Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 19, 2025
RN to BSN programs in Louisiana offer registered nurses the opportunity to advance their knowledge and extend their clinical practice capabilities in healthcare settings. The nursing programs accept RNs with an associate or diploma in nursing credentials to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Nurses holding BSN degrees play an essential role in Louisiana because they address healthcare challenges including chronic disease care and rural health service delivery.
Monroe, LA - Public 4-Year - ulm.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers an online RN to BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers. As a military-friendly institution, it provides flexible part-time and full-time options, requiring no entrance exam for admission. Students must hold an unencumbered RN license and a minimum 2.0 GPA, with the ability to transfer up to 39 credit hours. The 120-credit curriculum includes professional nursing practicums and coursework in management and public health, emphasizing leadership and healthcare delivery without a specific concentration focus.
Lake Charles, LA - Public 4-Year - mcneese.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
McNeese State University's RN-to-BSN program is a fully online option for registered nurses aiming to enhance their credentials without an ACT or SAT requirement. It focuses on building advanced clinical skills, healthcare ethics, and leadership development, leveraging a curriculum that allows credit for prior coursework. With a 98% first-time NCLEX passage rate and CCNE accreditation, it prepares graduates for roles in diverse healthcare settings, supported by its military-friendly status and approval from the Louisiana Board of Nursing.
Ruston, LA - Public 4-Year - latech.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Louisiana Tech University's RN to BSN program is a hybrid offering that provides registered nurses with a flexible path to earn their bachelor's degree, combining online coursework with in-person elements. Designed for working professionals, it emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, preparing graduates for leadership in healthcare with a focus on population health, interprofessional collaboration, and modern patient care technologies. At a competitive flat-rate tuition of $400 per credit hour and no additional fees, it supports career advancement without requiring entrance exams like ACT or SAT, aligning with AACN Essentials for a comprehensive education.
New Orleans, LA - Private 4-year - dillard.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Dillard University's RN to BSN program, Louisiana's oldest baccalaureate nursing program, offers a 120-credit hybrid format blending online and on-campus learning. It allows transfer of up to 57 credits and emphasizes service learning and community engagement, preparing nurses for diverse healthcare roles. As a bachelor's level program, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam. Accredited and HBCU-affiliated, it provides a flexible path for working professionals to advance their education.
Alexandria, LA - Public 4-Year - lsua.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Louisiana State University-Alexandria's RN to BSN program is delivered entirely online, allowing registered nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 12 to 18 months with a 120-credit curriculum. The program features seven-week semesters for flexibility and includes personalized advising to support career advancement and preparation for graduate studies. As a bachelor's level program, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, focusing on enhancing healthcare skills through a convenient, accelerated format.
The state of Louisiana provides extensive availability of online RN to BSN programs which let nursing professionals pursue their bachelor’s degree through flexible online education. Students enrolled in state universities can access completely online degree programs that allow flexible asynchronous learning at their convenience. The educational programs preserve strict academic quality while giving students from all geographical regions access to their programs. The educational institutions provide hybrid learning options which combine virtual education with rare face-to-face meetings while offering weekend and evening courses designed for working students. Students now have access to accelerated formats that let them finish their degree requirements in a condensed period.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College |
|
|
| Nicholls State University |
|
|
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
|
|
| Certifying Board | Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) |
|---|---|
| Certification | BSN from an LSBN‑approved program, official transcripts, fingerprint clearance, and NCLEX‑RN pass |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal Oct 1–Dec 31, license lapses at midnight Jan 31 if not renewed |
| Continuing Education | 30 board‑approved contact hours or 900 practice hours per two‑year cycle (initial cycle exempt) |
| License Application Fee | $139.25 state application, $200 NCLEX registration, ~ $75 fingerprint processing |
| Clinical Hours | All practicum hours as defined in BSN curriculum, verified by official transcripts |
| Application Processing Time | Approximately 4–6 weeks after receipt of a complete application |
| License by Endorsement | $100 endorsement fee (or $200 with 90‑day temporary permit), submit active‑license verification, transcripts, and fingerprints |
Nurses with BSNs in Louisiana are better paid and have great career opportunities as compared to those without a bachelor degree. According to the figures published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual average salary for RNs in Louisiana is around $70,000 and well experienced nurses who are in leadership and specialized roles make even more. Nurses who work in leadership or acute care settings are also the staff most often targeted with additional compensation from healthcare organizations such as hospitals and systems for earning a BSN. Larger cities are higher in pay because of the cost of living and demands for healthcare in these areas. The field of nursing has an outstanding job outlook due to continued growth in various healthcare sectors. The healthcare workforce shortages affecting rural and underserved areas of Louisiana will create numerous opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses to take crucial roles.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Louisiana | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual BSN Salary | $78,753 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $38.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$91,754 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $78,753 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$68,274 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | 6% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~2,270 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana |
|
|
| Southeastern Louisiana University |
|
|
| Louisiana Tech University |
|
|
The BSN degree from Louisiana creates various career advancement routes for nurses. The BSN education level enables nurses to apply for graduate studies that result in advanced practice positions including nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or nurse anesthetist. The BSN qualification enables nurses to move into leadership positions including nurse manager, unit coordinator and clinical educator without pursuing additional educational degrees. A BSN degree serves as an essential requirement for nursing positions which need supervisory duties, patient care coordination, or committee participation in hospitals. BSN-prepared nurses who seek additional credentials can earn specialty certifications in critical care nursing, emergency nursing, and nursing informatics. The BSN qualification enables nurses to enter careers in public health as well as quality improvement and healthcare policy fields. These nursing positions allow professionals to create significant impacts on patient care results. Through educational advancement Louisiana nurses gain additional career paths while making substantial contributions to the state’s developing healthcare system.
Additional Nursing Programs in Louisiana
LEARN MORE
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
