NIH Clinical Center

We're not just a hospital. Or a research center. We're something more.

The NIH Clinical Center has been in the business of understanding, diagnosing and treating illnesses since it opened its doors in 1953. We focus on innovations that help millions but also help understand rare diseases that may only directly impact a few. All of this work, in partnership with our patients, helps us understand diseases and illnesses and search for solutions that can improve health for all Americans.

We are a unique resource with over 1,200 credentialed physicians, dentists, and PhD researchers; 620 nurses; and 450 allied health care personnel work in patient care units and laboratories focused on medical care and clinical study.

We are located at 10 Center Drive on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md. See Access and Directions for information on traveling to the campus as well as campus access and parking.

Ensuring Excellence in Research Care

Clinical Research Nursing is nursing practice with a specialty focus on providing clinical care to patients on research protocols. It includes activities that support protocol implementation, data collection, and research participant protection. In addition to providing and coordinating clinical care, clinical research nurses have a central role in assuring ongoing maintenance of informed consent, integrity of protocol procedures, and accuracy of research data collection.