Sowela Technical Community College Nursing (2026): ASN, Practical Nursing & Requirements
LCTCS college in southwest Louisiana: ACEN-accredited Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) for traditional RN entry and LPN-to-RN, plus LSBPNE-accredited Practical Nursing across multiple instructional sites. This guide cites SOWELA’s Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing pages (including school-published NCLEX tables), the FY 2025–2026 tuition PDF, and official admission requirements—confirm every figure for your entry term.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
SOWELA’s School of Nursing & Allied Health runs cohort-based programs from Lake Charles with additional PN and LPN-to-RN sites across southwest Louisiana—useful if you want to train near home while accessing Gulf Coast referral hospitals and regional employers. Pair published LCTCS tuition tables with TEAS-based selective admission and the college’s own NCLEX passage tables on the Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing pages.
Overview & Why Students Choose Sowela Technical Community College
Along the I-10 corridor in Lake Charles, SOWELA’s School of Nursing & Allied Health offers selective pre-licensure pathways: a 71-credit ASN for traditional RN students, an LPN-to-RN ASN track that starts each summer at Lake Charles and the Lamar Salter site in Leesville, and Practical Nursing technical-diploma or AAS options with cohorts at Lake Charles, Jennings, Lamar Salter, Oakdale, and Morgan Smith instructional sites.
SOWELA publishes Student Achievement tables on its Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing program pages—use those school-reported NCLEX passage rates as planning snapshots, then confirm the next cohort with SOWELA and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (RN) or LSBPNE (PN).
Per the Student Achievement table on SOWELA’s Nursing (RN) page, total ASN NCLEX passage was reported at 95.7% for the 2024 graduation year and 93.3% for the May 2025 row (with separate columns for traditional ASN and LPN-to-RN). Confirm current cohorts with SOWELA and the LSBN.
Reasons students choose SOWELA
Multi-site Practical Nursing
Cohorts rotate among southwest Louisiana instructional sites—helpful if you need a campus closer to Jennings, Leesville, Oakdale, or Morgan.
Published NCLEX tables
SOWELA lists year-by-year NCLEX passage rates for ASN tracks and PN terms by site—transparent for applicants who want school-reported history (always confirm the latest year).
LPN-to-RN mobility
Licensed LPNs with IV certification can pursue the ASN summer start with TEAS VII and ATI Fundamentals requirements spelled out in SOWELA’s admission requirements.
LCTCS tuition PDF
Student Accounts posts a downloadable FY 2025–2026 tuition and fee schedule with per-credit tuition, GRAD Act line, and total-due examples—reconcile with LoLA.
ACEN ASN + regional partnerships
SOWELA states ACEN continuing accreditation for the ASN and notes transfer agreements with four-year partners for students who plan a BSN afterward.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects SOWELA’s Nursing (RN), LPN to RN, and Practical Nursing pages and the School of Nursing & Allied Health hub. SOWELA does not award a BSN or MSN on campus—this is a community-college pre-licensure portfolio only (with transfer pathways described on SOWELA’s transfer page).
Pre-licensure (RN and LPN)
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) — “Nursing (RN)”
71 semester credits (1,605 clock hours) with prerequisites and five nursing semesters at the Lake Charles main campus. Students apply to Pre-nursing first, then submit a clinical application packet. SOWELA lists ACEN continuing accreditation and LSBN full approval (2024) on the program page. Graduates qualify for NCLEX-RN.
Practical Nursing (Technical Diploma or AAS)
62-credit technical diploma or 77-credit AAS pathway; cohort model with sites including Lake Charles, Jennings, Lamar Salter, Oakdale, and Morgan Smith. Prepares for NCLEX-PN under LSBPNE rules; progression requires 80%+ in coursework per SOWELA’s Practical Nursing page.
LPN-to-RN (ASN)
For Louisiana-licensed LPNs with IV therapy certification: summer start at Lake Charles or Lamar Salter (Leesville). SOWELA’s requirements list TEAS VII 64%, ATI RN Fundamentals Level II ≥ 65.5%, and 2.8+ prerequisite GPA—see the admission requirements checklist. Credential: ASN.
SOWELA does not list BSN, MSN, or DNP nursing degrees. If a campus cohort or curriculum credit total changes, follow the official program pages and catalog—not third-party directories.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
SOWELA publishes Student Achievement tables on its Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing pages. For the ASN program, the Nursing (RN) table lists total ASN NCLEX passage of 95.7% for the 2024 graduation year and 93.3% on the May 2025 row, with separate columns for traditional ASN and LPN-to-RN (for example, May 2025 shows 97.14% traditional and 80% LPN-to-RN in the same table). These figures are school-reported—confirm cohort definitions with SOWELA.
For regulatory verification, use the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (RN) and LSBPNE (PN) publications. The Practical Nursing page lists term-by-term PN NCLEX passage by site (for example, May 2025 shows school-reported rates by site—see the table).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN passage — total ASN (SOWELA-reported) | 95.7% (2024 graduation year); 93.3% (May 2025 row) per Nursing (RN) Student Achievement table |
| NCLEX-PN (SOWELA-reported snapshot) | See Practical Nursing page table by term/site (e.g., May 2025 row)—confirm methodology with SOWELA and LSBPNE |
| Source | SOWELA — Nursing (RN); SOWELA — Practical Nursing; LSBN; LSBPNE. Confirm current cohorts with SOWELA and the boards. |
Pass rates change by cohort, track, and campus. Always confirm the latest outcomes with SOWELA’s program pages and the Louisiana nursing boards.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
SOWELA participates in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System; international applicants should review International Students and Enrollment materials. Nursing adds clinical clearance, background checks, and LSBN/LSBPNE rules. This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS or other scores if required for admission.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Official transcripts and any evaluator the college mandates.
- Louisiana boards: LSBN (RN) or LSBPNE (PN) for licensure and exam eligibility.
- Immigration & visa: Pre-licensure nursing requires in-person labs and clinicals—confirm F-1 or other status with the college and an immigration advisor.
Verify policies with SOWELA Enrollment Services, the School of Nursing & Allied Health, and the relevant board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
SOWELA nursing pathways are selective—general college admission does not guarantee a seat in clinical nursing courses. The Admission Requirements page publishes detailed checklists for ASN clinical entry, LPN-to-RN, and Practical Nursing (including TEAS VII at 64% nationally ranked score for ASN and LPN-to-RN, ATI RN Fundamentals Level II rules for LPN-to-RN, and ACT/Accuplacer thresholds for PN). Meeting posted minimums still does not guarantee selection.
Application timeline (per SOWELA admission requirements)
| Program | Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASN (traditional clinical) | Packets available February; due March 31 (fall) or August 31 (spring)—Friday before if weekend/holiday | Must be a SOWELA student attending classes before clinical application. |
| LPN-to-RN | Applications February; due March 31 for summer start | Requires LA LPN license, IV certification, TEAS, and ATI Fundamentals per checklist. |
| Practical Nursing | Bring required documents to the PN department at your chosen campus for the next cohort list—see Practical Nursing page for site-specific fall starts | ACT 20 Reading / 17 English / 18 Math or NG Accuplacer minimums in the published table. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| GPA (ASN traditional) | Minimum 2.8 in all non-nursing courses required for the degree; only one repeat allowed for W/D/F in prerequisites per SOWELA checklist |
| GPA (LPN-to-RN) | Minimum 2.8 in all prerequisite and co-requisite courses for the degree |
| TEAS VII | 64% nationally ranked score for ASN and LPN-to-RN; must be taken at SOWELA or another established testing center (no online/proctored scores per requirements) |
| Practical Nursing placement | ACT or Next-Generation Accuplacer minimums in the published table; see Practical Nursing admission section |
Honest tip: After acceptance, SOWELA routes ASN students through the LSBN portal for clinical clearance—complete board steps promptly to avoid losing a seat.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come directly from SOWELA’s FY 2025–2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule (PDF) on Student Accounts. Nursing students pay the same tuition and mandatory fee structure as other programs unless a course-specific lab or testing fee applies—confirm your LoLA statement each term.
| Category | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition — base per credit (2025–2026 schedule) | $133.93 per credit hour before GRAD Act adjustment |
| Tuition + GRAD Act adjustment (1 credit row) | $138.96 combined tuition and GRAD Act line for one credit hour |
| Example semester total — 12 credits | $2,152.52 “Total Due” on the 12-credit row including tuition, board-assessed fees, technology, student activity, college, and access fees per PDF table |
| Summer access fee note | PDF states $30 access fee for summer terms (vs. $60 in the standard table shown) |
| Online registration | $40 per semester when enrolled in one or more online courses (additional to other fees) |
| Non-resident / other bands | See full PDF for non-resident or specialized rate rows if applicable to you. |
| Books, housing, transportation | Not itemized on the tuition PDF—budget separately or use SOWELA financial aid resources. |
| Source | SOWELA FY 2025–2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule (PDF); Financial Aid (look up current FAFSA school code in LoLA/official lists) |
For program length context: the traditional ASN curriculum shown on the Nursing (RN) page totals 71 credits; Practical Nursing lists 62 credits (diploma) or 77 credits (AAS)—multiply charges only as a rough planning tool; your bill depends on actual registration, fees, and any developmental coursework.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use SOWELA’s program-page Student Achievement tables for licensure exam passage and completion rates, then confirm employment or salary claims only when the school publishes a methodology and year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN — total ASN (school-reported) | 95.7% (2024 graduation year); 93.3% (May 2025 row) per Nursing (RN) table |
| Program completion (example) | Nursing (RN) table lists completion percentages by year/track—see SOWELA page for May 2025 and prior years |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed for this guide—ask SOWELA Career Services for graduate employment surveys if available. |
| Source | SOWELA — Nursing (RN); Practical Nursing. Confirm current data with SOWELA and Louisiana boards. |
Is Sowela Technical Community College the Right Fit for You?
SOWELA fits students who want an affordable LCTCS pathway into RN or LPN practice in southwest Louisiana, can meet TEAS-based selective admission, and will commute among Lake Charles-area sites (or Lamar Salter for some tracks). It is not a four-year BSN program—plan articulation or transfer if you need a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want school-published NCLEX passage tables for ASN and PN tracks alongside ACEN/LSBN or LSBPNE oversight.
- Prefer training near Lake Charles, Jennings, Leesville, Oakdale, or Morgan Smith depending on program.
- Are licensed Louisiana LPNs with IV certification targeting the summer LPN-to-RN cohort.
- Need a downloadable LCTCS tuition PDF for semester budgeting.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect an on-campus BSN—SOWELA awards ASN or Practical Nursing credentials only at this level.
- Cannot attend in-person labs, clinicals, and mandated testing at SOWELA-approved sites.
- Need guaranteed admission after meeting minimum GPA/TEAS—SOWELA states faculty decisions are final with no appeals for ASN selection.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Lake Charles and the broader Calcasieu Parish / southwest Louisiana region anchor community hospitals, specialty clinics, long-term care, and referral traffic along the Gulf Coast energy corridor. Major names students may encounter in regional healthcare include Christus Ochsner Health Southwestern Louisiana, Lake Charles Memorial Health System, and W.O. Moss Regional Medical Center in Jennings—exact clinical assignments rotate by semester and program.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Acute care | Regional hospitals support med-surg, ED, perioperative, and women’s health experiences typical of ASN clinical rotations (assignments vary). |
| Rural & community sites | Instructional sites in Leesville, Oakdale, and Morgan Smith align PN and some clinical access with smaller community providers and LTC settings. |
| Next step | Ask the School of Nursing & Allied Health for the current contracted agency list—sites change with clinical contracts. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Traditional ASN coursework runs at the Lake Charles main campus Nursing & Allied Health building; Practical Nursing and LPN-to-RN add sites such as Jennings, Lamar Salter, Oakdale, and Morgan Smith—plan commuting if you cohort outside Lake Charles. SOWELA highlights cohort-based progression, skills labs, and supervised clinicals described on each program page.
Student organizations and broader campus life are listed under Student Organizations; nursing schedules often limit outside work hours during clinical semesters.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- School of Nursing & Allied Health
- Sowela Technical Community College
- Main campus address
- 3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Ave., Lake Charles, LA 70615, US (per SOWELA consumer information)
- Enrollment Services
- (337) 421-6550 or (337) 421-6545
- Dean (SoNAH)
- Listed on program pages as Kristine Stout, MSN, RN — confirm current contacts on nah/
- Website
- sowela.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Nursing (RN) curriculum table and map prerequisites to your transcripts.
- Open the admission requirements checklist for your pathway (ASN, LPN-RN, or PN).
- Schedule TEAS VII through ATI and the SOWELA Testing Center if you are applying for ASN or LPN-to-RN.
- Download the tuition PDF and model a 12-credit semester in LoLA.
- Submit FAFSA and monitor LoLA for holds and awards.
- Review LSBN clinical-student expectations if you pursue ASN.
- Complete the Nursing Application Request Form when you are ready for a clinical packet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Sowela Technical Community College offer?
SOWELA lists a 71-credit ASN for traditional RN students, an LPN-to-RN ASN track, and Practical Nursing (technical diploma or AAS) at multiple instructional sites—see the School of Nursing & Allied Health program pages.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for SOWELA’s ASN programs (school-reported)?
The Nursing (RN) Student Achievement table shows total ASN NCLEX passage of 95.7% for the 2024 graduation year and 93.3% on the May 2025 row, with separate columns for traditional and LPN-to-RN tracks. Confirm current cohorts with SOWELA and the LSBN.
How much is tuition at Sowela Technical Community College?
The FY 2025–2026 tuition PDF lists $133.93 base tuition per credit, $138.96 tuition plus GRAD Act line for one credit, and $2,152.52 total due for 12 credits including fees—see the official PDF on Student Accounts.
What GPA and TEAS scores does SOWELA require for ASN?
SOWELA’s checklist lists 2.8+ GPA in required non-nursing courses, grades of C or better in key science/math courses, and TEAS VII at 64% nationally ranked score. Meeting minimums does not guarantee admission.
When are SOWELA nursing clinical applications due?
Traditional ASN clinical applications are due March 31 (fall) and August 31 (spring); LPN-to-RN applications are due March 31 for summer start—if the date falls on a weekend, the prior Friday applies.
Where is SOWELA Practical Nursing offered?
The Practical Nursing page lists cohorts at Lake Charles, Jennings, Lamar Salter, Oakdale, and Morgan Smith with staggered fall starts—confirm the next open site with the program office.
Is SOWELA’s ASN accredited?
SOWELA states ACEN continuing accreditation and LSBN full approval (2024) on the Nursing (RN) page—verify before enrollment.
Does Sowela offer a BSN degree?
No—SOWELA awards ASN or Practical Nursing credentials at the undergraduate level. Use the college’s transfer agreements if you plan to complete a BSN elsewhere.
What tests does SOWELA’s LPN-to-RN track require?
The admission checklist requires TEAS VII 64%, then ATI RN Fundamentals Level II ≥ 65.5%, plus Louisiana LPN licensure and IV certification—see the full document list on the admission requirements page.
References
- SOWELA — School of Nursing & Allied Healthhttps://www.sowela.edu/programs/nah/
- SOWELA — Nursing (RN) / ASNhttps://www.sowela.edu/programs/nah/nursing-rn/
- SOWELA — LPN to RNhttps://www.sowela.edu/programs/nah/lpn/
- SOWELA — Practical Nursinghttps://www.sowela.edu/programs/nah/practical-nursing/
- SOWELA — Admission Requirements (nursing checklists)https://www.sowela.edu/admissions/requirements/
- SOWELA — FY 2025–2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule (PDF)Tuition PDF
- SOWELA — Student Accountshttps://www.sowela.edu/admissions/student-accounts/
- Louisiana State Board of Nursinghttps://www.lsbn.state.la.us/
- Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examinershttps://www.lsbpne.com/
- 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 SOWELA’s Student Achievement tables on the Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing pages, tuition lines with SOWELA’s FY 2025–2026 tuition PDF, and admissions requirements with the published nursing checklists.
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 (and LSBPNE for practical nursing) as applicable.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy