[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Louisiana has one of the highest National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates and an increased demand for nurses. Both prospective and current nurses can benefit from earning a degree through a nursing school in Louisiana.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The state hosts a bustling healthcare community with high-ranking academic institutions, such as Louisiana State University and Southern University and AandM College, and one of the top hospitals in Ochsner Medical Center.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide provides an overview of becoming a nurse in Louisiana, the salary and job outlook, and the best nursing programs in the state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep reading to learn more about the top nursing schools and programs in Louisiana.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about the top nursing schools in Louisiana and discover the programs in the state that can provide the best options for prospective nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Our Methodology[/hen-ui-text]: We use a [hen-ui-link href=”/methodology/”]data-driven methodology[/hen-ui-link] to rank the best nursing schools in Louisiana, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Choose a Nursing Program in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective nurses need to consider various factors before choosing the nursing program that works best for them. To help narrow down their options, applicants should review a program’s admission requirements and reputation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Researching the cost of tuition, program length, and [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]financial aid options for nurses[/hen-ui-link] can help students determine their best option. It is also crucial to review the school’s success in preparing its students, which can be determined by researching their [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]NCLEX passing rates[/hen-ui-link] and verifying [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]nursing program accreditation[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective registered nurses (RNs) looking for programs that can successfully prepare them for the field need to look no further than Louisiana. In 2020, almost 93% of students in the state passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses interested in working in Louisiana can also benefit from Louisiana’s membership in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). As a[hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-compact-states/”]nursing compact state[/hen-ui-link], Louisiana, along with 36 other states, has agreed to a set of rules and procedures that all licensed RNs must follow. The NLC makes it easier for RNs who have a license in another state to practice in Louisiana with minimal paperwork.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses with an NLC license also do not have to pay license renewal fees and can provide [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/telehealth-nurse/”]telehealth nursing[/hen-ui-link] care to patients across state lines.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs and [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] (APRNs) do not earn as much as in other states, ranking 38th and 26th, respectively. However, these professionals benefit from a lower cost of living, which is below the national average. The average salary can stretch further in Louisiana than it can for nurses who might earn more but live in a state with a higher cost of living. Learn more about RN salaries in Louisiana.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The[hen-ui-link href=”http://lcn.lsbn.state.la.us/Portals/0/Documents/Louisiana%202019%20Forecast%20Model%20Project%20Overview.pdf” target=”_blank”]Louisiana Center for Nursing[/hen-ui-link] projects a steadily increasing [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/why-is-there-a-nursing-shortage//”]nursing shortage[/hen-ui-link] from 2019-2025, with over 7,200 positions expected to go unfulfilled.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Louisiana[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top Paying Metropolitan Areas[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Salary for RNs[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]New Orleans — Metairie[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$70,930[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Hammond[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$68,830[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Alexandria[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$67,680[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Houma — Thibodaux[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$66,940[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Monroe[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top Paying Metropolitan Areas”]$65,650[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]Source: BLS[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become licensed in Louisiana, prospective RNs need a nursing diploma, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree from a program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. After completing their program, students must pass the NCLEX-RN exam before applying to the state for licensure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective APRNs must already possess an [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/”]RN state license[/hen-ui-link] and an advanced degree in nursing before applying for state licensure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both RNs and APRNs are obligated to satisfy [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nurses-continuing-education-guide/”]continuing education requirements for nurses[/hen-ui-link] to maintain their license and continue working as a nurse in the state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em;”]Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Louisiana[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become an RN in Louisiana?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The fastest way to become an RN in Louisiana is by earning a nursing diploma, which takes one year to complete. However, if prospective nurses want more professional opportunities and a higher earning potential, they should pursue either a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The length of time it takes to finish each program increases if the student can only complete courses part time.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do I transfer my nursing license to Louisiana?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses who earned their license in a non-NLC state must apply through endorsement. Through this process, RNs can only practice in the state that issued the license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses who earned a license in an NLC state can apply for a multistate license, which allows them to practice in Louisiana and all other nursing compact states.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is LSU a good nursing school?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Louisiana State University provides a high-quality nursing program, evidenced by their average NCLEX-RN pass rate, which has exceeded 95% over the last decade. The program’s scores are significantly above the national average. LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing has also been recognized as a Center for Excellence by the National League for Nursing.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What HBCU has the best nursing program in Louisiana?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As one of the top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) in Louisiana, Southern University and AandM College offers affordable in-state tuition, along with an NCLEX pass rate of almost 90%. The school provides students with the opportunity to earn their BSN, MSN, or DNP.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Find Nursing Programs in Other States[/hen-ui-heading]