Accelerated Nursing Programs in Louisiana: The 7 Best For 2024

Already have a Bachelor’s degree and looking to transition to nursing in The Pelican State? Then you should consider these accelerated nursing programs in Louisiana!

According to the Board of Regents, the state projects a shortage of over 6,000 registered nurses by 2030. This represents 42% of the total demand for the profession in Louisiana, making it one of the most in-demand employment options in the coming years.

Better yet, by entering an ABSN program, you can move into your new career in as little as 15 months. 

However, there are lots of nursing schools offering BSN degrees, and not all of them provide second-degree tracks. With all the options, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed.

So, in this article we’ll cover the best accelerated nursing programs in Louisiana. By the end, you’ll have a good idea of each program’s quality and distinguishing features, including location, NCLEX pass rate, duration, tuition, and more.

7 Best Accelerated Nursing Programs in Louisiana

While the Louisiana State Board of Nursing has approved 18 different Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, we found only seven offering an accelerated, second-degree track.

Fortunately, we were able to compile all of the second-degree options below, including information concerning:

• Location
• Accreditation
• Format (on-campus, online, or hybrid)
• Duration of the program
• Average 2022 NCLEX pass rate (includes data for traditional and accelerated tracks)
• Admission requirements
• Tuition
• The percentage of qualified applicants admitted to each school’s BSN programs (this metric indicates the competitiveness of admission, but includes data for all Bachelor’s degree tracks)

To ensure our data accurately reflects each university’s program, we collected information from official sources.

For example, we obtained NCLEX pass rate and percent of qualified applicants data from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Meanwhile, we collected information about accreditation, tuition, and program length directly from each school’s website.

Overall, the list below will provide you with a great starting point for finding accelerated nursing programs in Louisiana that fit your needs.

1. Northwestern State University College of Nursing

• Location: Natchitoches, LA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Format: On-campus 
• Duration: 16 months 
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): 89.73% (166/185)
• Admission requirements:
  • A non-nursing Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Completed all of these courses prior to entry, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 or above
  • Maintained a grade of “C” or higher in all required biology, English, math, chemistry, and nursing courses
  • Read and understand these performance and technical standards
• Tuition: $2,590 per 12-credit hour semester
  • Note: The ABSN program pattern requires more than 12 credit hours per semester, which could increase the cost.
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 100% (241/241)

2. Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing

• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Format: Hybrid
• Duration: 17 months
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): Not listed
• Admission requirements:
  • Completed non-nursing Bachelor’s degree
  • Completion of required pre-nursing coursework
• Tuition: $49,440 per year
  • Note: the cost of online undergraduate programs is $468 per credit hour. Since this school’s ABSN program is hybrid, you might be able to take advantage of the online pricing. However, their website is not clear on this matter.
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 100% (21/21)

3. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University School of Nursing

• Location: Baton Rouge, LA
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Format: On-campus
• Duration: 16 months
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): 93.62% (88/94)
• Admission requirements:
  • Completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree
  • Be in good academic standing at the university
  • Complete a minimum of 12 hours of prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
  • Earned a grade point average of 3.0 or better in all prerequisite courses and all previous coursework applied to the ABSN program
  • Achieved a grade of C or better in Pathophysiology within three years of admission
  • Earned a grade of C or better in all courses applied to the ABSN program
• Tuition: $619.03 per credit hour
  • Note: This ABSN program requires between 10 and 15 credit hours per semester. This means the cost per semester can range from $6,190.30 to $9,285.45.
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 100% (138/138)

4. LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing

• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Format: On-campus
• Duration: Two years
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): 91.56% (217/237)
• Admission requirements:
  • Have a Bachelor’s degree before the application deadline
  • Completed 43 hours of prerequisite coursework
  • Earn a grade of B or better in required biology lecture, biology lab, microbiology, and physical science courses. Provisional admission may be awarded to those with no more than 12 outstanding prerequisite credit hours
  • Achieved a GPA of at least 3.0 for all prerequisite coursework
  • Earned a grade of C or better in all non-science prerequisite coursework
  • Must not earn a D or F in any prerequisite course, with one opportunity to retake the course. If the course is failed more than once, you can not be admitted
  • Write an essay on a provided topic
  • Submit one academic and one professional endorsement
  • Complete an online interview
  • Submit a letter of good academic standing if you’ve attended a nursing program previously
• Tuition: Ranges from $2,805.75 to $2,883.25 per semester, and total program tuition is estimated at $8,494.75
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 96.95% (254/262)

5. Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing

• Location: Hammond, LA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Format: On-campus (approximately half of coursework completed at Hammond campus and the other half completed at the Baton Rouge Center)
• Duration: 18 months
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): 93.94% (155/165)
• Admission requirements:
  • Earned a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree
  • Completed all non-nursing prerequisite courses
  • Achieved a grade of C or better in all prerequisite coursework
  • Earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 for all prerequisite coursework
• Tuition: $2,888.60 per semester
  • Note: Cost of tuition can vary based on the number of credit hours you take per semester
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 67.64% (186/275)

6. University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Nursing & Health Sciences

• Location: Lafayette, LA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Format: On-campus
• Duration: 15 months
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): 98.60% (141/143)
• Admission requirements:
  • Already hold a Bachelor’s degree
  • Overall GPA of at least 3.0
  • Complete in-person interview
  • Finished 50 hours of general education prerequisite coursework prior to starting nursing coursework
• Tuition: Tuition is free, but you are contractually obligated to commit to working at Ochsner Lafayette General for three years after graduating
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 95.83% (207/216)

7. Louisiana Christian University School of Nursing

• Location: Pineville, LA
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Format: On-campus
• Duration: 16 months
• NCLEX Average Pass Rate (2022): 61.71% (11/17)
• Admission requirements:
  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree
  • Completed 31 hours of non-nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
  • Achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher
  • Earned a TEAS score at or above the national BSN mean
  • Provide a statement of goals
  • Submit three references
• Tuition: $9,795 per semester
• Percent of Qualified Applicants Admitted (2022): 58.33% (14/24)

What To Consider When Choosing Accelerated Nursing Programs In Louisiana

When picking an accelerated nursing program in Louisiana, there are several key factors you should consider.

While we provided information for most of these aspects in the list above, some of them may require a little additional research on your end.

Accreditation 

One of the first things to consider is if the program has received accreditation from the CCNE or ACEN. This is key because accreditation status can impact your eligibility for licensure exams and job applications. 

Furthermore, accreditation indicates that the education you receive meets recognized standards, ensuring you have the knowledge and skills to thrive as a nurse. 

Fortunately, all of the schools listed in this article are accredited by either the CCNE or ACEN.

Admission Requirements

You should also be sure to check the program’s admission requirements before you consider applying. After all, you don’t want to waste your time on a lengthy application process just to find out you don’t fulfill all the prerequisites.

Of course, the main requirement for accelerated nursing programs is already holding a Bachelor’s degree.

However, there are other factors to consider as well. For example, many of the programs above require you to maintain a 3.0 GPA, while others may only require a 2.6 GPA. Similarly, some programs might require you to earn a C grade or higher in your prerequisite courses, while more competitive programs may require a B or higher.

So, be sure to check the admission requirements carefully. If anything is unclear, it might be a good idea to reach out directly to the school’s admissions office.

Cost

Although education is invaluable, nursing programs can be expensive and cause financial strain. 

So, it’s crucial to check the tuition and additional fees and compare them between schools to avoid economic hardship. While nursing salaries generally pay pretty well, be sure to weigh your potential salary against the burden of debt.

Additionally, keep an eye out for financial aid options like scholarships and grants to reduce expenses. You could even take advantage of unique programs like at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They cover the cost of tuition if you commit to working at Ochsner Lafayette General for three years after graduating.

Finally, remember that the cost of in-state and public school tuition is generally lower compared to out-of-state and private school tuition.

Program Format

Some of the schools listed in this article are available in multiple formats.

For example, while most universities conduct their ABSN programs on-campus, face-to-face format, there are a few hybrid options.

Additionally, you may be able to enroll in a program either full-time or part-time. Just bear in mind that attending part-time will likely take you longer to earn your degree.

Faculty

While we haven’t included any information about each school’s faculty in this article, you may want to consider their experience, personalities, and credentials.

Additionally, you might consider reaching out directly to university faculty members to learn more about the program and start building relationships with them.

Overall, the better relationship you can create with your nursing educators, the better it will be for your learning. They may also be able to provide additional mentorship, and maybe even impact your future career opportunities.

Program Length

Another thing to consider when choosing accelerated nursing programs in Louisiana is the length of time to earn your degree.

Most of the schools in this article let you obtain your degree in as little as 15 or 16 months. However, at least one of the program’s above takes a minimum of two years to complete.

If you’re looking to transition into your career as a nurse as quickly as possible, you may want to opt for one of the shorter programs. However, if you want to take a little extra time and ensure you’re extremely well-prepared, a longer program may be better suited to your goals.

Curriculum and Clinical Hours

To ensure you’ll get the most out of your nursing degree, it’s smart to look into the program’s curriculum.

Most schools’ websites provide an overview of the courses you’ll take during your study, so be sure to check them out. While most programs offer similar courses, there may be slight variations in the curriculum. 

Additionally, consider the clinical placement opportunities each program offers. Clinical experience is a key component of any ABSN program, so pay special attention to practicum placements and requirements.

Number of Qualified Applicants Admitted

In our list of accelerated nursing programs in Louisiana, we provided data regarding the number of qualified applicants admitted to each school. This is an important metric to consider for two reasons.

First, it indicates the competitiveness of getting into each program. If you’re a straight-A student, you’ll have an easier time getting into schools with lower percentages of admitted students. However, you may want to consider less competitive universities if you only meet the bare minimum requirements.

Additionally, this metric can give you a good idea of each program’s class sizes. If you want to develop close relationships with your educators and receive more personalized attention, consider prioritizing schools with a lower number of admitted students.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

One more key factor to think about when creating your shortlist of second-degree BSN programs in Louisiana is NCLEX pass rate.

The pass rate is a good indicator of how well each program prepares its students to practice as nurses. If graduates from a school tend to perform well on the exam, it suggests they provide a high-quality education.

On the other hand, if a school has a lower NCLEX pass rate, it may indicate they don’t prepare their graduates quite as well. However, it’s worth noting that just because one school has a lower pass rate than another, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be getting a good education.

The Bottom Line

Narrowing down the best accelerated nursing programs in Louisiana may seem daunting at first, but the list in this article gives you a good place to start.

Regardless of the school you choose, any of the ones listed above could make the right choice depending on your priorities and goals.

However, if you didn’t quite find a school here that piques your interest, you’re not limited to ABSN programs in Louisiana. To check out other options, take a look at our list of the best accelerated nursing programs in the United States.