Office of Recruitment
Undergraduate Programs
The faculty of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center offers a three-year program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program admits students in the fall and spring each year. Class size is limited and admission is very competitive. Our Traditional BSN degree program will prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and a professional nursing career.
An applicant may attend any accredited college or university to fulfill the required pre-nursing courses. During the time the applicant is enrolled in the pre-nursing courses, a separate application for admission must be submitted to the Office of Student Services/Affairs.
The faculty of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center offers a three-year program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program admits students in the fall and spring each year. Class size is limited, and admission is very competitive. Our Traditional BSN degree program will prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and a professional nursing career. LSU Health Science Center, School of Nursing main campus is in New Orleans and offers an Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
An applicant may attend any accredited college or university to fulfill the required pre-nursing courses. During the time the applicant is enrolled in the pre-nursing courses, a separate application for admission must be submitted to the Office of Student Services/Affairs.
The physical address of OCIS in Baton Rouge is located on the LSU Baton Rouge campus in the Huey P. Long Field House at 50 Field House Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
The faculty of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center offers the Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This program is designed for individuals who have earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in any field and who would like to become a nurse.
LSU Health Science Center, School of Nursing CARE program's main campus is in New Orleans and offers an Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport (LSUHSC-S). The New Orleans site program admits students in the fall each year. The OCIS at LSUHSC-S admits students in the fall and spring each year. Class size is limited and admission is very competitive. This program of study is for two-years. Our CARE BSN degree program will prepare you for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and a professional nursing career.
The faculty of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center offers the Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This program is designed for individuals who have earned a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in any field and who would like to become a nurse.
LSU Health Science Center, School of Nursing CARE program's main campus is in New Orleans and offers an Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport (LSUHSC-S). The New Orleans site program admits students in the fall each year. The OCIS at LSUHSC-S admits students in the fall and spring each year. Class size is limited and admission is very competitive. This program of study is for two-years. Our CARE BSN degree program will prepare you for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and a professional nursing career.
The physical address of OCIS in Shreveport is Louisiana State University Health Science Center-Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130.
The faculty of LSU Health New Orleans offers a one-year program of study designed specifically for the RN with an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing. This program is based on principles of adult education and focused on the skills and experiences nurses bring to the educational setting. The RN to BSN coursework includes required general education and nursing courses designed and delivered for RN's only.
The RNBSN Articulation Program is offered at LSU Health Science Center, School of Nursing – New Orleans and the Off-Campus Instructional Site at LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing – Shreveport. This program admits students in the fall, spring, and summer each year. Our RN to BSN degree program provides a broad liberal and professional education that builds upon the competencies and knowledge achieved in previous nursing education and practice.
A student must have an unencumbered license to practice nursing in the state of Louisiana and have earned an Associate Degree or Diploma in nursing from any accredited college or university to fulfill the required pre-nursing courses.
Graduate Programs
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration is an intensive Master of Science in Nursing degree program designed for full time completion in five semesters. The curriculum is built on theory and skills acquired in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. The purpose is to prepare nurses to become a clinical nurse leader at the master's level as a generalist that cultivates quality improvement and care coordination. The CNL implements evidence-based practice, collects and evaluates patient outcomes assesses cohort risks and guides plans for care as indicated.
The Nurse Educator concentration is an intensive Master of Science in Nursing degree designed for completion in one year. The curriculum is built on theory and skills acquired in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. The purpose is to prepare nurses to become nurse educators and accomplish their career goals in academic, practice and service settings. The program utilizes adult learning theory: course content is presented in relation to nursing and education theory, curriculum development, critical thinking, leadership and nurse educator roles, and traditional and online teaching strategies in nursing.
Applications are accepted for the fall and summer semesters. The MSN program, Nurse Educator concentration, is offered at two locations, LSU Health Science Center, School of Nursing main campus is in New Orleans with an Off-Campus Instructional Site at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport. Please follow the application deadlines designated on the application packet.
BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Advanced Practice Nursing Roles
The Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 83 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Competencies (AACN, 2010), National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP Competencies (2009), and the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006). Students achieve the DNP program outcomes by building on the baccalaureate level adult gerontology nursing content. This program prepares an adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist at the graduate level who has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced assessments and provide care to the entire adult to older adult age group and across the continuum of care from wellness to acute care. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are adult gerontology patient assessments, seminars, case studies/discussions, and acute, chronic, and long term care clinical practicums that focus on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of adult gerontology patients. Students will provide patient-centered, evidence-based care and design innovations to improve patient outcomes and quality of care. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The BSN to DNP Entry-level Nurse Anesthesia Program consists of 138 graduate credit hours leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a specialization in Nurse Anesthesia. The curriculum integrates health sciences with nursing sciences to prepare students as advanced practitioners in nurse anesthesia who are eligible for certification as a certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Students are prepared to assume leadership roles in anesthesia and provide anesthesia care to patients in medically underserved areas. Students are educated to integrate research and evidence-based practice into their anesthesia practice.
The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 36 month course of continuous study. Students do not follow the traditional semester format upon entering the anesthesia practicum series. To provide students with necessary clinical hours to accomplish course and clinical objectives and comply with the required number and types of anesthesia cases by the Council on Accreditation (COA), each semester is continuous with the next semester (block format) with vacation (time off) and holidays appropriately dispersed on an individual student basis.
The Nurse-Midwife post-baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 86 semester credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice (ACNM, 2020), the ACNM Competencies for the Practice Doctorate in Midwifery (ACNM, 2011) and the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006). The program prepares nurse-midwives with the specialized knowledge, skills and abilities to provide all components of midwifery care including primary care from adolescence throughout the lifespan, reproductive and sexual healthcare, care during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, and care of the normal newborn for the first 28 days of life.
The BSN to DNP nurse-midwifery program builds on the baccalaureate level comprehensive nursing content and the art and science of midwifery to meet the DNP program outcomes and prepare nurse-midwives as leaders in healthcare with the skills to improve health outcomes for individuals, groups and populations. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are seminars, case studies, group discussion, skills lab, simulation and practicum experience. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of nurse-midwifery under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
DNP plans of study in the nurse-midwifery program are offered via different admission pathways. Each pathway and plan of study considers the applicant’s highest degree earned and current advanced practice certification role and population.
Welcome to the only Nurse Practitioner Program within a Health Sciences Center in Louisiana. Our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program offers seven NP population-focused concentrations and three elective Advanced Practice Nursing Advanced Specialties.
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 86 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused critical curricular elements (NONPF, 2022) for the AGACNP.
This program prepares the student at the graduate level with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing comprehensive, holistic care of adolescent to older adult patients with episodic, critical, and complex illness or injury, as well as chronic disease exacerbations. Additionally, the program prepares students to stabilize patient conditions, prevent complications, restore and maintain maximum health, and provide palliative and end-of-life care. The AGACNP education is distinguished from other population-focused NP concentrations by preparing learners to deliver care to patients characterized as physiologically unstable, experiencing life-threatening illness or injury, high severity, or highly vulnerable to complications within a continuum of care ranging from disease prevention to critical care. The AG-ACNP does not provide routine health maintenance for the well adult.
Clinical settings include community-based specialty clinics and hospitals. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and simulation. Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients from middle adolescence through the adult lifespan. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 86 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused curriculum elements (NONPF, 2022) for the AGPCNP.
This program prepares the student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing comprehensive longitudinal care to patients with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention of adolescent to older adult patients, including with episodic illness and injury, chronic disease management, frailty and patients requiring palliative or end-of-life care. The AGPCNP education is distinguished from other population-focused NP concentrations by preparing learners to deliver care to medically and psychologically stable patients that support the intersection of undifferentiated episodic and chronic physical and mental health conditions; and to identify, diagnose, and refer patients experiencing sudden or progressive deterioration.
Clinical settings include community-based clinics and urgent care settings. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and simulation. Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients from middle adolescence through the adult lifespan. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 77 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the Educational Standards: Curriculum Guidelines and Education Competencies for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs (NANNP, 2023), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused curriculum elements (NONPF, 2022) for the NNP.
This program prepares the student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing holistic, family-centered care for preterm neonates, infants, and toddlers who may need intervention for preterm or complicated birth, medically unstable situations, episodic illness, primary preventative care, or chronic disease management from birth at any gestation to 2 years. Additionally, patients with special needs may be served by the NNP as consultant or provider; special needs may include but are not limited to a patient with severe developmental delay, transitioning from neonatal to pediatric care, or a child with a congenital, genetic, or other neonatal disorder. The NNP education is further distinguished from other population-focused NP concentrations by preparing learnings with a focus on embryology, transition to extrauterine life, and management of high-risk preterm and term infants; and ongoing secondary and tertiary prevention related to chronic disease that presents during the first two years of life, including palliative and end-of-life care for babies and their families.
Clinical settings include neonatal intensive care units, newborn nursery, delivery rooms, and community-based follow up clinics. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are seminars, case studies/discussions, skills lab, simulation and practicum experiences. Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients from birth at any gestation to 2 years. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (PNPAC) post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 91 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused curriculum elements (NONPF, 2022) for the PNPAC.
This program prepares the student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing comprehensive, holistic and family-centered care of patients from infancy to 21 years with acute, critical, and complex illness or injury, as well as chronic disease exacerbations. Additionally, the curriculum prepares students to stabilize patient conditions, prevent complications, restore and maintain maximum health, and provide palliative and end-of-life care. The PNPAC education is distinguished from other population-focused NP concentrations by preparing learners to deliver care to pediatric patient populations characterized as physiologically unstable, experiencing life-threatening illness or injury, high severity, or highly vulnerable to complications within a continuum of care ranging from disease prevention to critical care. The PNP-AC does not provide routine health maintenance for the well child.
Clinical settings include community-based specialty clinics and hospital settings. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and simulation. Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients from infancy to 21-years of age. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (PNPPC) post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 91 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused curriculum elements (NONPF, 2022) for the PNPPC.
This program prepares the student at the graduate level with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing comprehensive and developmentally appropriate child- and family-centered health care to manage episodic, chronic, and progressive disorders and to optimize child health by promoting and maintaining the holistic health of children, families, and communities. Graduates will be prepared to provide care for patients from infancy to 21 years old who are healthy or those with congenital, genetic, or other childhood disorders requiring disease specific consultation. A focus on the delivery of routine childhood surveillance, health maintenance and anticipatory guidance for families to promote healthy growth and development and minimize risk factors.
Clinical settings include community-based and urgent care settings. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and simulation. Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients from infancy to 21 years old. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (PCFNP) post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 86 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused curriculum elements (NONPF, 2022) for the FNP.
The PCFNP program prepares the student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing comprehensive longitudinal care to patients with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention to patients across the lifespan, including infants through the end of life. The PCFNP education is distinguished from other population-focused NP concentrations by preparing learners to deliver care to patients that support the intersection of undifferentiated episodic and chronic physical and mental health conditions; and to identify, diagnose, and refer patients experiencing sudden or progressive deterioration.
Clinical settings include community-based clinics and urgent care settings. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and simulation. Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients across the lifespan. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) post-baccalaureate to DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 90 credit hours. The plan of study is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials (AACN, 2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Nurse Practitioner Role Core Competencies and Population-focused curriculum elements (NONPF, 2022) for the PMHNP.
The PMHNP program prepares the student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced nursing practice by providing comprehensive longitudinal care to individuals across the lifespan with a focus on the prevention and treatment of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders. The PMHNP education is distinguished from other population-focused NP concentrations by preparing learners to provide holistic and trauma-informed care that is grounded in the principles of resilience, to conduct individual and group psychotherapy, and to prescribe and manage psychopharmacological treatments for individuals and families with all levels of severity. Clinical settings include community-based outpatient, residential, and inpatient psychiatric settings. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are lectures, seminars, case studies, presentations, and simulation.
Clinical learning experiences focus on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients across the lifespan. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
Graduate students can choose a specialty course to add to an APRN concentration within the DNP curriculum. The advanced specialty nursing courses were designed to enhance the population-focused curriculum and facilitate the student's transition into specialty practice upon graduation as needed.
- Advanced Emergency Nursing
- Advanced Nephrology Nursing
- Advanced Oncology Nursing
The successful completion of Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment are required before taking Advanced Specialty courses.
Graduate students can choose a specialty course to add to an APRN concentration within the DNP curriculum. The advanced specialty nursing courses were designed to enhance the population-focused curriculum and facilitate the student's transition into specialty practice upon graduation as needed.
- Advanced Emergency Nursing
- Advanced Nephrology Nursing
- Advanced Oncology Nursing
The successful completion of Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment are required before taking Advanced Specialty courses.
Graduate students can choose a specialty course to add to an APRN concentration within the DNP curriculum. The advanced specialty nursing courses were designed to enhance the population-focused curriculum and facilitate the student's transition into specialty practice upon graduation as needed.
- Advanced Emergency Nursing
- Advanced Nephrology Nursing
- Advanced Oncology Nursing
The successful completion of Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment are required before taking Advanced Specialty courses.
Aggregate, Systems, and Organizational Roles
The Executive Nurse Leader (ENL) post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 80 credit hours. The ENL plan of study is developed, implemented, and will be revised based on the American Nurses Association Nursing Administration Scope and Standards of Practice (ANA, 2016), the American Organization of Nurse Executive Competencies (ANOE, 2015), and the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006). Students in this program will achieve the DNP program outcomes by building on the baccalaureate level nursing management content and the student's practicum experiences. The program prepares the executive nurse leader at the graduate level who has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced leadership in nursing practice and health care delivery. The student will also gain knowledge about human resource management, finances and healthcare economics, quality and patient safety, emergency preparedness, and healthcare law and risk management. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are seminars, case studies/discussions, and practicums that focus on the preparation of nurse leaders to advance the quality of care and outcomes for populations and communities. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
The Public/Community Health Nursing (PCHN) post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 84 credit hours. The plan of study is revised based on the American Nurses Association, Public Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (2013), Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations Public Health Nursing Competencies (2011) and the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006). Students achieve the DNP program outcomes by building on the baccalaureate level public/community health nursing content. This program prepares a public/community health nurse at the graduate level who has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in advanced individual and community assessments, program planning, development, implementation and evaluation. In addition, this graduate will have knowledge regarding environmental health nursing, disaster nursing, and public health law. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are community and environmental assessments, seminars, case studies/discussions, and public health clinical practicums. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.
Post-Masters DNP
The post-master's DNP (PM-DNP) curriculum has two pathways: (1) PM-DNP in same role and population as master's degree and current certification (as applicable) and (2) PM-DNP to add a new APRN role or population to current certification.
PM-DNP in the same role and population as master/s degree and current certification (as applicable) requires a minimum of 36 credits. Required practicum hours are individualized based on the number of hours completed in the master's program. All students must complete a minimum requirement of 180 practicum hours (3 credit hours). Completion of the series of advanced nursing practicum courses provides the student with a minimum of 1000 hours of postbaccalaureate academic practice experience. Students may enroll in a full time or part-time program of study. Full time students will complete the program in four (4) semesters; part-time students may complete the program in seven (7) semesters. The maximum time to complete the program is eight (8) years. Each nursing role and population builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Master's degree and emphasize the utilization of theoretical formulations as a basis of nursing practice.
Example: I have practiced as a CNS for 10 years and would like to earn the DNP degree.
PM-DNP to add a new APRN role or population to current certification is designed for the student already board certified as an Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse (APRN) seeking a different role or population focus. Clinical learning experiences will be respective to the chosen plan of study in addition to also completing a series of advanced nursing practicum courses aimed to support the successful completion of the DNP project. Students may enroll full-time or part-time and must complete the program in eight (8) years.
Example: I have practiced as a CNS for 10 years and would like to complete academic and clinical requirements to sit for certification as a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner upon graduation with a DNP degree.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing degree is a research-focused doctorate, widely recognized for its emphasis on intellectual inquiry, scholarship, and research. The PhD in Nursing is conferred for work of distinction in which the student displays the ability to make an original contribution of scholarship in nursing. The PhD program prepares nurse scientists to generate knowledge that advances the science of nursing. The PhD in Nursing graduate will design and conduct original research, lead inter-professional research teams, and disseminate research findings. Commensurate with the LSUHNO SON mission, vision, and core values, the PhD in Nursing student embraces ethically and scientifically responsible research.
The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing curriculum is to prepare nurse scholars for academic careers, and a variety of roles including those in clinical practice and administration, to include research to inform their work in healthcare.
Resources for Future Students
Office of Recruitment Staff
Riley Browne
Nurse Recruiter and Marketing Developer
Phone: 504-568-4188
Email: rbro30@lsuhsc.edu