Become Nurse In Louisiana + Requirements & Licensing

Louisiana is a great state to work in for those who are in the health care profession. Demand is high and there are many different opportunities. Let’s take a look at how to become a nurse in this state.

You can become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by completing a one year diploma program. Or you can also become a Registered Nurse (RN), by completing either a two year associate’s degree (ADN) or a four year bachelor’s degree (BSN).

With all three programs, the first year, which is the only year for the LPN, is about basic patient care and basic nursing skills and knowledge. In the second year, which is the final year for ADN students, you will learn more in depth knowledge and take some specialized courses. The final two years of a BSN program go even further in-depth, looking at topics, such as pharmaceutical research, public health policy, or radiology.

Passing the NCLEX-PN exam allows you to get to work as an LPN. On the other hand, the NCLEX-RN exam allows you to start working as an RN. Because these are national exams, they offer you the opportunity to move to other states as well.

To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you will need to complete the following stages.

The Louisiana State Board of Nursing determines which programs meet the necessary standards. To qualify, the degree program must be at master’s level or above. It must also be nationally accredited. A full list of approved programs can be found online. They also have stringent requirements in terms of the courses that have to be included in the curriculum. These courses are:

You can have prescriptive authority if you are a licensed nurse practitioner (LNP). However, you must demonstrate that you have completed 3 credit hours (the equivalent of 45 credit hours) of physiology/pathophysiology training and a further 3 credit hours of advanced pharmacotherapeutics.

Various national certification agencies exist that have their own eligibility standards and examination requirements. The Board recognizes four APRN roles:

The following agencies are recognized by the Board:

You can apply for your initial license through the Application for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Initial Licensure by Examination. If you want to add an additional APRN role, you must complete the Request for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Licensure in an Additional APRN Role/Population Focus/Specialty. Finally, if you want to earn your license by endorsement, you must complete the Application for APRN Licensure by Endorsement. Each of these documents requires you to provide different types of documents as well.

To become licensed, you need to have a criminal history background check. Please visit your local law enforcement office to have your fingerprints taken. You can also find blank FBI fingerprint cards in the pack for those who wish to become licensed by endorsement, should your sheriff’s office not have them. Alternatively, you can use the LiveScan facility offered by the Board.

If you want to have prescriptive authority, you must enter into a collaborative agreement with a physician. This form must be submitted to the Board.

If your application is pending, you can choose to request for a Temporary Permit to be granted to you. This allows you to work for 90 days, while you wait for your license to come through.

You will receive an email reminder and you can complete your renewal completely online.

In terms of continuous education (CE), you must maintain the standards set out by your national certification agency. Additionally, if you wish to maintain prescriptive authority, you will need to meet CE requirements of 6 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics.

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Phone:(225)755-7500
Fax:(225)755-7584
E-mail: lsbn@lsbn.state.la.us