In the nation's capital, the industry sector of education and health services provided about 111,600 jobs in July 2011, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that this was a 3.5 percent increase year-over-year. Traditional and online nursing programs in the District of Columbia can prepare students to take advantage of potential career opportunities in the growing field of health care.

Washington, D.C. is highly populated with an educated workforce. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau found more than 600,000 people living in the district, which encompasses a little more than 61 square miles. Counting residents aged 25 and over, the 2010 census shows that 47.1 percent of the populace held a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the U.S. average of 27.5 percent. The right training can be an important factor in a competitive job market like this one.

Online nursing schools in District of Columbia

Students considering District of Columbia nursing schools online can find Web-based courses like these from The George Washington University:

• Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
• Primary Care of the Adult
• Theoretical Foundation of Nursing

Georgetown University has an online graduate nursing program that is designed to allow interaction in the distance learning environment, combined with a clinical component. Among other options is Western Governors University's online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program for registered nurses, which also requires some clinical experience.

Careers for graduates of District of Columbia nursing schools online

Registered nursing is the largest segment of the health care industry, according to the BLS, and employers include the following:

1. General medical and surgical hospitals
2. Doctors' offices
3. Home health care services
4. Nursing care facilities
5. Outpatient care centers

The cost of living in the nation's capital can be high, but nursing salaries are also above the norm. The BLS reports that RNs in the district had a mean yearly salary of $76,210 as of May 2010, compared to $67,720 for these professionals nationwide. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the District of Columbia earned $49,400, higher than the U.S. mean annual wage for LPNs and LVNs in 2010.