Louisiana Nursing Colleges & Licenses
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“From starting out in a lab, working with cell models, and studying the causes of hypertension to representing a national organization, my career journey has truly exceeded my wildest dreams.”
Jennifer Manning, DNS, President of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)
Nursing has long been a respected profession in the United States. In recent years nursing has become an increasingly challenging profession. The field of nursing and the healthcare system as a whole are now beset by a number of challenges. Some of these challenges include technological change, the demographic shift towards an older population that necessitates rethinking appropriate care models and longer term priorities, the multiple impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and workforce retention.
Louisiana is, like many states, currently confronting the prospect of an ongoing nursing workforce shortage. As approximately one-third of the RN workforce in Louisiana is 50 years of age or older, it is reasonable to expect there will be a large number of nurses seeking to retire in the next decade or so. The loss of the most senior nursing personnel can have significant ripple effects. Loss of experienced nursing staff does not just risk the quality and timeliness of patient care. High attrition rates of senior personnel also imperil the successful transfer of knowledge and skills critical to the success of new incoming nursing professionals just starting their careers. The healthcare system thus does itself a big disservice if it underestimates the impacts of an accelerated nursing brain drain.
The severe stress of the Covid-19 pandemic era only enhanced attrition rates. Some nurses who felt overwhelmed by their workloads, the volatile behavior of patients, difficulties with management, and other concerns opted to take protracted leave, selected other nursing jobs that were more lucrative, or retired early. These issues combined with a worrisome workforce attrition among young nursing professionals suggests that workforce attrition will remain a major challenge for years to come.
Louisiana is seeking to overcome its numerous challenges. For example, a major state-level goal is to double the number of adults with credentials of value by the year 2030. Whether that goal, in combination with other efforts, will ultimately be enough to address the magnitude of the state’s challenges remains to be seen. A 2021 Louisiana Health Works Commission report noted increasing demand but shrinking availability of several types of nurse, including advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses. Labor supply estimates for the year 2030 suggest a nursing workforce shortage will continue if substantial interventions are not made.
One particular data point suggested that only about four in ten of available registered nurse positions would be filled in coming years unless more significant efforts are made to address the issue of attrition. Given that much of the publicly accessible data on this issue was generated before or at the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the pandemic almost universally exacerbated workforce attrition matters, there is a good chance the attrition data underestimates the severity of the challenge now facing many states including Louisiana.
As previously mentioned, a nationwide demographic shift is also unfolding. An older population will require more expertise and infrastructure to care for geriatric patients. Louisiana will need to account for these demographic changes in establishing and sustaining policies related not just to its nursing workforce but also for the many other types of healthcare professionals with whom nurses regularly collaborate to provide patient care.
Read on to discover Louisiana’s top undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state.
Meet the Expert: Jennifer Manning, DNS, ACNS-BC, CNE
Dr. Jennifer Manning is a distinguished alumna of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing (LSUHSC SON), where she earned her BSN, MSN, and DNS. She began her nursing career as a critical care nurse at East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) and transitioned to academia in 2008 as a critical care faculty member. In 2013, she became the director of the RN-to-BSN program and advanced to associate dean for undergraduate nursing programs by 2015.
Dr. Manning achieved board certification as a clinical nurse specialist in 2008 and earned her CNE certification in 2014. Her leadership roles include serving as president of the Epsilon Nu chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society (2013-2015) and being appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (2018-2022). She joined the National Association for Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) board in 2021, becoming president-elect in 2023, and was elected to the Louisiana State Nurses Association Board of Trustees in the same year.
As a clinical nurse researcher at LCMC Health East Jefferson General Hospital, Dr. Manning has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles, a book, multiple book chapters, and NACNS position papers. Her research focuses on enhancing simulation in nursing education, promoting workforce diversity, and developing nursing leadership skills, particularly improving nurse work environments and best practices in nursing education.
NursingColleges.com: How has graduating from a nursing program enhanced your career?
Dr. Manning: Graduating from a nursing program has profoundly enhanced my career. My journey began with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of New Orleans in 1994. Initially uncertain about my career path, I worked in a research lab, which proved to be very helpful. I then pursued another bachelor’s degree at LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing in New Orleans. This degree was pivotal, leading me to my current position as Associate Dean at the same institution.
Furthering my education, I earned both a master’s and a doctorate in nursing. Today, I am a well-known figure in the state, serving as president of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). My work with the NACNS has extended my influence globally, connecting with nurses worldwide. From starting out in a lab, working with cell models, and studying the causes of hypertension to representing a national organization, my career journey has truly exceeded my wildest dreams.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective nursing student?
Dr. Manning: One piece of advice? It’s hard to choose just one, but I always tell my children, who are now in their 20s, never give up. I wasn’t always the top student; I got As, Bs, and occasionally Cs, but I worked hard for every grade. This taught me the value of perseverance. If you face setbacks or failures, see them as learning experiences. Ask yourself, What can I learn from this, and how will it help me in my next step?
Many people assume I’ve always been successful, but that’s not true. I’ve tried many things—some worked out, many didn’t. The key is that I never gave up and always put in my best effort.
Another crucial piece of advice is to find your passion. I am where I am today because I genuinely love improving healthcare. Starting as a critical care nurse, I found the rapid patient improvements incredibly rewarding. Now, as an educator, I get similar rewards from teaching students and watching them graduate. Find your passion. For me, it’s healthcare. I read the latest literature on nursing and healthcare not because I have to but because I want to. This passion drives me long-term.
Never give up and find what you love—those two pieces of advice will take you far.
Meet the Expert: Leanne H. Fowler, DNP, MBA, AGACNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FAAN
Dr. Leanne Fowler is an associate professor of clinical nursing and the program director of NP programs at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans School of Nursing, overseeing the faculty and students of seven NP population-focused DNP concentrations. She is a health policy leader and known advocate for nursing practice evidenced by the Governor-appointed membership to the LA Health Equity task force and appointment as vice chair of legislative task forces. She has led and informed successful Louisiana legislation resulting in safer work environments, improved care for vulnerable Louisianians, and more equitable healthcare to older adult populations that served as a model for national legislation.
Dr. Fowler serves as president-elect of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), leads national educational initiatives focused on DNP education outcomes, and is the principal investigator for over $3.6 million of grant-funded educational projects resulting in increasing diversity of the nursing workforce with the capacity to improve health equity in medically underserved areas.
Dr. Fowler is a collaborative leader who impacts thousands of nurses through strategic and relevant policy and education initiatives that diversify the nursing workforce and advance health equity for medically underserved and underrepresented nursing students and communities. Dr. Fowler holds a DNP from the University of South Alabama and BSN from Southern University and A&M College.
NursingColleges.com: What is something most people don’t know about the nursing profession?
Dr. Fowler: Many people don’t realize the breadth of our practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) above the role and scope of practice of registered nurses. APRNs are licensed in four roles: nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist. The largest APRN workforce is in the nurse practitioner role.
The most common question of nurse practitioners is how do we differ from medical doctors? The greatest difference is that our education aligns with nursing science and philosophies focused on caring for the whole patient who may or may not be living with an acute or chronic disease. Nurse practitioner education focuses on caring for the person (and often their family support system), in addition to diagnosing and managing acute or chronic disease.
Nurse anesthetists are the next largest APRN workforce who maintain a patient’s airway, deliver anesthesia, and administer multimodal pain management regimens to support a patient’s surgical procedure, recovery, and quality of life.
Nurse midwives are a continually growing profession in the U.S. who approach reproductive health across genders and obstetric care for women in hospitals, birthing centers, or their homes.
Last but not least, the clinical nurse specialist is an APRN specializing in caring for aggregate populations by improving the quality and safety of care for individuals and groups in a defined population.
Registered nurses seeking APRN education should thoroughly investigate the role and career path they are most interested in to understand daily expectations of them as advanced nurses and to avoid later dissatisfaction. The community at large should understand that APRNs have completed additional formal education focused on the depth and breadth of their chosen role to deliver quality and safe, person-centered care.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective nursing student?
Dr. Fowler: The best advice I offer prospective nursing students seeking APRN education is to maintain a spirit of curiosity and prepare to sharpen their diagnostic skills to investigate patient problems and lead them to optimal health. This requires the desire and drive to read the latest and best available literature, providing evidence-based care routinely.
A spirit of curiosity will inevitably lead that student to listen to the patient and work with the patient to initiate evidence-based and person-centered solutions. The nursing profession is historically known for its patient-focused approach, and this approach continues in a more advanced way through the practice of an APRN.
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Louisiana
Southern University and A&M College
The Southern University and A&M College School of Nursing has provided baccalaureate level nursing education since the late 1980s. The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program is nationally recognized for the success of its student body. Throughout the program’s history it has generated over 2,000 BSN graduates.
Many BSN students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education, the BSN program is among the largest generators of African American bachelor’s degree prepared nurses in the United States.
The BSN program is a four-year, 120-credit program featuring a curriculum composed of the coursework typically taught in associate degree and diploma programs as well as more intensive coursework in the physical and social sciences, nursing research, public and community health, and nurse management. This more thorough preparation both deepens and broadens students’ skills and thereby prepares them for a bigger scope of practice.
The school of nursing also offers a fully online RN to BSN program. The online delivery format is designed to accommodate the needs of practicing nurses who may already have demanding professional lives. Graduates of nationally accredited associate degree nursing programs may be able to complete this program. In addition, Southern University has affiliation agreements with a number of local community colleges that act as a pipeline for local students seeking to advance their nursing education.
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Southeastern Louisiana University
The Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing offers a number of bachelor’s degree level nursing programs. These are the accelerated nursing program, the Northshore accelerated nursing program, and a traditional BS in nursing program.
The accelerated nursing program is for those who hold a bachelor’s degree outside the field of nursing. Students complete coursework within a cohort of students and can expect to graduate in just 18 months. Coursework is offered at both the Hammond campus and at the Baton Rouge Center. The Northshore accelerated program is similar to the regular accelerated program but is designed for Northshore residents.
The BSN program is a four-year, on-campus, 120-credit program similar to traditional programs offered elsewhere. Students learn evidence-based practices, professional standards of care and other skills necessary to meet the needs of a diverse patient population. Students can enter this program as RNs or LPNs. Students who pursue the RN to BSN program can also choose a 31-credit, fully online option.
- Location: Hammond, LA
- Duration: One-and-a-half to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
McNeese State University is ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States and has been recognized in the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges list for eight consecutive years. Students completing the BSN program have a first-time passage rate of 98 percent on the NCLEX-RN exam, a rate high above both the state and national average.
McNeese State University offers a rigorous bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) program designed to prepare skilled, compassionate nursing professionals. The curriculum emphasizes training in human anatomy, mental health, pharmacology, leadership, medical ethics and additional subjects. A clinical requirement in which students gain hands-on experience with patient care further enhances student skills and confidence. Starting in the fourth semester, students take nursing courses in a variety of hospital settings. They will complete rotations in mental health, medical-surgical, obstetrics and community health. These rotations help students to choose an area to develop expertise in. Students gain still more valuable experience through a required six-week preceptorship at a local hospital.
The university’s online RN to BSN program is designed for working nurses seeking to enhance their professional development and career potential. This 30 credit program, ranked by rntomsn.org as the second best online RN to BSN program in Louisiana, can be completed in just ten months and offers six start dates per year. Students may secure a reduced tuition rate depending on their work affiliation.
- Location: Lake Charles, LA
- Duration: Four years for BSN program; approximately one year for RN-BSN
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Kitty DeGree School of Nursing offers transformative nursing education anchored in instruction, research and service. The School was founded in 1960 and graduated its first class of baccalaureate nurses in 1964. Its nursing programs feature both general education in subjects such as history, English, science and the arts as well as a professional nursing curriculum designed to teach both the art and science of nursing. Its curriculum aligns with the school’s core values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice. Programs also seek to meet the evolving nature of the nursing profession as well as promote the profession through scholarship.
ULM offers three distinct 120-credit bachelor’s degree programs in nursing. The traditional pre-licensure program features three semesters of instruction in general education courses and the physical and biological sciences. Students then complete five semesters of increasingly complex nursing courses. The online RN-BSN program is for RNs who have graduated from CNEA- or ACEN-accredited and state-approved diploma and associate degree programs and who have an unencumbered license to practice.
Such applicants can, by virtue of this background, receive 39 credits upon entry into the program, and must therefore complete 81 credits of prerequisite, core and professional courses to graduate.
Finally, the LPN-to-BSN program is designed specifically for licensed practical nurses. Applicants must have graduated from a state approved licensed practical nurse program and be currently licensed in Louisiana. This program offers part- and full-time study options. The study plan sequence is similar to that of the traditional program. It features three semesters of study in pre-nursing prerequisite courses (math, biology, English, chemistry, etc), a (fourth) bridge semester featuring only nursing courses, and then two years (four semesters) of professional nursing courses.
- Location: Monroe, LA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Louisiana State University Health – New Orleans
The Louisiana State University (LSU) System began offering formal nursing education programs in the summer of 1929 in Baton Rouge, LA. The LSU System has since grown to offer a large number of academic undergraduate and graduate nursing programs throughout the state of Louisiana. The LSU nursing program in New Orleans developed out of the efforts of the Daughters of Charity at the now closed Charity Hospital of New Orleans. The mission of the LSU School of Nursing is to provide leadership and excellence in nursing education, practice, research and public service. It seeks to prepare professional nurses who will work as generalists, leaders, advanced practice nurses, educators, scholars and more.
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center offers two baccalaureate level nursing programs. These are a traditional BSN program as well as an RN-to-BSN program. The traditional program is a three-year program; students lacking prerequisite coursework can typically complete this program in four years. Class size is limited and admission to this program is highly competitive. The traditional BSN degree program is designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
The RN-to-BSN option is a one-year program of study whose curriculum is designed specifically for RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. The program provides a liberal and professional education that builds upon the skills and knowledge practicing nurses already have. Applicants must have an unencumbered license to practice nursing in the state of Louisiana and have earned an associate degree or diploma in nursing from any accredited college or university.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Duration: One year (RN-BSN) or three to four years (BSN)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Louisiana
Loyola University, New Orleans
The Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing has been training nurses for over three decades. The School of Nursing seeks to educate nurses within an atmosphere of Jesuit values for the purpose of creating skilled professionals who will drive critical change as they practice within an ever evolving healthcare system. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the entire nation, the School of Nursing offers four graduate nursing programs that terminate with the award of a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. These programs are the accelerated RN-to-MSN-FNP program, a BSN-to-RSN program, a family nurse practitioner (FNP) program, and the nurse-midwifery program. All programs, with the exception of the midwifery program, are online programs.
The accelerated RN-to-MSN-FNP program is a 54-credit hour program open to students who have a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing, are RNs, and also hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Graduates are awarded an MSN without actually earning a BSN but will receive the recognition of a BSN equivalency from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
The BSN-to-RSN program serves those students who already have a BSN and now seek to earn an MSN. The MSN-FNP program is a 48-credit program designed to train graduates to provide evidence-based, holistic care to a variety of individuals and groups of people across the health continuum. Coursework is offered online, while the 720-hour supervised practicum must be completed on-site in a state where the student is licensed to practice. Graduates may take the national certification examination of the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Finally, the nurse midwifery program is a hybrid program that teaches students to apply evidence-based practices in providing patient-centered care in an equitable and culturally sensitive manner. Graduates are skilled in providing both advanced level primary and reproductive healthcare to women and other individuals across the lifespan. This program is designed for completion in five semesters. With the exception of the supervised practicum requirement, courses are offered in an online, synchronous manner. Graduates are eligible to take the American Midwifery Certification Board national certification exam. The MSN nurse-midwifery concentration is pre-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
As noted in the undergraduate degree program section above, McNeese State University is ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States. In addition to its undergraduate nursing programs, McNeese also offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program designed to provide students the knowledge and clinical experience necessary to successfully pass post-graduation certification exams and thereafter become highly skilled professionals who offer evidence-based care to a variety of patient populations. McNeese is a member of the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), a consortium of four universities based in Louisiana who collaborate together to provide a comprehensive, current and quality nursing curriculum.
McNeese offers three MSN program concentrations. These are concentrations in family nurse practitioner (FNP), nursing education (NE), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Though there are small differences in the number of credit hours required for graduation, all three concentrations feature a fully online curriculum and require completion of either a focused scholarly project or thesis project. Additional details about the curriculum for each program and the types of positions graduates of each program can accept can be found on the university’s nursing program website.
- Location: Lake Charles, LA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) School of Nursing offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program designed for full- or part-time study. Students may select one of two nursing concentrations, namely clinical nurse leader and nurse educator. Regardless of concentration students complete a uniform set of core courses designed to provide the theoretical foundation for nursing practice. Students develop hands-on nursing skills while simultaneously completing their coursework. The master’s degree curriculum is also designed to seamlessly build upon LSUHSC’s bachelor’s degree in nursing program.
The clinical nurse leader (CNL) MSN program is designed for full-time students to complete in five semesters. Graduates are trained to work as generalists and may hold a variety of responsibilities including evidence-based practice, care coordination and quality improvement at the healthcare system level. The nurse educator (NE) concentration can be completed in one year. Coursework focuses on education theory, curriculum development, critical thinking, and leadership. This concentration is offered at two locations, the LSUHSC main campus in New Orleans and an LSUHSC instructional site in Shreveport.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Duration: One year (NE) or five semesters over 21 months (CNL)
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nicholls State University is recognized by Money Magazine as one of the top fifty nursing graduate programs in America and is the only Louisiana nursing program to achieve a spot on this ranking. Nicholls State is also one of the four members of the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN), a Louisiana based consortium whose members collaborate together to provide a comprehensive, current and quality nursing curriculum.
Nicholls State offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree program in one of three concentrations. These concentrations are family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and nursing education (NE).
The FNP concentration is a 42-45 credit hour program designed to be completed in five semesters. The PMHNP program is a six semester, 48-51 credit hour program. Both programs have a 600 clinical hour training requirement. The NE program requires 40 credit hours (43 when a thesis option is added) and 300 clinical hours and can typically be completed in four semesters.
- Location: Thibodaux, LA
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nursing School Accreditation
Accreditation is a process designed to provide appropriate recognition, security and information critical both to the operations of academic institutions and the larger regulatory bureaucracy in which they function as well the decision making of students who enroll in these institutions’ educational programs. Accreditation is an attestation to the capacity of both academic programs and institutions of higher education to successfully deliver the services they market themselves as qualified to provide.
Accreditation of academic institutions also therefore attests to the competence of the professionals these institutions ultimately award degrees to. Accreditation also provides prospective students peace of mind. By knowing an academic degree program is accredited, applicants can be confident their decision to pursue a degree will be a worthwhile investment of their time and money. Academic nursing programs are typically accredited by one of two accrediting organizations. These are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
In Louisiana, nursing professionals both seek and renew their licenses through the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Licensure requirements typically vary according to state as well as what type of nurse a person is. It is therefore important for prospective nursing professionals to clearly understand these requirements before embarking on a course of study.
Louisiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC allows a registered nurse licensed in a compact state to practice across state lines in other compact states without having to obtain a license in these other states. While holding a multi-state license in a licensure compact state has distinct advantages it is important to remember that the NLC requires nurses to abide by the nursing practice laws and rules of the state in which they practice. If a nurse moves from one state to another and establishes residency there, the nurse must apply for licensure in that state. Nurses must be licensed in the states where those they provide nursing services to are located at the time said services are provided. A multistate license allows the nurse to practice in the home state and all compact states with one license issued by the home state.
Continuing education is generally required to maintain and renew a nursing license. If a nurse decides to move out of state or pursue work in a different specialization, the nurse may need to fulfill additional education or other requirements to practice elsewhere.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Louisiana?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of September 2024. Certified midwife salary data is available on Salary.com.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 17,900 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $51,700 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $39,200 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $50,000 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $61,840 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 36,840 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $80,760 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $60,720 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $76,650 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $101,650 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 640 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $218,770 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $178,260 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $211,800 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | > $239,200 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | No data available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | No data available |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $98,995 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $116,977 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $146,773 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Louisiana | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 3,910 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $118,670 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $86,380 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $118,830 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $153,360 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (RN) Licensure in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| To be licensed as an LPN in Louisiana, candidates must:
|
LPN licenses in Louisiana must be renewed every year. Candidates must submit a completed application and pay the $61.08 fee. |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State Board of Nursing | Louisianan RN license requirements are:
| RNs in Louisiana are required to renew every two years. They must also verify that they have a minimum of 900 practical hours or 30 continuing education hours and pay the $100 renewal fee. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be licensed as a CNS in the state of Louisiana, applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Renewals occur every two years and CNS who are nationally board certified meet the provisions for renewal of their Louisiana RN license by holding an approved certification. CNSs with prescriptive authority must complete six contact hours of continued education in pharmacotherapeutics in their focused role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be licensed as a CNM in the state of Louisiana, applicants must meet thefollowing criteria:
|
Renewals occur every two years for CNMs in Louisiana. APRNs who are nationally board-certified meet the provisions for renewal of their Louisiana RN license by holding an approved certification. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete six contact hours of continued education in pharmacotherapeutics in their focused role of a CNM. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who want to be licensed in Louisiana, applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Renewals occur every two years for APRNS in Louisiana. APRNs who are nationally board-certified meet the provisions for renewal of their Louisiana RN and APRN licenses. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 6 contact hours of continued education in pharmacotherapeutics. |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) Licensure in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be licensed as a CRNA in the state of Louisiana, applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Renewals for CRNAs in Louisiana occur every two years. To renew, candidates must meet the provisions for renewal of their Louisiana RN license and holding an approved national certification. APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete six contact hours of continued education in pharmacotherapeutics in their focused role as a CRNA. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.