Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
The School of Nursing at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans (public nursing programs at nursing.lsuhsc.edu): Traditional BSN, CARE accelerated second-degree BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD. This guide cites LSUHSC’s published nursing tuition and fees (2025–2026) and Louisiana State Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN data for the LSU Health New Orleans baccalaureate row in Appendix C1 (same school name used in LSBN tables).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing is headquartered on the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans campus (1900 Gravier Street), with BSN pathways that include off-campus instructional sites in Baton Rouge and Shreveport. The school publishes a broad DNP footprint (including nurse practitioner specialties and nurse anesthesia) and a research PhD in nursing—useful if you want graduate options aligned with the same institution as your pre-licensure or RN completion work.
Overview & Why Students Choose LSUHSC School of Nursing
New Orleans anchors one of the region’s largest healthcare labor markets, and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing operates on the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans campus—so students train in a dedicated health sciences environment with graduate medical and allied health programs on the same campus ecosystem. The BSN program is structured in multiple concentrations: a three-year Traditional BSN, the CARE accelerated second-degree track for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and an RN-to-BSN articulation path—with some concentrations taught at off-campus instructional sites in Baton Rouge and Shreveport as described in the LSUHSC catalog.
Graduate nursing includes an MSN with Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator concentrations, a Doctor of Nursing Practice with multiple APRN and systems-level tracks (including nurse anesthesia and nurse-midwifery on the school’s site), and a PhD in Nursing for research careers. This page does not list every DNP specialty—confirm the current concentration list on the DNP pages before applying.
According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) annual report, Appendix C1 (first-time NCLEX-RN candidates, January 1–December 31, 2023), LSU Health New Orleans had 224 first-time candidates and 212 passing, a 94.64% first-time pass rate. The same appendix reports a 94.84% average for all Louisiana baccalaureate programs in that period. Confirm the latest year in the current LSBN annual report.
Reasons students choose LSUHSC Nursing
Academic health center campus
Students learn in a health sciences center setting in New Orleans, with access to the clinical and simulation infrastructure typical of a major medical campus.
Published NCLEX performance (LSBN)
LSBN’s 2023 annual report lists a 94.64% first-time pass rate for LSU Health New Orleans baccalaureate NCLEX-RN candidates (212 of 224), slightly below the 94.84% Louisiana baccalaureate average in the same table—use only as a historical snapshot.
Multiple BSN entry points
Traditional pre-licensure BSN, CARE accelerated second-degree BSN, and RN-to-BSN let different student types find a pathway; the catalog also describes an EARN transition option with Delgado Charity School of Nursing.
Graduate breadth
MSN (CNL, Nurse Educator), DNP pathways spanning multiple APRN roles and nurse anesthesia, and a PhD in Nursing support progression without leaving the LSUHSC nursing school.
Regional clinical demand
Southeast Louisiana’s hospital networks and community clinics create a steady need for new RNs and advanced practice nurses—clinical placement specifics vary by semester and program.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects the LSUHSC catalog Nursing, BSN program description, the MSN, DNP, and PhD pages, and the School of Nursing homepage. Programs are grouped into pre-licensure, post-licensure (RN), master’s, and doctoral.
Pre-licensure (BSN)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The catalog describes a three-year professional nursing curriculum after prerequisites. Traditional BSN is offered in New Orleans and at the Baton Rouge off-campus instructional site. Applicants use NursingCAS; the Traditional BSN concentration requires the HESI A2 exam per the catalog.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) — CARE concentration
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at LSU Health New Orleans the program is called CARE (Career Alternative RN Education): an accelerated second-degree BSN under two years for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Offered in New Orleans (Fall only) and at the Shreveport OCIS (Fall and Spring per catalog).
Post-licensure (RN)
RN to BSN
One-year articulation concentration for RNs with an associate degree or diploma and a current Louisiana license; also taught at the Shreveport site for RN-to-BSN per catalog. The catalog lists a separate EARN early-admission pathway for qualifying Delgado Charity School of Nursing students.
Graduate (MSN)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
LSUHSC’s MSN page lists two concentrations: Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator, with core coursework plus concentration-specific study.
Doctoral (DNP & PhD)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP pathways. The DNP program page groups advanced practice roles (including multiple nurse practitioner specialties, nurse anesthesia, nurse-midwife, adult-gerontology CNS) and aggregate/systems roles (executive nurse leader, public health/community health, post-master’s nurse educator). Dual concentrations and elective specialty courses are listed on the school site—confirm availability for your target term.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Research-focused doctorate preparing nurse scientists; the program page describes scholarship and research expectations and names the PhD program director for inquiries.
Concentrations, tracks, and campus locations change. Confirm active programs, specialty availability, and delivery mode on nursing.lsuhsc.edu and the current LSUHSC catalog before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) annual report, Appendix C1—Performance of First Time Candidates of Nursing Education Programs in Louisiana on NCLEX-RN, regardless of where taking examination, January 1 – December 31, 2023—the most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for LSU Health New Orleans (baccalaureate row) was 94.64% (212 passing of 224 first-time candidates). The same appendix reports a 94.84% pass rate for all Louisiana baccalaureate programs combined in that calendar period.
For newer cohorts after 2023, open the latest LSBN annual report and Appendix C tables. NCLEX-RN applies to pre-licensure BSN graduates; MSN, DNP, and PhD outcomes use different national exams where applicable.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (LSU Health New Orleans, baccalaureate) | 94.64% (212 of 224 first-time candidates; calendar year 2023) |
| Louisiana baccalaureate average (same appendix) | 94.84% (all LA baccalaureate programs, 2023) |
| Source | LSBN annual report 2023 (Appendix C1). Confirm current data with LSBN and the School of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
LSUHSC participates in centralized nursing admissions (NursingCAS) for undergraduate programs; international and foreign-educated applicants must meet institutional, visa, and Louisiana State Board of Nursing requirements. This section is guidance only—not legal, immigration, or licensing advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL, IELTS, or other tests and minimum scores with LSUHSC admissions and the Office of Student Affairs (nsstuaffairs@lsuhsc.edu).
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow LSUHSC instructions for official transcripts; determine whether WES, CGFNS, or another evaluation is required for prior coursework.
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing: For RN licensure eligibility, NCLEX authorization, and internationally educated nurse pathways, work directly with LSBN.
- Immigration & visa: Pre-licensure nursing requires in-person labs and clinicals; confirm F-1 or other visa rules with the institution’s international office and your program.
Requirements change; verify with LSU Health New Orleans, LSBN, and official immigration resources.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
The LSUHSC catalog states that admission to the baccalaureate program is very competitive, that meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission, and that undergraduate applicants apply through NursingCAS. The Admissions, Progression, and Graduation committee admits Traditional BSN classes each Fall and Spring; RN-to-BSN admits Spring, Summer, and Fall; CARE New Orleans admits Fall only, while CARE Shreveport admits Fall and Spring.
Application timeline (Traditional BSN)
| Entry | Decision timeline (catalog) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Written decision by mid-May | Confirm application open/close dates in NursingCAS and on the School of Nursing site. |
| Spring semester | Written decision by mid-November | Same—verify current cycle dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA — Traditional BSN | 3.0 on pre-nursing courses; B or better in science prerequisites; C or better in non-science prerequisites (per 2025–2026 catalog) |
| Entrance exam | HESI A2 required for Traditional BSN; CARE and RN-to-BSN use different rules—see catalog |
| CARE (ABSN) prerequisites | Bachelor’s degree in any field; 3.0 GPA on prerequisites; 43 prerequisite hours completed before admission per catalog |
| RN-to-BSN | 2.8 GPA on previous nursing courses; current Louisiana RN license; ADN or diploma from accredited college (catalog) |
Honest tip: Because the catalog states preference for applicants completing pre-nursing courses in the LSU System and caps repeats on prerequisite courses, plan a clean prerequisite sequence early and schedule the HESI A2 in time for your target NursingCAS deadline.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing Tuition and Fees schedule and the printable fee table (2025–2026). Rates are set by the institution and can change; confirm your bill with the Bursar.
| Program / category | Tuition snapshot (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing — full-time (12+ hrs Fall/Spring; 6+ Summer) | Resident total student charges (tuition + fees listed) about $4,499.65 per Fall, $4,499.65 per Spring, $2,241.82 Summer—roughly $11,241.12 for Fall+Spring+Summer combined per table; non-residents add non-resident fee rows in the same schedule |
| CARE undergraduate full-time | Separate totals in the CARE block (higher Summer tuition line in schedule)—see printable table |
| Graduate nursing (full-time, excluding DNP schedule lines) | Resident semester totals about $5,279.20 Fall, $5,279.20 Spring, $2,796.10 Summer; annual-style sum $13,354.50 before non-resident fees |
| DNP (full-time, except nurse anesthesia block) | Resident totals about $8,755.10 / $8,755.10 / $4,397.30 per printable table |
| Housing, food, transport | Not publicly disclosed on this tuition page—budget separately for New Orleans or OCIS locations |
| Source | LSUHSC School of Nursing tuition/fee print schedule |
Use LSUHSC financial aid and student affairs resources for scholarships, loans, and a full cost-of-attendance estimate.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair LSBN licensure examination data with any school-reported employment figures only when the source and year are clear.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (baccalaureate) | 94.64% for LSU Health New Orleans in 2023 (LSBN annual report Appendix C1—see NCLEX section) |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed in the sources used for this page—see the school’s outcomes or career materials if published |
| Source | LSBN annual report 2023; LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing |
Is Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
The LSUHSC School of Nursing fits students who want a public health sciences university in an urban medical hub, a choice of BSN entry models (traditional, accelerated second-degree, RN completion), and a wide DNP footprint for later advancement. It may be less ideal if you need fully online pre-licensure nursing, expect guaranteed admission once minimum GPAs are met, or prefer a small private college environment.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want documented NCLEX-RN outcomes from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report.
- Are targeting second-degree accelerated BSN (CARE) or RN-to-BSN completion with clear catalog rules.
- Value staying within one LSU Health nursing school for MSN → DNP → PhD progression.
- Plan to work in Southeast Louisiana or Gulf South health systems after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot relocate to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Shreveport for the required campus or OCIS format.
- Expect a non-competitive admissions process—the catalog states admission is very competitive.
- Need the lowest possible national out-of-state tuition—compare non-resident LSUHSC totals carefully.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
New Orleans is a major Gulf South healthcare hub with academic medical centers, safety-net hospitals, specialty institutes, and community clinics serving diverse urban and coastal populations. Nursing students typically rotate through a mix of inpatient, ambulatory, and community settings; exact placement lists change by semester—confirm active sites with the School of Nursing.
| Facility / system type | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic medical centers & teaching hospitals | Major New Orleans hospitals provide tertiary and quaternary care; students often encounter high-acuity med-surg, critical care, and specialty units. |
| Community & public health | Neighborhood clinics, parish health units, and mobile outreach reflect Louisiana’s chronic disease and coastal health needs. |
| Regional campuses | Baton Rouge and Shreveport OCIS locations expand access to clinical sites outside the New Orleans metro per catalog. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The LSUHSC School of Nursing lists skills and simulation resources on its site (including a Nursing Skills and Technology Center contact number on the contact page), white coat ceremonies for cohorts, and student-facing events such as information sessions and family day. Student organizations and professional networks—national and local—are common in university nursing programs; confirm active groups with the Office of Student Affairs.
Life in New Orleans blends historic neighborhoods, cultural events, and coastal climate considerations; students at Baton Rouge or Shreveport OCIS sites experience different local communities while following the same curriculum models described in the catalog.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans — School of Nursing
- Address
- 1900 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, US
- Office of Student Affairs
- 504-568-4114
- nsstuaffairs@lsuhsc.edu (academic/admissions counseling per catalog)
- Website
- nursing.lsuhsc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open BSN application information for NursingCAS steps, HESI A2 details, and prerequisite lists.
- Download the LSBN annual report and locate Appendix C1 for LSU Health New Orleans NCLEX-RN figures.
- Review the 2025–2026 nursing tuition print schedule for your residency status and full-time vs. part-time bands.
- Attend a virtual information session for your target program (BSN, DNP, PhD, etc.).
- Email nsstuaffairs@lsuhsc.edu to book academic or admissions counseling per the catalog.
- Compare OCIS options (Baton Rouge, Shreveport) if you cannot attend full-time in New Orleans.
- Bookmark LSBN for licensure rules and future NCLEX reporting cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing located?
The School of Nursing is at 1900 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. The catalog also describes BSN instruction at off-campus instructional sites in Baton Rouge and Shreveport for selected concentrations.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (LSBN row: LSU Health New Orleans)?
According to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report Appendix C1 (first-time candidates, calendar year 2023), the baccalaureate row for LSU Health New Orleans shows a 94.64% first-time pass rate (212 of 224). See the LSBN annual report PDF. Confirm current rates with LSBN and the school.
What nursing programs does LSUHSC School of Nursing offer?
BSN concentrations (Traditional, CARE accelerated second-degree, RN-to-BSN, EARN pathway), MSN (Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator), DNP (multiple APRN and systems tracks), and PhD in Nursing. Verify active tracks on nursing.lsuhsc.edu.
How much is LSUHSC School of Nursing tuition for 2025–2026?
Per the LSUHSC nursing tuition print schedule, full-time undergraduate nursing resident totals are about $11,241.12 in combined Fall, Spring, and Summer student charges; non-residents pay additional non-resident fees. Graduate and DNP rates are listed separately.
Does Traditional BSN at LSUHSC require TEAS or HESI?
The 2025–2026 catalog requires the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) for Traditional BSN. Other concentrations may differ—see application information.
How do I apply to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing?
Undergraduate applicants use NursingCAS. The catalog states decisions by mid-May (Fall) and mid-November (Spring) for Traditional BSN.
Is LSUHSC School of Nursing accredited?
The BSN catalog states CCNE accreditation and LSBN approval. Confirm current status with CCNE, LSBN, and the school.
What is CARE at LSUHSC School of Nursing?
CARE is the accelerated second-degree BSN (under two years) for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, with distinct prerequisites and admissions rules.
What minimum GPA does LSUHSC require for Traditional BSN?
The catalog lists a minimum 3.0 GPA on pre-nursing courses, with B grades or better in science prerequisites, for Traditional BSN applicants.
Is “Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing” the same institution as LSU Health New Orleans?
Yes. The School of Nursing at nursing.lsuhsc.edu is the nursing school of LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans; LSBN tables often label the program row “LSU Health New Orleans.” Confirm details on the official site.
References
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing (nursing.lsuhsc.edu)https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/
- LSUHSC Catalog — Nursing, BSN (2025–2026)catalog.lsuhsc.edu — Nursing, BSN
- LSUHSC — School of Nursing Tuition and Feeshttps://www.lsuhsc.edu/tuition/nursingNext.aspx
- LSUHSC — Nursing tuition/fee print schedule (2025–2026)https://www.lsuhsc.edu/tuition/php/nursingnext.php
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing — Annual Report 2023 (NCLEX Appendix C1)annualreport2023.pdf
- Louisiana State Board of NursingLSBN
- 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 NCLEX alignment with LSBN Appendix C1 (LSU Health New Orleans row), tuition alignment with the LSUHSC School of Nursing print schedule, and program scope against the LSUHSC catalog and nursing.lsuhsc.edu.
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