Nursing Degree Programs in Louisiana
There is a national shortage of Registered Nurses in the healthcare profession, and as demands in public needs rise, this will create a surplus of jobs with not enough workers to fill them. It is expected that the profession of nursing will have expanded by 24% by the year 2020, and it is considered one of the fastest growing careers in our nation. The state of Louisiana has only 40,000 Registered Nurses currently employed which is far below the available positions. Incentives to train more nursing students has sparked incentive programs from community colleges and universities, and the affordability and accessibility to two year nursing programs is at a high.
In Louisiana, Registered Nurses make an average salary of $64,000 a year, which is considerably higher than the average household income for the state, which is only $44,000 per year. If you are just thinking about a career or are interested in a change in profession, you may want to consider studying to become a Registered Nurse in Louisiana. Between the rate of pay and the employment opportunities, it is a good decision for building your future.
YouTube Special Feature
Below is a video overview of the NSU nursing program.
Featured Louisiana Nursing School
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University has been committed to providing affordable education in nursing since the mid 1940’s and has established itself as one of the foremost nursing schools in the state. In an effort to further training and educations, Northwestern State University utilizes online courses for bridge programs to allow practicing nurses to continue their degree education. Flexible schedules and different time tracks for courses make this university very appealing.
The following degree programs are available:
• Associate Degree in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BSN
• LPN to RN
• LPN to BSN
• Master of Science in Nursing
Tuition for Northwestern State University is highly affordable, at just over $700 per undergraduate credit hour. Out of state students pay slightly more, but Federal Financial aid is available, as are grants and scholarships through the school. The course flexibility and the affordability of classes makes Northwestern State University an ideal place to earn a nursing degree.
University of Louisiana Overview
Campus: Shreveport, Louisiana
Type: Public, non-profit
Accreditation: Regionally Accredited by Institution of Higher Learning and State Boards of Nursing.
GRE/GMAT Required: No.
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years for undergraduate, and at least two years for graduate.
On Campus Requirement: Variable.
Programs: ASN, BSN, RN/BSN, LPN/RN, LPN/BSN, and MSN.
School Site: Tuition, Financial Aid, Admissions
Where to Earn Your Nursing Degree in Louisiana
Louisiana has some great colleges and universities for nursing studies with degrees that range from certificate diplomas to Doctoral Degrees. Below are some of the schools and the programs that they provide.
Online Nursing
Description
Chamberlain College of Nursing
RN to BSN Online Option
This online degree program allows you to earn your BSN in just three semesters, and you do not need to drive to class.
Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP
You can earn your DNP mostly online in as few as five semesters. Choose from Advanced Practice Leadership, or Healthcare Systems Leadership.
MSN Family Nurse Pracitioner
Earn your MSN in as little as two years online, so that you can become a nurse practitioner, which is one of the most in demand professions today.
University of Cincinnati
MSN Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
In this speciality, you will focus your career on women’s health, so that you can serve women’s health care needs in a diverse range of settings.
MSN Nursing Administration
Earn your MSN in the field of nursing administration online, so that you can develop the skills that you need to manage an entire hospital nursing department.
MSN Nurse Midwifery
This two year MSN program will give you the skills and knowledge to become an expert in women’s health.
MSN Adult Gero Clincial Nurse Specialist
You will learn how to improve the quality of care and health outcomes for a variety of adult patients in a diverse health care setting.
MSN Adult Gero Primary Care NP
This online two year degree speciality for your MSN will give you the skills to develop an exciting career in hospital based nursing.
Campus Nursing
Description
Baton Rouge Community College
Associate of Science in Nursing
The campus based program requires 72 credits and spans just over two years, offering you a comprehensive study in theory, practical knowledge, and practice of nursing techniques. This is perfect is you are interested in an affordable nursing degree that offers you the option to continue with further education.
Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Diploma Course for Practical Nursing
This campus based program can be completed in just under a year, and will prepare you for the licensing exam to become and LPN. The course is fully accredited and offers you one of the fastest ways to gain experience and start out in the field of nursing.
Grambling State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This degree program is a four year course of study that is campus based and will prepare you to practice as a Registered Nurse as well as continue your education. It offers a good basis for experiential learning and a deeper understanding of knowledge based skills.
RN to BSN
This bridge program may be completed in as little as a month and offers the 42 credit hours required for a BSN. Enrollment is dependent on existing credits that may be transferred, but years of experience will also be taken into consideration. This can be an easy way to increase your wages and your professional presence.
Family Nurse Practitioner Program
This course is a graduate line of study that can contribute to an eventual MSN. The classes last twenty one semesters and cover more in depth clinical and diagnostic techniques. This may be taken on its own to advance your knowledge or as a step towards a graduate degree in nursing.
Master of Science as Nurse Educator
This graduate program is a full time, campus based program that spans twenty-one months and focuses on specialty training and practices. Core classes include nursing research, advanced theory, and diagnostic techniques. This graduate program is ideal for building leadership skills and critical thinking abilities and can lead to better career advancement.
Louisiana Delta Community College
LPN to RN
This six month fast-track program allows students who have a certificate and licensing to practice as an LPN to progress to being a Registered Nurse. The program is highly affordable and offers a fast way to upgrade your wage scale. It is ideal if you have already been through a non credit nursing program, and can start you towards a better career and greater education.
Associate Degree in Nursing
The Associate program is an accredited course that offers a two year degree in Registered Nursing. The class is campus based and uses labs and lectures to train potential nurses. Credit hours may also be used towards a four year degree at a later point in time.
Louisiana Tech University
Associate of Science Degree
The training that is offered through this program is campus based and takes about two years to complete. It includes fundamentals of nursing theory as well as practice based learning. Students will have a chance to experience many healthcare settings by doing their supervised clinical rounds at area hospitals and health centers. The curriculum also covers biological sciences and psychology.
LSU at Alexandria
Associate Degree in Science
The two year Associate program at LSU covers classroom learning and practical application. Students will train in techniques in lab settings as well as in the medical center, to gain real world experience for nursing practices. The program requires a full time enrollment and stresses critical thinking and problem solving.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This degree is available as a two year option for RNs who have already completed an Associate program. If you are already working as a nurse and want to increase your education, that this course of study can be ideal. This program is also offered as a four year course that includes general education along with the nursing focus.
Associate Degree in Nursing
The two year ASN program is one of the quickest ways to become an Registered Nurse and gain college credit. The program uses class lectures, labs, and clinical rotations to prepare you for your licensing test and for the workforce.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The four year BSN program is campus based, with classroom and practical components. It will prepare you for a career as a Registered Nurse and allow you to continue your education to a higher level.
RN to BSN
This is an online bridge program that will allow you to gain your BSN while still working.
Master of Science in Nursing
The graduate program is a full time course of study that can last from four to six semester an provides good career opportunities and job advancement. Classes focus on leadership, education, research, and clinical knowledge.
Northwestern State University
Associate of Science in Nursing
This accredited program may be completed in as little as two years and offers college credits for further education. The courses are campus based and include class room learning and tests, as well as practical applications in a clinical setting. This is a good course to start out as a Registered Nurse, or if you plan to get you BSN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The four year program prepares students to work as a Registered Nurse and to continue on to higher education. It is campus based, and includes regional education requirements as well as the focus on nursing sciences.
LPN to ASN
This fast-track bridge program allows for nursing diploma students to swiftly get their Associate Degree. It is a good way to progress your income and step up to a new pay bracket.
LPN to BSN
This bridge program can take up to two years to complete and requires that you have been practicing as an LPN for at least a year. It creates a successful transition to a four year credit degree, and paves the way for graduate courses and professional growth.
RN to BSN
The RN to BSN bridge program can be completed in two years or less, and requires a minimum of 31 credit hours to complete. This course does not require campus attendance and is completed in an online format.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master program will prepare you to take on greater responsibilities in the nursing field. Focuses can include clinical proficiency, becoming a Nurse Practitioner, education, administration, and research options. This higher education is ideal for professional advancement and requires one week of the semester to be spent on campus.