Nursing, BSN

Admission Process

The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing participates in a Centralized Application Service for Nursing Programs (NursingCAS).  Applicants applying to the BSN program must apply online using the NursingCAS application.  For more information, please visit www.nursingcas.org.

1. Admission to the baccalaureate program is very competitive.
2. Meeting the minimum academic requirements DOES NOT guarantee admission to the School of Nursing.
3. All applicants accepting admission are required to attend new student and level orientation.
4. Additional information may be found on the School of Nursing website: http://nursing.lsuhsc.edu

Admissions, Progression, and Graduation (AP&G) members admit classes each Fall and Spring for Traditional BSN concentration. The RN to BSN concentration admits in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The CARE concentration admits only in the Fall.

AP&G members will only review eligible application packets.  Packets must include all of the following:

1. Completed application form
2. Application fee
3. Official transcripts from every college or university attended

The AP&G admission decision will be sent in writing to all applicants no later than mid-May for the Fall semester admission or mid-November for the Spring semester admission.

Types of Admission

Unconditional Admission: granted to applicants who meet all requirements for admission to the program.

Probationary Admission: granted to applicants not meeting all admission criteria; the applicant shows promise for success based on the applicant’s merits.

Provisional Admission: granted to applicants unable to submit the required credentials by the deadline. Students granted provisional admission must submit credentials within 30 days of the first day of class.

BSN Admission Requirements

1. All applicants accepting admission are required to attend new student and level orientation.
2. Additional information may be found on the School of Nursing website: http://nursing.lsuhsc.edu

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening Policy

The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) requires a criminal background check on all traditional and CARE BSN students accepted into the BSN program. Background information and fingerprint cards must be completed and submitted to LSBN within the first month of enrollment. Depending on the results of the screening, LSBN determines if the student is allowed to enter the first clinical nursing course or if specific conditions are necessary for progression in the curriculum. Information on completing the requirements will be given to students after admission.

RN to BSN students are approved by LSBN for initial licensure and annual licensure renewal.

Level 1 background check (different from the LSBN criminal background check) and urine drug screen are admission requirements.  The purpose of obtaining the background check and urine drug screen is to protect the public. Students are responsible for the background check and urine drug screen fees. Background checks and urine drug screens are ordered through CastleBranch.

The School of Nursing conducts random drug screenings. Students are responsible for any/all random drug screening fees.

Alternatives to Fulfilling Curriculum Requirements

Advanced Standing, Accelerated Program (AP), and College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

A student who has competency and educational/experiential preparation may be permitted to take advanced standing examinations in specific courses, which, if passed with satisfactory grades, will enable the student to receive degree credit. Credit awarded by a university for advanced standing will receive a pass credit (P). A total of nine (9) pass credit hours will be recognized. A student may receive up to nine hours accelerated program (AP) and/or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) course work. This credit cannot be used to reduce the minimum residence requirement. A student may not take an advanced standing examination in a course, which the student has audited, nor in which a grade has been earned. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

Nursing Courses

A student expecting to challenge courses for advanced placement must contact the appropriate program director within eight weeks prior to the next registration date. Nursing courses must be challenged and completed prior to the time of registration.

To obtain credit for courses challenged:

1. Admitted to the LSUHNO School of Nursing
2. Have good academic standing
3. Minimal GPA of 2.0
4. Obtain permission from the Dean, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, or the Program Director
5. Submit a fee of $100 per credit hour for courses with a clinical challenge component; $50 per credit hour for courses without a clinical challenge component

Faculty member responsibilities:

1. Administers the challenge exam
2. Reports the challenge examination grade to the Office of Student Affairs

Students are responsible for all course content whether transferred, challenged, or waived.

Transfer Credit

Transcripts are required for all colleges or universities attended. Credits earned five or more years prior to transfer request are subject to reevaluation.

Transcripts are evaluated by the appropriate Program Director. Courses considered for transfer credit from colleges or universities outside the LSU System must have a grade of C or better. Any course attempted more than two times, as documented on official transcript, will not be counted for credit.

After students have earned half of the degree requirements, the Dean must approve any additional credits earned outside the LSU System.

If the School of Nursing or the LSU System offers a course, the student must take the course within the LSU System

Correspondence Courses

1. Only Sophomore I or II students are allowed to take correspondence courses.
2. Course(s) must be taken in the LSU System.
3. Student must meet with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Nursing Programs for approval and completion of enrollment paperwork.
4. Students are responsible for providing an official transcript with the grade received to the Office of Student Affairs no later than six (6) weeks after completion of the course and prior to graduation.

Policy and Procedure for Petitions

Students may petition to alter the plan of study:

1. Substitution of one course for another course where sufficient evidence is present that the course being substituted meets the intent of the required course
2. Alteration in admission, progression, or graduation requirements
3. Request a challenge exam, correspondence course, or transfer credit
4. Transfer from one concentration to another
5. Readmission for students within two semesters of discontinued date

The program director must review and sign the petition. The completed petition is returned to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).  The Admission, Graduation, and Progression (AP&G) committee will act on the petition and send a written response to the student. All petitions must be submitted to AP&G no later than one month prior to registration in order for to be effective for registration.

Full Time Study

Full-time enrollment is twelve hours during a regular academic semester and six hours for the summer semester. Credit hours to clinical ratio for BSN 3:1.

Scholarships

Several scholarship funds are available for eligible candidates. Students must meet the specific scholarship criteria. The OSA and LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans Student Financial Aid Office (LSUHSC-NO SFAO) provides scholarship information and contact sources. Students should direct scholarship inquiries to the OSA and LSUHSC-NO SFAO for initiation and/or processing of the scholarship application.

Jo Ellen Smith Scholarship - The Jo Ellen Smith Foundation awards scholarships on a competitive basis. Students must complete a formal application for scholarship funds. Applications forms are available in the Office of the Assistant Dean for Student Services and the New Orleans Foundation website.

The Suzanne Theriot Scholarship Fund - Friends and family of the late Suzanne Theriot have made contributions to the LSUHSC Foundation to establish a scholarship in her memory. The amount of the annual award will not exceed the yearly earnings of the Fund. This scholarship will be awarded to a baccalaureate nursing student who exhibits high scholastic potential and who is in need of financial assistance as funds become available.

The T.H. Harris Scholarship - Available to full time students who earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and had a scholarship award on a previous campus, for the two semesters of the Freshman year. Students who earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 every semester thereafter may continue the scholarship, for a total of four years, as long as they maintain full time status.

The LSUHSC Nursing Alumni Scholarship - Awarded to a final year nursing student with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and based on financial need.

The Lori Norton Scholarship- Friends and Family of the late Lori Norton have made contributions to the LSUHSC Foundation to establish a scholarship in her memory. The amount of the annual award will not exceed the yearly earnings of the fund. This scholarship will be awarded to an entering baccalaureate nursing student with a GPA of 3.0 or above and exhibits a need for financial assistance (currently not receiving any grant funding).

The Laura Ryan Endowment Scholarship - The family of the late Laura Ryan has established a endowment fund with the LSUHSC Foundation to establish a scholarship in her memory. The amount of the annual award will not exceed the yearly earnings of the fund. This scholarship will be awarded to an entering baccalaureate nursing student with a GPA of 3.0 or above and exhibits a need for financial assistance (currently not receiving any grant funding).

Nursing School Scholars Scholarship - Provides scholarship assistance to an entering baccalaureate nursing student with a GPA of 3.0 or above and exhibits a need for financial assistance (currently not receiving any grant funding). The amount of the annual award will not exceed the yearly earnings of the fund.

Sandra W. Northup, R.N. Memorial Scholarship - Provides scholarship assistance to an entering nursing student who has financial need as funds become available.

The Jenni Haston, RN Memorial Scholarship - Must have senior standing during academic year, in academic good standing, and intend to focus on behavioral health nursing or nursing care.

Tuition Opportunity Programs For Students - Available to graduating high school students with a 2.5 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 20. Students must have taken a TOPS core curriculum.

The Air Force, Army, and Navy ROTC Nursing Programs - A comprehensive program of studies through which a student can qualify to be commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, Army or Navy, the National Guard or the Reserve is available to students in the baccalaureate program. These scholarship programs provide a variety of funding support: tuition, fees, textbooks, and subsistence. Admission is conditional on meeting academic, physical and age requirements as well as approval from the branch of service selected. Physical training is an integral part of the ROTC Program. For further information about the Army, Air Force or Navy ROTC Programs offered to LSUHSC School of Nursing students, contact the appropriate ROTC office-Air Force (504) 865-5394; Army (504) 865-5594; Navy (504) 865-5104.

Baccalaureate Scholastic Requirements

The value of each course and graduation requirements are stated in terms of semester hours.  One credit hour represents one hour of class per week. Each laboratory course represents two hours per week per one credit hour. Each practicum course represents three hours per week per one credit hour.

Grading Policy

1. “A”, “B”, or “C” is earned for satisfactory work. “D” or “F” is earned for unsatisfactory work. Numerical grades are not rounded.

   A = 93-100
   B = 85-92
   C = 77-84
   D = 65-76
   F = 0-64

2. “W” (withdrawal) is issued for withdrawing from a course after the first 14 days of class.
3. “F” is earned for withdrawing after the specified “Drop/Withdrawal” deadline.
4. “D” or “F” earned in a supporting or nursing course must be repeated in the LSU System.
5. A minimum grade of “77 = C” is required in all nursing courses for progression.
6. Incomplete coursework results in an “I”.  An “I” is earned for extenuating circumstances; the Dean must approve. If not approved, an “F” is earned.  The student must initiate the request.  ”I” grades are converted to “F” if not removed prior to the deadline published in the Academic Calendar. The “I” is converted to a letter grade once the course is completed.
7. All unsafe and/or incompetent behavior must follow the process:

   Instructors:

   1. Discussion with student
   2. Written statement to course coordinator
   3. Course coordinator will discuss with Program Director

Students:

1. Referred for a formal evaluation and treatment
2. Required to repeat the course to progress in the curriculum and/or administratively withdrawn from the program

Requirements

Students must meet the following program specific degree requirements.

1. Satisfactory completion of 120 semester hours as specified in the curriculum Completion of end of course evaluations, exit survey, and all compliance training.
2. Fulfillment of the required 60 semester hours of upper division credit designated by 3000-4000 level courses.
3. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (on all college work attempted and all work attempted at the LSU Health Sciences Center) with no grade in pre-nursing, supporting or nursing courses below C.
4. In residence for a minimum of 30 semester hours. The last 30 hours must be completed in residence.
5. Approval by the Admissions, Progression and Graduation (AP&G) committee and given recommendation by the faculty of the School of Nursing.
6. Attendance at rehearsal, pre-commencement and commencement unless specifically excused by the Dean.
7. Completion of end of course evaluations, exit survey, and all components of compliance training.
8. Verification that all materials belonging to the Health Sciences Center and cooperating agencies have been returned through the proper procedures. All indebtedness to the University must be satisfied before a diploma may be issued. These materials would include but not limited to, items such as library books, equipment, keys, furniture or any outstanding, unpaid balances due.
9. A candidate must contact the Office of Student Affairs to have academic records evaluated for compliance with degree requirements. This request should be accomplished at the beginning of the semester prior to the semester in which the degree is to be awarded.
10. Each candidate must make an application for degree during the final semester in residence (no later than 8 weeks prior to graduation), stating the exact name which is to appear on the diploma.

Degrees with Honors

Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are awarded summa cum laude to students whose grade point averages fall within the range of 3.960 to 4.000, magna cum laude to students whose grade point averages fall within the range of 3.860 to 3.959, and cum laude to students whose grade point averages fall within the range of 3.760 to 3.859 (LSU System GPA).

In determining eligibility for degrees awarded summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude, at least 75 percent of the credits required for graduation in the particular curriculum of the candidate must have been earned in the LSU System. Only credits earned in the LSU System shall be used in calculating qualification.

Additional Expenses

1. Advanced standing examination fee.
2. Uniforms (~$150.00 for Traditional and CARE programs, $40 for RNBSN program).
3. Purchase of a wristwatch with second hand, stethoscope, scissors, penlight, protective goggles, and hemostat for Traditional and CARE programs.
4. Books and school supplies (~ $4,000.00 for Traditional and CARE programs, $1000 for RNBSN program).
5. Standardized exam at the completion of each semester (~$615.00 one time fee for Traditional and CARE programs).
6. Public transportation is available to most hospitals, health agencies. Personal transportation is recommended. Transportation and related travel expenses are the responsibility of the student.
7. Computer system that is compatible with the LSUHSC computing equipment with a webcam
8. High level background check, (~ $80.00), urine drug screen (~$40.00), Malpractice Insurance (~$40.00), Immunization Tracker (~$40.00)
9. Titers for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B (depends on health insurance carrier).
10. Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD) annually or health screening if previous positive TB Skin test (depends on health insurance carrier).
11. Needlestick Insurance (~$18.02)
12. Supply bag (~360.00 for Traditional and CARE programs)
13. For graduating students, graduation fee ($25.00), cap and gown fee ($54.99), and nursing pin (approximately $60.00).
14. NCLEX-RN review course (~$350.00)
15. Expenses related to Application for Registered Nurse licensure - Fee for criminal record check ($46.25), NCLEX fee ($200.00), and Louisiana State fee (~$100.00 for Traditional and CARE programs).
16. LSBN application to enter clinical courses (~$90.75 for Traditional and CARE programs).
17. Random drug testing (~$40.00); additional fees apply for repeat testing.