Grambling State University School of Nursing: What to Know About Programs & NCLEX (2026)
Public, HBCU-based nursing programs in North Louisiana: pre-licensure BSN (CCNE-accredited baccalaureate program), RN-to-BSN, and graduate MSN options including Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator tracks. This guide cites the Louisiana State Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN table for 2024 and Grambling’s published Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition differential schedule for nursing majors.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Grambling’s School of Nursing operates from the Betty E. Smith Nursing Building and publishes strong first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes in Louisiana State Board of Nursing reports for its rebuilt BSN program. The university emphasizes CCNE-accredited pre-licensure BSN, an MSN portfolio that includes Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator options, and a mission rooted in serving diverse learners—including international students highlighted in recent graduate cohort news.
Overview & Why Students Choose Grambling State University School of Nursing
In North Louisiana, Grambling State University’s School of Nursing sits on a residential public HBCU campus in Grambling—near Ruston and within driving distance of larger regional medical centers in Monroe and Shreveport. The program’s modern story is one of rebuilding: after closure of the prior program, leadership reopened nursing education in 2015; the current CCNE-accredited BSN graduated its first accredited cohort in 2021, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing reports strong first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for recent baccalaureate testers.
Students who value mission-driven education, smaller cohort-style attention, and a graduate portfolio that includes Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator MSN options will find distinct pathways here. The school publicly lists ATI TEAS testing in the Betty E. Smith Nursing Building and publishes student achievement metrics—including NCLEX and job placement figures—on its nursing homepage.
According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) annual report, Appendix B1 (first-time candidates, January 1–December 31, 2024), Grambling State University had 13 first-time NCLEX-RN candidates and 13 passing, a 100.00% first-time pass rate for its baccalaureate program. The same appendix reports a 94.60% first-time pass rate for all Louisiana baccalaureate programs combined—use only as a same-report benchmark. Confirm the latest year in the newest LSBN annual report and with the School of Nursing.
Reasons students choose Grambling
HBCU mission & community
Grambling emphasizes access and preparation for a diverse nursing workforce; recent university news highlighted international and out-of-state graduates in small BSN cohorts—confirm current class size with the program.
Documented NCLEX outcomes (LSBN)
LSBN’s 2024 appendix shows a 100% first-time pass rate for Grambling’s baccalaureate program with 13 testers—always confirm newer cohorts with the Board because rates vary by year.
Clear pre-BSN gateway
Official BSN application packets specify pre-nursing coursework, minimum GPA, ACT/SAT thresholds, and on-campus ATI TEAS rules—useful for applicants who want transparent numeric expectations.
Graduate nursing breadth
The curriculum index lists MSN FNP, Nurse Educator tracks, Pediatric NP, and post-master’s FNP certificate options—appealing to RNs advancing practice or education roles.
Published tuition differential
Nursing is on Grambling’s undergraduate differential fee schedule with line-item semester totals for 2025–2026—see the cost section for resident vs. non-resident commuting totals.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below follows Grambling’s nursing curriculum index, School of Nursing homepage, and graduate pages. Programs are grouped into pre-licensure, post-licensure (RN), graduate (MSN), and certificates.
Pre-licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Pre-licensure BSN leading to RN licensure (NCLEX-RN). Grambling states the baccalaureate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and holds full approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Admission is competitive and requires university admission plus School of Nursing application, TEAS, and prerequisites per the official application packet.
Pre-nursing course sequence
Applicants typically enter as pre-nursing majors while completing science and general education prerequisites listed in the BSN application materials—confirm the exact course list for your catalog year.
Post-licensure (RN)
RN-to-BSN
Grambling’s curriculum index includes an RN-to-BSN program link. Verify delivery format, prerequisite RN licensure requirements, and term structure on the official page.
Graduate (MSN)
Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP)
Grambling describes a five-semester, 49-credit-hour FNP track with weekly on-campus didactics in the FNP program overview and clinical hours arranged in the student’s region. Post-master’s FNP and post-certification FNP curricula are listed separately.
Nurse Educator (clinical focus)
Curriculum links include Nurse Educator programs with Adult Geriatric and Maternal Child clinical focuses—confirm course titles and accreditation details with the graduate office.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The curriculum index lists a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MSN track—confirm active status, entry requirements, and certification exam alignment on the program page.
Post-master’s & post-certification
Post-Master’s FNP & FNP bridge options
Grambling lists post-master’s FNP certificates and post-certification pathways (for example PNP-to-FNP and other NP-to-FNP fast tracks) on the curriculum index—verify eligibility with the graduate nursing office.
CCNE lists a site visit scheduled for March 2026 for the baccalaureate program—third-party comments may be submitted per the School of Nursing notice. Always confirm program availability, accreditation status, and approval with Grambling, CCNE, ACEN, and LSBN before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report, Appendix B1 — Performance of First Time Candidates of Nursing Education Programs in Louisiana on NCLEX-RN, regardless of where taking examination, January 1 – December 31, 2024, Grambling State University (baccalaureate row) had 13 first-time candidates, 13 passing, and a 100.00% first-time pass rate. The same appendix reports 1,427 baccalaureate first-time candidates statewide with 1,350 passing, a 94.60% aggregate baccalaureate rate—use only as a same-report benchmark.
Grambling’s School of Nursing also publishes student achievement data on its homepage, including a reported 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the 2025 calendar year and a reported 90% BSN job placement rate for 2025—confirm definitions, cohort sizes, and methodology with the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (Grambling BSN) | 100.00% (13 of 13 first-time testers, LSBN Appendix B1, Jan.–Dec. 2024) |
| Louisiana baccalaureate aggregate (same appendix) | 94.60% first-time pass rate (all schools combined, same reporting period) |
| Source | LSBN Annual Report 2024 (PDF); Grambling School of Nursing. Confirm current data with LSBN and the school. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and class size. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and Grambling State University School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Grambling’s main admissions pages describe international-student services through the Center for International Affairs and note scholarship considerations for early applicants. University news has highlighted international graduates in recent BSN cohorts—policies for English proficiency, transcripts, and visas remain program-specific. Requirements for internationally educated nurses also depend on Louisiana State Board of Nursing licensure rules. This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS or other requirements with Grambling admissions and the School of Nursing.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow instructions from the Office of Admissions and International Affairs for official documents.
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, review LSBN student and endorsement requirements.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical nursing programs require in-person labs and clinical placements; confirm F-1 or other visa compatibility with required hours.
Verify policies with Grambling’s international office, the School of Nursing, and LSBN.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Admission to the BSN professional program is separate from general university admission. The official BSN Application Packet (Spring 2026 cycle) reviewed for this guide lists requirements for the Fall 2026 nursing cohort example, including ATI TEAS on campus, minimum GPA in pre-nursing courses, ACT/SAT thresholds, and science course grades. Meeting published minimums does not guarantee admission.
Application timeline (example from Spring 2026 packet)
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN application deadline | April 13, 2026 (packet reviewed for this page) | Incomplete applications are not accepted; submissions are electronic per packet instructions. |
| Admission notification | By May 18, 2026 (per same packet) | Applicants must follow emailed instructions to confirm a seat. |
| Last ACT date (example) | April 11, 2026 | Packet ties ACT/SAT deadlines to fall admission—confirm for your cycle. |
Admissions snapshot (BSN — Spring 2026 packet)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (pre-nursing) | 2.8 overall in pre-nursing courses with grades of C or higher in required sciences (per packet) |
| ACT / SAT | Minimum ACT 21 composite or SAT 1060–1090 (per packet); official scores to Admissions and GSUSON |
| ATI TEAS | Required on Grambling’s campus; 64% or higher on first or second attempt; $85 per attempt (per packet) |
| Interview | Face-to-face interview for applicants deemed eligible (per packet) |
Honest tip: Download the newest BSN packet each cycle—deadlines, TEAS dates on SignUpGenius, and transcript rules (PDF uploads) change. Build your timeline backward from the TEAS testing dates listed in the packet.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from Grambling’s Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 tuition and fees pages. Nursing majors are on the undergraduate differential fee schedule (listed alongside engineering, biology, and other majors). Amounts are semester totals that bundle tuition and mandatory fees for the stated credit-hour bands; nursing clinical courses also carry additional per-course fees.
| Category | Published amount (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing (differential) — Louisiana resident, commuting, 12+ hours | $3,976.02 per semester (tuition & fees combined per schedule) |
| Undergraduate nursing (differential) — Non-resident, commuting, 12+ hours | $8,487.52 per semester |
| On-campus housing (traditional dorm, 12+ hours, nursing differential) | $7,777.02 (LA resident) / $12,288.52 (non-resident) per semester—per same schedule |
| Nursing clinical course fee | $300–$465 per nursing clinical course (listed under “Additional Common Fees”) |
| Undergraduate book bundle | $24 per credit hour (Resources and Materials Book Bundle—undergraduate) |
| Graduate (MSN example) — commuting, 12 hours | $3,983.30 (LA resident) / $8,494.80 (non-resident) per semester on the graduate standard schedule—confirm nursing graduate differential if applicable |
| Source | Grambling tuition & fee schedules; Student Accounts |
Room, board, transportation, and personal expenses vary by whether you commute or live on campus. Use Grambling’s financial aid office and the 2025–26 student fees brochure for a full cost picture.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair Louisiana State Board licensure data with school-reported employment statistics only when the source and year are clear.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN) | 100.00% (13 of 13 testers, LSBN Appendix B1, Jan.–Dec. 2024) |
| Job placement rate (BSN, school-reported) | Grambling’s School of Nursing homepage lists a 90% job placement rate for the 2025 calendar year—confirm cohort definition and methodology with the school. |
| Completion rate (BSN, school-reported) | Homepage lists multiple completion metrics (e.g., LSBN seven-semester vs. CCNE reporting)—confirm which measure applies to your pathway. |
| Source | LSBN Annual Report 2024; Grambling School of Nursing. Confirm current outcomes with LSBN and the school. |
Is Grambling State University School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Grambling fits students seeking a public HBCU environment, transparent BSN entry criteria (TEAS, GPA, ACT/SAT), and documented LSBN NCLEX results for small baccalaureate cohorts. It may be less ideal if you require a large research medical center in the same town, or if you cannot travel for regional clinical placements.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want mission-driven nursing education with graduate pathways in FNP, nurse education, or PNP.
- Value a documented 2024 first-time NCLEX pass rate from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
- Prefer a residential campus in North Louisiana with access to regional healthcare systems.
- Can meet TEAS, GPA, and science prerequisite expectations outlined in the official BSN packet.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need an ABSN or accelerated second-degree track without relocating—verify options with admissions.
- Expect a large cohort or guaranteed placement at a specific named hospital every semester.
- Cannot meet on-campus TEAS or interview requirements.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Grambling sits in Lincoln Parish near Ruston, with regional hospitals and community clinics across North Louisiana and into East Texas. Clinical assignments vary by semester; the School of Nursing arranges experiences consistent with LSBN requirements. Students should expect to travel to facilities in the broader region rather than assuming every rotation is local to campus.
| Region / setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Monroe / West Monroe | Larger tertiary hospitals and specialty networks within a regional drive—common destinations for North Louisiana nursing education. |
| Shreveport–Bossier City | Additional metro capacity and specialty services within a regional radius—specific sites depend on program contracts. |
| Rural & community Louisiana | Community clinics and smaller hospitals provide primary care and chronic disease exposure—aligns with FNP and community-health emphasis in Grambling’s graduate materials. |
Next step: Ask the School of Nursing for the current list of affiliated agencies for your entry term.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses are taught in the Betty E. Smith Nursing Building, where the BSN packet also schedules ATI TEAS testing. Campus life follows Grambling’s broader student experience—athletics, marching band, and student organizations—plus nursing-specific advising and progression standards.
Prospective students can schedule campus tours through Undergraduate Admissions and should request nursing-specific details from the School of Nursing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- School of Nursing
- Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
- Address
- 1 Cole Street, Grambling, LA 71245, US
- Telephone
- (318) 274-2528
- Nurse administrator
- Meg Brown, PhD, RN — brownmar@gram.edu, (318) 274-2632
- Website
- gram.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the latest BSN application packet and note TEAS dates, GPA rules, and science prerequisites.
- Create your ATI account, register for an on-campus TEAS date, and plan for two attempts if needed.
- Review the differential tuition schedule for nursing and estimate nursing clinical course fees.
- Open the LSBN annual report PDF and locate Grambling’s baccalaureate NCLEX table.
- Explore graduate tracks on the FNP and curriculum index if you are an RN planning advanced study.
- Email brownmar@gram.edu or call (318) 274-2528 with entry-term questions.
- Schedule a campus tour through Admissions and ask to see the nursing building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Grambling State University School of Nursing?
The School of Nursing is at 1 Cole Street, Grambling, Louisiana 71245. Main phone: (318) 274-2528. Associate Dean Meg Brown can be reached at brownmar@gram.edu or (318) 274-2632.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Grambling’s BSN program?
According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report (Appendix B1, Jan.–Dec. 2024), Grambling had 13 first-time testers and 13 passes (100.00%). Confirm newer cohorts with LSBN and the school.
What GPA and tests does Grambling’s BSN require?
The Spring 2026 BSN packet specifies about 2.8 GPA in pre-nursing courses, grades of C or higher in required sciences, ACT 21 or SAT 1060–1090, and ATI TEAS ≥ 64% on campus. Download the newest packet for your cycle.
Does Grambling require TEAS on campus?
Yes—the packet requires ATI TEAS at Grambling’s Betty E. Smith Nursing Building, with two attempts and official score transmission to the School of Nursing.
How much is nursing undergraduate tuition at Grambling?
Fall 2025–Spring 2026 differential tuition lists about $3,976.02 per semester for Louisiana residents (12+ hours, commuting) and $8,487.52 for non-residents, plus nursing clinical fees ($300–$465 per course) and the undergraduate book bundle ($24/credit hour).
What MSN tracks does Grambling offer?
The curriculum index lists FNP, Nurse Educator (Adult Geriatric and Maternal Child focuses), Pediatric NP, and post-master’s FNP certificate options—verify active tracks on gram.edu nursing curriculum.
Is Grambling’s nursing program accredited?
Grambling states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate program and ACEN accreditation for the master’s program, with LSBN full approval for BSN and MSN. Confirm with CCNE, ACEN, LSBN, and the school.
Does Grambling offer RN-to-BSN?
Yes—the nursing curriculum index includes an RN-to-BSN program link. Confirm delivery and admission criteria on the official RN-to-BSN page.
When is the BSN application due?
The Spring 2026 application packet lists an April 13, 2026 deadline for that cycle’s instructions. Deadlines change—always use the packet posted on gram.edu for your term.
References
- Grambling State University — School of Nursinghttps://www.gram.edu/academics/majors/pro-grad-studies/nursing/
- Grambling — BSN Application Packet (Spring 2026 cycle PDF)BSN Application SP 2026 Cycle.pdf
- Grambling — Nursing curriculum indexhttps://www.gram.edu/academics/majors/pro-grad-studies/nursing/curriculum/
- Grambling — FNP program overviewhttps://www.gram.edu/academics/majors/pro-grad-studies/nursing/degrees/fnp.php
- Grambling — Tuition & fees (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026)https://www.gram.edu/finaid/tuition/
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing — Annual Report 2024 (NCLEX Appendix)annualreport2024.pdf
- Louisiana State Board of Nursinghttps://www.lsbn.state.la.us/
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment of NCLEX figures with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report PDF, tuition tables with Grambling’s Fall 2025–Spring 2026 fee schedules, and program listings with Grambling’s nursing curriculum index and application packet.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy