Nursing School Information for Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette, located in the heart of Louisiana, is an excellent city for those who want to get into the nursing field. Not only is Lafayette home to over 241,000 residents, the area is known for its booming tourism industry. As a result, this city needs nursing professionals that are comfortable working with tourists and locals. No matter what type of nursing degree you want to earn, nursing schools in Lafayette can help you reach your goal.
There are a wide variety of nursing schools in Louisianna, and you may be able to find some of the best schools in Lafayette, LA. From LPN and RN programs to advanced nursing degrees, you should be able to find what you are looking for on our site. Once you do, request program information from the Lafayette LA colleges you are interested in to compare details.
Nursing Schools in Lafayette LA
Salaries vary widely within the nursing field, as with any profession. The biggest initial determiner of your income is what type of nursing license you get. The average salary for a Lafayette licensed practical nurse is $35,930
per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Registered nurses bring in a median income of $60,040 annually (BLS, 2016). At the post-graduate level, nurse practitioners claim a median salary of $87,040 each year (BLS, 2016).
Life and Career Options in Lafayette
If you’re looking for ways to save money on tuition expenses while gaining experience in the healthcare industry, you may want to consider working for a local healthcare organization. Many of these organizations are dedicated to helping employees complete their education, so they offer tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance.
Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center offers tuition reimbursement to employees that meet certain requirements. Lafayette General Health has many benefits for employees, including free in-house continuing education opportunities and a Clinical Education Department. One of the most prominent employers in Lafayette is Fresenius Medical Care, another employer with a tuition reimbursement program.
Hospitals in Lafayette Louisiana
Starting your career at a facility that’s known for its high-quality nursing care and dedication to nurses can make difference in your job satisfaction and job growth. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers Magnet recognition to facilities that focus on nursing research, patient care, and growth for staff nurses. Lafayette General Health is one of the largest Magnet facilities in Louisiana, giving nurses the chance to explore new specialties and career paths. Our Lady of Lourdes, with a focus on surgical care, has also achieved Magnet recognition.
Curriculum, Costs, and Financial Aid
To become a successful nurse in Lafayette, you need to be skilled in many different areas. Not only must you be able to communicate respectfully and clearly with patients, you need to be able to take orders from senior medical professionals. It’s also crucial to be skilled at various nursing procedures, from blood draws and patient exams to providing informed consent and administering medication.
The skills and knowledge areas you need to master are covered in the NCLEX-RN exam, which is what your nursing curriculum will likely be based on. Some of the courses you may take as a nursing student include Fundamentals of Caregiving, Community Healthy Nursing, Health Care for Adults, and Contemporary Approaches to Nursing Leadership. These courses encompass over 600 hours of practical nursing experience in a nursing home, clinic, or hospital.
It’s important to consider schools at different tuition points. One of the more affordable schools in Lafayette is South Louisiana Community College, where residents pay $163.15 per credit hour and non-residents pay $295.67 per credit hour. At the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, residents pay $3,436 per semester and non-residents pay $9,636 per semester. At St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, tuition is $8,700 per semester.
There are numerous scholarship opportunities in Lafayette. The Louisiana Association of Student Nurses offers multiple scholarships each school year. Another good resource for nursing scholarships is the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette. Scholarships are available for nursing students at certain schools through the Woman’s Foundation.
