McNeese State University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Public University of Louisiana System nursing programs in Lake Charles: CCNE-accredited Traditional BSN and online RN-to-BSN, plus MSN (FNP, PMHNP, Nursing Education), a Post-Master’s PMHNP certificate, and a PMHNP-to-DNP pathway. This guide uses McNeese’s academic catalog and estimated costs for tuition, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual reports for official NCLEX-RN tables, and the College of Nursing page for school-reported outcome context.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
McNeese anchors Southwest Louisiana’s largest public nursing pipeline: simulation and skills labs on campus, competitive entry to the clinical BSN sequence, and fully online RN-to-BSN and MSN options aligned with the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN). The College highlights strong NCLEX performance in marketing materials—pair those claims with Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report tables for official first-time pass rates by year.
Overview & Why Students Choose McNeese State University
On Interstate 10 between Houston and Lafayette, Lake Charles is the hub of Southwest Louisiana’s petrochemical and healthcare corridor. McNeese State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions trains RNs and advanced practice nurses who often rotate through regional hospitals such as Lake Charles Memorial Health System and CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital—examples named on McNeese graduate nursing pages alongside other employers.
The catalog lists a 120-credit Traditional BSN, a competitive clinical nursing sequence after prerequisite coursework, 100% online RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN articulation with the HESI LPN Mobility Exam, and CCNE-accredited MSN (Family NP, Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, Nursing Education), a Post-Master’s PMHNP certificate, and a PMHNP-to-DNP program. McNeese markets roughly 98% NCLEX passage on its College of Nursing page—treat that as school-reported context and verify cohort data with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
Official first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by school and year appear in the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report PDF (look for appendices listing performance of first-time candidates by program). McNeese’s College of Nursing states students have achieved about a 98% passage rate on the NCLEX exam—attribute that claim to the school and confirm the latest cohort with LSBN and McNeese.
Reasons students choose McNeese
Southwest Louisiana clinical access
Lake Charles anchors Calcasieu Parish; students access Gulf Coast patient populations, community health in rural parishes, and regional hospital systems for acute and specialty care.
Full online MSN & RN-BSN
The catalog lists RN-to-BSN and MSN concentrations as 100% online—useful for working RNs balancing shifts while advancing toward BSN, NP, or nurse educator roles.
ICMSN graduate consortium
Graduate nursing partners with Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Nicholls State University through the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing for shared resources and networking.
PMHNP-focused doctoral pathway
McNeese’s DNP catalog entry targets PMHNPs seeking a practice doctorate with hybrid delivery and prior-learning credit for certified PMHNPs—unusual specialization among Louisiana public programs.
Transparent tuition tables
The academic catalog publishes semester tuition and fee totals by credit-hour bands (updated April 2025)—see the cost section for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 undergraduate examples.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below is drawn from the Department of Undergraduate Nursing, Department of Graduate Nursing, and College of Nursing and Health Professions pages. Programs are grouped into pre-licensure, post-licensure (LPN/RN), graduate (MSN), certificates, and doctoral (DNP).
Pre-licensure
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Nursing, BSN — 120 credit hours; freshman-through-senior sequencing in the catalog (NURS 100 through NURS 425). CCNE-accredited baccalaureate program; LSBN-approved. Admission to the clinical nursing sequence is competitive after ~51 hours of prerequisites with minimum 2.7 GPA in prescribed courses and sciences, passing the required nursing admission test, and LSBN clearance.
LPN-to-BSN articulation
Available to graduates of accredited LPN programs with active LPN/LVN license and at least one year of acute care hospital experience; awards 13 hours of advanced placement after successful HESI LPN Mobility Exam per Department of Undergraduate Nursing catalog.
Post-licensure (RN)
RN-to-BSN
Nursing, RN to BSN, BSN — 100% online; 120 total hours; requires unencumbered RN license for clinical project experiences. Catalog program Nursing, RN to BSN, BSN.
Graduate (MSN)
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN FNP — 42 credits (focused scholarly project) or 45 credits (thesis option) per catalog; 100% online; clinical preceptorships in Louisiana or Texas per graduate nursing admission text.
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN PMHNP — 48–51 credits per catalog; 100% online. Eligibility for ANCC PMHNP certification cited on graduate pages.
Nursing Education
MSN Nursing Education — 40 credits (project) or 43 credits (thesis) per catalog; prepares for NLN certification exam eligibility per graduate department text.
Post-master’s certificate & DNP
Post-Master’s PMHNP
Prepares nurse practitioners to credential in psychiatric mental health nursing; admission requires unencumbered APRN license (Louisiana or Texas) per Department of Graduate Nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (PMHNP to DNP)
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, PMHNP to DNP, DNP — 54 credits; hybrid (50–99% coursework online); fall entry only. ANCC-certified PMHNPs may apply prior-learning credit per catalog program poid 59356.
Confirm accreditation, approval, and active status of each track with McNeese, CCNE, and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Official source: The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) publishes annual reports with school-level first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Louisiana programs (for example, Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report 2024 PDF). Locate McNeese State University in the baccalaureate table for the reporting year you need—figures and tester counts change every year.
School-reported context: McNeese’s College of Nursing and Health Professions states that nursing students have achieved about a 98% passage rate on the NCLEX exam—attribute this to the school as marketing language, not LSBN, and confirm current cohort performance in the newest LSBN annual report.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (official) | See LSBN annual report appendix for McNeese State University baccalaureate row for the selected calendar year (e.g., 2024 report PDF). |
| NCLEX-RN (school-reported snapshot) | McNeese College of Nursing page cites ~98% NCLEX passage—confirm cohort year and methodology with the school. |
| Source | LSBN Annual Report (example PDF); McNeese College of Nursing. Confirm current data with LSBN and McNeese. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and McNeese State University.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
McNeese’s nursing admission page links an international checklist. The Department of Undergraduate Nursing catalog sets minimum English proficiency scores for applicants to the clinical sequence: TOEFL iBT minimum 19 per section (76 total), IELTS composite 6.0, PTE 51, or Duolingo 110—scores must be submitted by the clinical application deadline. Policies are subject to change; this is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm current minimums with the Department of Undergraduate Nursing and the Office of International Student Services.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow McNeese admissions for official transcripts and any required evaluations.
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, review LSBN student and endorsement requirements.
- Immigration & visa: Pre-licensure BSN requires in-person labs and clinical placements; confirm F-1 or other visa compatibility with required hours.
Verify policies with McNeese’s international office, the nursing department, and LSBN.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
University admission does not guarantee a seat in the clinical nursing sequence. The Department of Undergraduate Nursing catalog section lists competitive progression rules: minimum 2.7 GPA in the first three semesters of the curriculum as written, 2.7 GPA in sciences (BIOL 201, 225, 226; CHEM 120; NRHP 100), no more than two repeats of non-clinical courses with D/F in the pre-clinical semesters, and passing the required nursing admission test (exam name and cut scores—confirm with the department). Applicants must also be cleared by LSBN for clinical coursework.
Application timeline (graduate nursing)
| Program | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MSN & Post-Master’s Certificate | May 1 (fall start); November 1 (spring start) | Per Department of Graduate Nursing catalog; materials include essay, résumé, two recommendations, RN licensure eligibility. |
| DNP (PMHNP to DNP) | Fall entry only | See Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in the catalog. |
| BSN clinical sequence | Varies by term | Follow Department of Undergraduate Nursing application instructions and posted deadlines; no waiting list per catalog. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (pre-clinical BSN) | 2.7 cumulative in prescribed first-year/sophomore courses; 2.7 in science courses per catalog |
| Nursing admission test | Required for clinical sequence; catalog does not name a single vendor in the eligibility list—confirm exam (e.g., TEAS/HESI) with the department |
| LPN-to-BSN | HESI LPN Mobility Exam for advanced placement after LPN coursework and experience requirements |
| MSN GPA | Minimum 2.8 undergraduate GPA or 2.5 with GRE 290 combined (verbal, quantitative, writing) per graduate nursing admission text |
Honest tip: Download the current Student Handbook and application instructions from McNeese nursing—the catalog reserves the right to change admission criteria.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition figures below come from McNeese’s Fees and Expenses (Subject to Change) catalog page (updated April 8, 2025) and the Estimated Costs page for 2025–2026. Amounts are subject to change by the Louisiana Legislature or University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
| Category | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition & fees — Louisiana resident, 12 credit hours (Fall 2025) | $4,547.32 per semester (tuition & mandatory fees combined per catalog table) |
| Undergraduate tuition & fees — Louisiana resident, 12 credit hours (Spring 2026) | $4,537.32 per semester |
| Undergraduate tuition & fees — Domestic non-resident, 12 credit hours (Fall 2025) | $5,047.32 (includes $500 non-resident fee) |
| Estimated academic year tuition & fees (in-state, full-time) | $9,448 total Fall + Spring (Estimated Costs page; based on prior-year actuals) |
| Graduate tuition & fees — Louisiana resident, 9 credit hours (Fall 2025) | $4,556.53 per semester (example band from graduate table) |
| Nursing clinical application fee | $30 per catalog special fees list |
| 100% online graduate course fee | $30 per credit hour for fully online classes (per catalog special fees) |
| Source | McNeese catalog — Fees and Expenses; Estimated Costs; Financial Aid |
Housing, meals, transportation, books, and personal expenses add to direct costs—see the Estimated Costs page for Fall/Spring semester ranges.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pair Louisiana State Board of Nursing licensure exam data with McNeese’s consumer disclosures. The graduate nursing page states that certification pass rates for FNP and PMHNP graduates have been strong in recent years—McNeese uses high-percentage language; confirm cohort year, exam type, and methodology on the graduate program page before relying on any single percentage.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN) | See LSBN annual report school-specific row for McNeese State University baccalaureate program. |
| NCLEX-RN (school-reported snapshot) | College of Nursing page cites ~98% NCLEX passage—confirm with McNeese and LSBN. |
| NP certification exams (school-reported) | Graduate nursing page references strong FNP/PMHNP certification performance—confirm definitions, cohorts, and years with the Department of Graduate Nursing. |
| Source | LSBN Annual Report (example PDF); McNeese Graduate Nursing; College of Nursing and Health Professions—confirm current outcomes with LSBN and the school. |
Is McNeese State University the Right Fit for You?
McNeese fits students who want a public University of Louisiana System campus in Southwest Louisiana, competitive admission to a traditional BSN clinical sequence, and a graduate portfolio that includes online MSN and PMHNP-focused DNP options. It may be less ideal if you require a large academic medical center in the same city every semester, or if you cannot travel for regional clinical placements along the Gulf Coast.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want CCNE-accredited BSN and graduate nursing pathways with ICMSN consortium connections.
- Plan to work or study in the Lake Charles–Beaumont–Lafayette corridor.
- Need an online RN-to-BSN or MSN while continuing employment.
- Are PMHNPs seeking a DNP with hybrid coursework and prior-learning credit options.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect guaranteed admission to the clinical BSN sequence without meeting competitive GPA and testing requirements.
- Cannot complete Louisiana/Texas clinical requirements for graduate NP programs.
- Require a program McNeese does not list—verify non-catalog pathways directly with admissions.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Lake Charles is the seat of Calcasieu Parish and a regional center for petrochemical employers, port logistics, and specialty healthcare. The Calcasieu Community Clinic—described in the McNeese catalog—operates as a teaching site for faculty and students.
| Facility / region | Details |
|---|---|
| Lake Charles Memorial Health System | Major local provider; McNeese graduate nursing pages cite Memorial among example employers. |
| CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital | Named on McNeese graduate nursing pages as an example regional employer. |
| Southwest Louisiana & Gulf Coast corridor | Clinical placements vary by semester; students may travel to hospitals and community clinics across parishes and into neighboring regions. |
Next step: Ask the Department of Undergraduate or Graduate Nursing for the current list of affiliated agencies for your entry term.
Student Experience & Campus Life
The College of Nursing and Health Professions lists office contact at Hardtner Hall, Room 102. McNeese’s graduate nursing pages describe clinical simulation labs with high-fidelity mannequins and standardized patient software for graduate students; undergraduate students progress through skills and clinical courses outlined in the BSN catalog. Campus life includes NCAA Division I athletics (McNeese Cowboys and Cowgirls), student organizations, and Southwest Louisiana culture.
Schedule visits through Campus Visit and contact the Department of Undergraduate or Graduate Nursing for program-specific tours.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- College of Nursing
- McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA
- Office
- Hardtner Hall, Room 102 (per College of Nursing page)
- Address
- 4205 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605, US
- Telephone
- (337) 475-5820
- Graduate nursing email
- graduatenursing@mcneese.edu
- Website
- mcneese.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Department of Undergraduate Nursing catalog section for clinical-sequence GPA, science rules, and nursing admission test requirements.
- Download the current nursing Student Handbook or application instructions from mcneese.edu/nursing.
- Review Estimated Costs and the catalog tuition tables for your credit load.
- Open the LSBN annual report PDF and locate McNeese State University in the baccalaureate NCLEX appendix.
- If applying to MSN/DNP, confirm graduate nursing admission deadlines (May 1 / November 1 for MSN).
- Call (337) 475-5820 or email graduatenursing@mcneese.edu for graduate program questions.
- Schedule a campus visit and request nursing advising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is McNeese State University nursing located?
The College of Nursing and Health Professions lists Hardtner Hall, Room 102. Main campus: 4205 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605. Nursing office phone: (337) 475-5820.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for McNeese’s BSN program?
Official first-time pass rates by year appear in the Louisiana State Board of Nursing annual report PDF—find McNeese in the baccalaureate table. McNeese’s College page cites about 98% NCLEX passage (school-reported). Confirm cohorts with LSBN and McNeese.
What GPA does McNeese require for the BSN clinical sequence?
The catalog requires 2.7 cumulative GPA in the first three semesters of curriculum courses and 2.7 in specified science courses, plus passing the required nursing admission test—selection is competitive.
Does McNeese require TEAS for BSN?
The catalog lists a required nursing admission test but does not name the vendor in the eligibility bullet list—confirm whether TEAS, HESI, or another exam applies with the Department of Undergraduate Nursing. LPN-to-BSN uses the HESI LPN Mobility Exam for advanced placement.
How much is undergraduate tuition at McNeese (2025–2026)?
The Estimated Costs page lists $9,448 annual tuition and fees for in-state full-time students. The catalog shows $4,547.32 (Fall 2025) and $4,537.32 (Spring 2026) for 12 credit hours, Louisiana resident—amounts differ slightly from the estimate; confirm your bill.
What MSN concentrations does McNeese offer?
Family NP, Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, and Nursing Education—all described as 100% online in the catalog and graduate pages.
Is McNeese nursing CCNE-accredited?
The Department of Undergraduate Nursing and Department of Graduate Nursing catalog pages state CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate and graduate programs. Confirm current status with CCNE and the school.
Does McNeese offer RN-to-BSN online?
Yes—the catalog program Nursing, RN to BSN, BSN is 100% online and requires an unencumbered RN license.
When are MSN applications due at McNeese?
The graduate nursing catalog lists May 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission for completed MSN application materials.
What DNP does McNeese offer?
McNeese offers a PMHNP-to-DNP (Advanced Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing) hybrid program, fall entry—see catalog DNP admission section.
References
- McNeese State University — College of Nursing and Health Professionshttps://www.mcneese.edu/nursing/college-of-nursing-and-health-professions/
- McNeese — Department of Undergraduate Nursing (catalog)catalog.mcneese.edu — ent_oid 5215
- McNeese — Department of Graduate Nursing (catalog)catalog.mcneese.edu — ent_oid 5216
- McNeese — Graduate Nursing (MSN overview)https://www.mcneese.edu/academics/graduate/nursing/
- McNeese — Estimated Costs (2025–2026)https://www.mcneese.edu/admissions/estimated-costs/
- McNeese — Catalog: Fees and Expensescatalog.mcneese.edu — navoid 8191
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing — Annual Report (example PDF)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 program lists with the McNeese academic catalog (undergraduate and graduate nursing entities), tuition with the catalog Fees and Expenses page and Estimated Costs, NCLEX discussion with LSBN annual report sourcing, and school-reported outcome language with the College of Nursing page.
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