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Top Louisiana RN to MSN Programs

NurseJournal Staff
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Updated November 7, 2022
    In Louisiana, there is a huge demand for advanced practice nurses. This is why we have also seen a steady rise in the number of people who enroll in MSN degree programs.
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    In Louisiana, there is a huge demand for advanced practice nurses. This is why we have also seen a steady rise in the number of people who enroll in MSN degree programs. This is great for residents of Louisiana, because it means the gap in health care is closing, leading to better outcomes. Furthermore, the state has the Louisiana Action Coalition, which attempts to remove barriers that prevent advanced practice nurses from doing their jobs properly. They currently have a $3 million budget to ensure nurses are able to deliver the best quality health care that is accessible and affordable.

    Salary and Career Outlook

    Once graduated, someone who holds an MSN is able to take an exam with the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This allows them to demonstrate that they are capable of working at their level and this results into very interesting salaries and other job benefits. The mean annual salary for a Family Nurse Practitioner in Louisiana is $96,940, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nurse Anesthetists can expect to earn around $154,390. And salaries are expected to rise significantly.

    Top Louisiana MSN Degree Programs

    If you are looking at completing an MSN degree in Louisiana, it is recommended to contact at least five different schools to find the best one for your needs. You need to look at things such as the programs and specializations they have, how much they cost, what their admissions criteria are and so on. Below are the top Louisiana MSN degree programs to help you get started.

    1
    Southern University and A&M College
    LocationBaton Rouge, LA

    This 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
    • School Site:  Tuition and Financial Aid
    2
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette
    LocationLafayette, LA

    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
    • School Site:  Tuition and Financial Aid
    3
    Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
    LocationBaton Rouge, LA

    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
    • School Site:  Tuition and Financial Aid
    4
    Northwestern State University
    LocationShreveport, LA

    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
    • School Site:  Tuition and Financial Aid
    5
    Louisiana State University
    LocationNew Orleans, LA

    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
    • School Site:  Tuition and Financial Aid
    6
    Grambling State University
    LocationGrambling, LA

    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
    • School Site:  Tuition and Financial Aid