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Top Louisiana RN to BSN Programs

As of today, around half of the three million RNs working in the U.S. hold bachelor's degrees. By the end of 2020, however, the Institute of Medicine projects that 8 in 10 registered nurses practicing in the United States will be expected to hold BSN degrees. As a result of this trend, forward-thinking RNs who wish to stay competitive in their field are headed back to college to enroll in RN to BSN bridge programs. In addition to increasing their earning potential, RNs with BSN degrees positions themselves nicely for future career advancement and graduate degrees like MSNs, DNPs, and PhDs down the road. Today, post-secondary institutions have made it incredibly easy for RNs to earn their BSNs in a relatively short amount of time, from the comfort of their own homes. With new programs popping up every year, finding the best options in your area can be a tedious and time-consuming ordeal. To assist you in your journey towards becoming a BSN-educated RN, we've compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs in the state of Louisiana.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Louisiana

Choosing an RN to BSN program to attend is a life-changing decision that should be researched thoroughly. Before ultimately deciding on a program to enroll in, consider the following:

  • Program success rate
  • Instructor experience/credentials
  • Program acceptance rate
  • Student satisfaction rate
  • Percentage of graduates who found jobs
  • Program retention rate
  • Tuition cost and associated fees
  • Class sizes
  • Program accreditations, accolades, or awards
  • Time the program has been continually operating for
  • Internship opportunities at local hospitals or healthcare facilities
  • Cost of living in the area

Testing and Certification

Since ADN-educated RNs are required to have passed the NCLEX-RN exam before becoming a licensed RN, taking the exam for a second time after completing an RN to BSN program is not required.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana

1. Nicholls State University

First established in 1948, Nicholls State University is a public university located in the city of Thibodaux that's a part of the University of Louisiana system. NSU offers students a 30 semester credit hour, online RN to BSN bridge program that can typically be finished in one calendar year if taken in a full-time format. Throughout the program, students will take courses like Health Assessment for the Adult Client, Professional Nursing Practices, Gerontic Nursing Care Concepts, and more.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Thibodaux Regional Medical Center
  • Terrebonne General Medical Center
  • Ochsner St. Anne Hospital

Tuition:

Both in-state and out-of-state students who enroll in Nicholls State University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay $31,290 in tuition plus additional fees.

2. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, founded originally in 1923, is a private Catholic university located in the city of Baton Rouge. The university offers a fully online, 27 semester credit hour RN to BSN that students can complete in as little as 12 months. Students enrolled in the program can maintain full-time employment since course material is available 24 hours a day. Courses students will encounter during the program include Evidence-Based Nursing, Leadership Principles in Nursing, Healthcare Policy, and more. New class cohorts are admitted five times each school year.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Promise Hospital of Baton Rouge
  • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
  • Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay $14,040 in tuition plus additional fees.

3. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Originally established in 1898, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a four-year university located in Lafayette that offers an RN to BSN bridge program that can be completed entirely online. The 30 semester unit program, which most students tend to complete in about 12 months, introduces concepts like Nursing in a Disaster, Health & Physical Assessment, and Trends in Genetics and Genomics, among others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Lafayette General Surgery Center
  • University Hospital & Clinics
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Women & Children's Hospital

Tuition:

Students who enroll in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's RN to BSN program can expect to pay $9,500 in tuition plus additional fees.

4. Louisiana State University

First established in 1853, Louisiana State University is a public research university that's situated in the city of Baton Rouge. LSU offers students a 30 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that can generally be completed in one year. During the program, students will be introduced to topics such as Nursing Leadership in the Health Care System, Population Focused Nursing, and Pathophysiology, just to name a few. New students are admitted into the program each fall and spring.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Woman's Hospital
  • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
  • Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge

Tuition:

To find out more about LSU's program tuition, call them directly at (617)-612-2880.

5. Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond

Situated in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a public university that has been serving the public since 1925. SLU offers a flexible, 31 semester credit hour RN to BSN bridge program that can be completed 100 percent online so that RNs can continue to work alongside their coursework. The program, which new students can enter three times each year, can be completed in as little as a year. Unlike many other RN to BSN programs, each student in SLU's RN to BSN program is assigned a faculty coach who actively assists them throughout the program's entire duration.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • North Oaks Health System
  • PAM Specialty Hospital of Hammond
  • Ochsner Health System - Tangipahoa

Tuition:

Both in-state and out-of-state students who enroll in Southern Louisiana University - Hammond's RN to BSN program can expect to pay approximately $9,500 to attend.