admissions

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Frequently Asked Questions

How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.

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Scholarships

We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition. 

  • If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.  
  • If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.