Top Louisiana RN to MSN Programs

Southern University and A & M College wants to deliver the most professional nurses who are committed to service delivery and to their own professional development. The curriculum is fully relevant to the nursing culture and the standards of practice. The school wants to ensure their programs are nationally recognized, particularly for their nursing research center. Their student population is very diverse and their pass rates are consistently above the national average. Additionally, the school has always focused on students from disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds.

• Campus: Baton Rouge, LA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $3,792 for in state students and $3,737 for out of state students
• Minimum time commitment: 34 to 41
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: Transcripts, GRE, RN license, three letters of recommendation
• Programs: MSN Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator

At the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, students will learn that in order to be successful, they must advance themselves within their careers. The university offers a range of MSN degree programs that are designed to create true nursing leaders. The focus is very much on the student and on what their personal aspirations and goals are.

• Campus: Lafayette, LA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $782 for residents and $1,342 for non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 2 years
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, GRE, GPA of 2.75 minimum, statistics and health assessment course, RN license, three letters of recommendation, personal statement
• Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, formerly Our Lady of the Lake College, follows the teachings of Florence Nightingale, the godmother of nursing. They link their education with the Catholic Social Justice framework, ensuring that the health care needs of the communities in Louisiana are served appropriately. They want to be a true center of excellence, recognized nationally.

• Campus: Baton Rouge, LA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: NLNAC
• Tuition: $956.14 per hour for MSNA, $669.78 per hour for MSN
• Minimum time commitment: 30 credit hours
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, RN
• Programs: MSN Nursing Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Education

At Northwestern State University, learning opportunities towards an MSN are provided for registered nurses who already hold a bachelor’s degree. These focus on developing the right attitudes, knowledge and skills. The programs create graduates who are the best in what they do and who are able to make true contributions to health care delivery in the field and geographical area in which they work.

• Campus: Shreveport, LA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $1,011.65 per credit hour
• Minimum time commitment: 30 hours
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, GPA of 3.0 minimum, GRE, RN license, statistics and health assessment course, clinical experience, malpractice insurance, two letters of recommendation
• Programs: ACNP, Adult Nursing, FNP, Critical Care Nursing of Adult, NNP, Maternal Child Nursing, PNP, WHNP

Louisiana State University faculty members want to make sure that their degree programs are based on professional knowledge, learning, applied skills and attitudes. The idea is that every individual is a holistic person. The focus is very much on in-depth awareness of specific nursing roles and to conduct appropriate research to improve service delivery. The goal is to provide the most professional graduates who, in turn, are able to truly make a difference to the health outcomes of the populations they serve.

• Campus: New Orleans, LA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $3,265.25 per semester for residents and $6,492.25 for non residents. Nurse anesthesia program is $8,273 per semester for residents and $13,561 for non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 35 to 50 hours
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, GPA of 3.0 minimum, GRE, three letters of recommendation, TOEFL if applicable, RN license, one year clinical nurse experience, scholarly paper
• Programs: Adult Health Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist, Neonatal NP, Community Health Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nurse Anesthetist, Primary Care NP, Parent-Child Health Nursing CNS, Psychiatric and Community Mental Health Nursing CNS

At Grambling State University, the MSN degree programs are designed to facilitate learning. As such, the majority of the programs are delivered through distance learning, with once a week on campus meetings. Students also have to take part in clinical experiences, and the faculty ensures these can be completed in the geographical area of the student.

• Campus: Grambling, LA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: NLNAC
• Tuition: $3,240.65 for 12 hours semester hours for commuting residents, $6,423.65 for boarding residents, $7,850.15 for off campus non-residents, $11,033.15 for on campus non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 21 month
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, transcripts, GRE, TOEFL if applicable
• Programs: Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner