Louisiana RN to BSN Bridge Programs
Continuing your nursing education by attending one of the nursing schools in Louisiana that offer an RN to BSN program can lead to new and valuable experiences in your nursing career. The Institute of Medicine has called for an aims to increase in the number of RN’s in the country with a baccalaureate degree by 2020 to 80 percent of all practicing nurses. You can be on the forefront of this movement by attending an RNtoBSN program.
At BestNursingDegree.com, we want to help you find the right RN to BSN program to meet your needs. We have accumulated all of the accredited RN to BSN programs in the state of Louisiana so you can compare and contrast each school, ensuring you make the right choice for you. You can request program materials from multiple schools to help improve your chances at being accepted somewhere, as programs can fill up fast. Also, be sure to consider online nursing programs in LA for their flexible scheduling and locally based clinical opportunities.
According to the Louisiana Center for Nursing, Louisiana now has 48,300 RNs residing in the state, a 14.5 percent increase since 2006. About three-quarters of the RNs work full-time, 13 percent work part-time, and the remainder are not working for various reasons. While over half of the nurses in Louisiana work in hospitals, hospital employment is declining. The fastest growing place of employment for Louisiana nurses in in physician offices, following by positions in long-term care, and home/community health. Getting your Bachelor’s in Nursing can help position you for these expanded job settings
With an average age of 44 years, and over 26 percent of nurses over the age of 50, a good number of Louisiana nurses will likely be approaching retirement age in the next few years, and the state will need incoming nurses to help fill that void. A greater percentage of qualified applicants are now being admitted to pre-licensure BSN nursing programs in Louisiana than to associate’s degree programs. If you’d like to join the growing number of Louisiana nurses with BSN degrees, check out some of the RN to BSN programs available in the state that are listed below.
RN to BSN Degree Core Curriculum in Louisiana
In the state of Louisiana, transitioning from an (ADN) Associate Degree in Nursing to a (BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing can be accelerated through various nursing programs offered by attending brick and mortar colleges, taking online courses, or engaging in a combination of both.
The expedited RN to BSN programs may include the following courses dealing with:
- Administrative and management issues
- Ethical matters as related to legal and medical topics
- Advanced pathophysiology concepts
- Statistical data as related to health problems
- Psychology as related to mental health and developmental matters
- Sociology as related to cultural issues
Every state has specific laws that sets forth the duties of a registered nurse, whether working with either an ADN or a BSN degree. See the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) for information on what is allowed within the job description of a registered nurse working in the state.
While the LSBN considers a nurse to be a full-fledged RN as long as he or she passes the NCLEX-RN exam, many hospitals and other medical facilities are leaning toward hiring only nurses with a BSN, and/or they are setting a deadline for ADN nurses who are already employed to obtain a BSN. Find the best nursing schools in Louisiana to earn your RN to BSN by requesting information about the programs below. Many nursing schools in LA offer online options that can make getting your Bachelor’s in Nursing a flexible and feasible option.
Careers for the RN to BSN in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2013 data RNs in Louisiana earn a median annual salary of $61,780. As you increase your experience and education, you can reasonably expect this figure to grow. Earning your BSN is great way to position yourself at the forefront of your profession.
Since nurses with a BSN have two more years of education than a nurse with only an ADN, many medical facilities assume that they may be more knowledgeable when dealing with:
- Administrative and leadership positions
- Researching statistical data as related to the nursing field
- Positions dealing with ethics in legal and medical problems
- Writing and implementing policy and procedures for a facility
When transitioning from an ADN-RN to a BSN, it can take as little as 12 months, depending on what program you choose. There are several online nursing programs in Louisiana, as well as out of state, that can help you earn your degree at your own pace. After graduation, you will be more qualified for advancement in the nursing profession, and you will be better prepared to deal with the ever changing role of nursing within the larger industry of healthcare.
BSN Programs to Consider in Louisiana
- University of Louisiana (Lafayette): This program offers a flexible, online program to its students with multiple start dates throughout the year. Students may complete the program completely online in as little as 12 months. University of Louisiana Lafayette nursing graduates have achieved 1st time NCLEX pass rates of 97% for over twenty years.
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana (Shreveport): This program offers a flexible, individualized program to its students. Students may take traditional classes at Alexandria during the day or may elect to take online classes instead. Many of the classes can be completed in eight weeks. Clinical requirements can be met in the student’s home community.
- Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (Baton Rouge): This unique program allows RNs to complete their BSN degree while working on their MSN at the same time. RNs may select the nurse educator or the nurse administrator track. A full-time student can complete the required nursing classes in two semesters for the BSN, with the MSN taking a total of four semesters.
- Loyola University (New Orleans): Loyola offers only upper division nursing classes. Transfer credit is awarded for associate degree or diploma work. Nursing courses are offered in seven week sessions; most nurses schedule one or two classes per session. Clinical rotations are not required. Instead, the program offers practicum projects to fit into a student’s schedule.
