National Institutes of Health
Specialty hospital in Montgomery County, MD
- $86k–$187k/yr posted pay across 6 roles
- Hiring days
- Nurse residency
From 8 postings, the employer’s site and nurse reviews · Employer research Aug 1, 2026Sources
The short version
You are deciding whether the NIH Clinical Center in Montgomery County, Maryland is where you want to nurse. This is a hospital devoted entirely to clinical research—about 1,600 studies, mostly Phase I and II—where bedside care and lab science sit in the same building.
Employer research, Aug 1, 2026
You can enter through the 12-month NIH Clinical Research Nursing Residency (CRNRP), ANCC PTAP-accredited with distinction, built for newly licensed grads with under a year of experience.
For new gradsSources
You work inside the Clinical Center, a hospital devoted entirely to clinical research with roughly 1,600 studies and mostly Phase I/II trials running beside the bedside.
For experienced nursesSources
Residency months mix educators and preceptors with didactic time, simulation, shadow shifts, and reflective practice—not sink-or-swim alone.
For new gradsSources
As of 2025Source: cc.nih.gov
Who it fits
Best fit
- New grads: Nurse residency: NIH Clinical Research Nursing Residency Program (CRNRP) · ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) with distinction; also recognized as IRAP · Applications: Applications open mid-May; apply via www.nih.usajob.gov
- Nurse nurses: 4 of 8 roles
Not a fit
- New grads: all 8 roles ask for nursing experienceNew grad jobs near Montgomery County
Nursing here
- Nurse residency
NIH Clinical Research Nursing Residency Program (CRNRP) · ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) with distinction; also recognized as IRAP · Applications: Applications open mid-May; apply via www.nih.usajob.gov
National Institutes of Health · employer research
Sources
- Preceptors and orientation
Residency includes educators and preceptors; didactic, simulation, shadow experiences, and reflective practice.
National Institutes of Health · employer research
Sources
As of 2025Source: cc.nih.gov- Career development
Residency goals include exploring career pathways in clinical research nursing; APN roles posted at GS-0610-13.
National Institutes of Health · employer research
Sources
As of 2025Source: cc.nih.gov
Units hiring now
- NurseDays 14 open
- ORDays 12 open
- ICU1 open
- Psych1 open
Clinical Research (Oncology)
Residency ideal candidates list interest in Oncology among clinical research nursing areas at NIH Clinical Center.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: cc.nih.govMedical-Surgical
Residency ideal candidates list Medical-Surgical among interest areas for clinical research nursing.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: cc.nih.govPediatrics
Residency ideal candidates list Pediatrics among interest areas; APN posting covers pediatric and/or adult care in research settings.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: cc.nih.govNeurology
Residency ideal candidates list Neurology among clinical research nursing interest areas.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: cc.nih.govPerioperative (OR/PACU)
Residency ideal candidates list Perioperative (Operating Room, PACU) among interest areas.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: cc.nih.govClinical Center (research hospital)
NIH Clinical Center is the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research; clinical and lab research run shoulder-to-shoulder.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: nih.govClinical Research Nursing
Research nurse review cites a great nurse-to-patient ratio at the Clinical Center.
Sources
Source location unconfirmedSource: indeed.com
Workplace photos
What nurses say
Themes from public reviews
Summaries of published reviews, with the original sources.
- Research prestige and learning
- Nurses describe the Clinical Center as a premier research setting with strong learning and a gifted interdisciplinary team from bedside to labs.
Sources
As of 2025-11-04Source: indeed.com- Staffing ratios
- Reviewers highlight a favorable nurse-to-patient ratio at the Clinical Center.
Sources
As of 2024-02-09Source: indeed.com- Management and accountability
- Some research nurses report unprofessional peer behavior going unaddressed and describe politics and weak leadership.
Sources
As of 2024-02-09Source: indeed.com
More review themes
- Overall ratings snapshot
- Indeed research-nurse aggregate about 4.3; Glassdoor NIH overall 4.1 with roughly 80% recommending to a friend.
Sources
The hard parts
Some research nurses say unprofessional peer behavior goes unaddressed and point to politics and weak leadership on the unit.
Sources
As of 2024-02-09Source: indeed.comMass layoffs at HHS are underway
What to ask
- How is base pay set for the role, and which differentials apply?
- Which shifts are open, and what are the weekend, holiday and call rules?
- How long is orientation, and will I have one preceptor?
- What is the usual patient load, and how often do nurses float?
Common questions
Does National Institutes of Health hire new grads?
All 8 roles ask for nursing experience, and none says it welcomes new grads. Its nurse residency: NIH Clinical Research Nursing Residency Program (CRNRP) · ANCC Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) with distinction; also recognized as IRAP · Applications: Applications open mid-May; apply via www.nih.usajob.gov.
Which shifts are open?
Of the 2 roles with a stated shift, 2 are day shifts.
Which units are hiring?
Nurse (4), OR (2), ICU (1) and psych (1).
How do I apply?
Choose a role and press Apply. Your application comes to our team, we send it to National Institutes of Health, and we tell you what happens next.
Current openings at National Institutes of Health
- RN
- RN
- RN
- Per diem
- ADN accepted
National Institutes of Health
Multiple Locations
Nurse (Clinical Research)
$95,000–$133,000/year
- RN
- Day shift
Nurse (Clinical Research)
$86,000–$120,000/year
- RN
- ADN accepted
Supervisory Nurse
$144,000–$187,000/year
- RN
- ADN accepted
- Tuition reimbursement
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner)
$122,000–$158,000/year
- RN
Sources
- cc.nih.gov
Employer website
- cc.nih.gov/sites/default/files/internet-files/nursing/pdfs/CRNRP_Information_Packet.pdf
The short version, Nursing here · as of 2025
- cc.nih.gov/nursing/careers/research-training
The short version, Nursing here · as of 2025
- facebook.com/NIHClinicalCenter/posts/with-more-than-600-nurses-clinical-research-nursing-roles-at-the-nih-clinical-ce/10157366360309914
The short version, Nursing here · as of 2025
- glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-NIH-EI_IE11709.11,14.htm
What nurses say · as of 2025
- healthcarefinancenews.com/news/mass-layoffs-hhs-are-underway
The hard parts
- indeed.com/cmp/National-Institutes-of-Health/reviews
Nursing here, What nurses say, The hard parts · as of 2025-11-04
- nih.gov/about-nih/nih-almanac/clinical-center-cc
The short version, Nursing here
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