Clinical and practicum partnerships are foundational to the School of Nursing’s mission to prepare career-ready, future-focused nurses.

 ![Conway nursing students performing an eye exam.](/sites/nursing.catholic.edu/files/styles/ks_feature/public/2026-06/Conway-Students-Eye-Exam.jpg?h=b9af0d62&itok=Gs849UyS) 

## The D.C. Advantage: A Wealth of Healthcare Institutions Nearby

We partner with 20+ first-class healthcare facilities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to provide our students with real clinical experience as part of the nursing curriculum. Every Conway nursing student graduates with 2 years of experience working in real healthcare settings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

### Available Clinical Sites and Facilities

Private hospitals, public clinics, research centers, and more are all options for our students' clinical experience.

 

 

 

 

### Work with a Variety of Patients

From mothers and babies to elderly patients, you’ll be able to work with a variety of populations in different settings to better understand your own path in nursing.

 

 

 

 

### Be at the Heart of Healthcare Research and Policy

Washington, D.C. is the center of national healthcare research and policy development, so our students are optimally located for careers on the forefront of healthcare in our nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our hospital partners in the D.C. metro area include but are not limited to:



**Adventist Shady Grove Medical Center**  
Rockville, MD

**Children's National Medical Center**  
Washington, D.C. area

**Dominion Hospital**  
Falls Church, VA

**The George Washington University Hospital**  
Washington, D.C.

**Holy Cross Hospital**  
Silver Spring, MD

 

 

**The INOVA Health System**  
Washington, D.C. area

**MedStar Washington Hospital Center**  
Washington, D.C.

**Sibley Memorial Hospital**  
Washington, D.C.

**Suburban Hospital**  
Bethesda, MD

**Virginia Hospital Center**  
Arlington, VA

[See All of Our Hospital Partners](/about/hospital-partners "Hospital Partners")

 

 

 

 

 

 ![](/themes/custom/cua_standard/idfive-component-library/public/images/divider-line.svg) 

 

## How Our Clinicals Prepare You for Nursing

Made possible through our partnerships, our extensive clinical program will prepare you through hands-on training, experience in professional settings, and supportive learning.



- *handshake*### Hands-On Training
    
    Undergraduate nursing students complete 650 hours of clinical experience through three medical-surgical rotations, along with one rotation in community health, obstetrics, mental health, and pediatrics.
- *local\_hospital*### Professional Settings
    
    Our students are matched with mentors and clinical sites that offer experiential learning opportunities. The variety of hospital and healthcare settings prepares you for whichever path you choose.
- *people*### Student Support & Mentoring
    
    During clinical rotations, our students are supported by a full-time, responsive clinical coordinator who is accessible to both our students and our clinical partners. You also will have competent, attentive ["preceptors" (nurse mentors)](/explore-our-school/clinicals-career/preceptors-clinical-educators-dedicated-your-learning "Preceptors: Clinical Educators Dedicated to Your Learning"), who help advise and guide you along the way.
 
 

 

## From Student to RN: Lizzie's Life-Changing Story

Hear Elizabeth (Lizzie) Mastoros discuss her clinical experience at Holy Cross Hospital while attending the Conway School of Nursing.



 

 ![Thumbnail for video From Student to RN: Lizzie's Life-Changing Story of Care and Compassion](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZPFmfLbpIfI/maxresdefault.jpg)

  Play Video  



 

 

 

 
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## Meet Some of Our Clinical Faculty

You'll have a supportive network of faculty and advisors at the Conway School. Meet a few of our clinical faculty.



 [ ![Photo of Sandra O'Brien. She has short brown hair and is wearing a navy blazer over a light blue shirt.](/sites/nursing.catholic.edu/files/styles/ks_profile/public/2026-04/obriens.png?h=3edf97fc&itok=tR9RQcMX) ](/connect-contact/faculty-directory/sandra-obrien-phd-cne-cfnp-phcns-bc-rn)## Sandra O’Brien, PhD, CNE, CFNP, PHCNS-BC, RN

 Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Director, International Student Exchange Program, Clinical Assistant Professor

      



 [ ![Photo of Kristina Leyden. She has short brown hair and is wearing a grey blazer over a blue shirt with a bow tie.](/sites/nursing.catholic.edu/files/styles/ks_profile/public/2026-04/kristina-leyden.png?h=4d608430&itok=dHlu_SiV) ](/connect-contact/faculty-directory/kristina-leyden-phd-aprn-fnp-bc-chse)## Kristina Leyden, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE

 Assistant Dean of the Accelerated Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Program, Clinical Assistant Professor

      



 

 

 

 
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- [ Browse All Faculty Profiles ](/connect-contact/faculty-directory)
 
 

 

## Student Nurses' Association

The Student Nurses' Association (SNA) in the Conway School is another way you'll prepare for your career ahead. This student-led, professionally oriented organization supports the academic, clinical, and leadership development of individuals pursuing a career in nursing.



 

- [ More About SNA  ](/explore-our-school/clinicals-career/student-nurses-association)