The first thing the comes to mind when most people think of Louisiana is New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Louisiana is well known for its vibrant celebrations and carefree lifestyle. But there is much more to Louisiana than fun and festivities. It is also known for its unique mix of Creole and Cajun cultural, rich heritage, diverse music, sporting events, exquisite foods and more.
In 2005, the state was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, causing many fatalities and injuries. At the time the state was already experiencing a nursing shortage, which worsened following the hurricane. With a statewide population of just over 4.5 million, the demand for healthcare services seems never-ending. Qualified healthcare professionals are in high demand and there is a particularly high demand for qualified nurses. In fact, many employers, including hospitals, offer signing bonuses and other incentives to attract nurses.
Search Louisiana Nursing Schools
Some of the top employers of nurses in Lousiana include CHRISTUS Schumpert Saint Mary Place, Willis-Knighton Medical Center, Saint Francis Medical Center, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.
If you’re interested in working as a nurse in Louisiana, you’ll need to earn a diploma, associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing. While many students opt for a diploma, since it’s the easiest to obtain, more students pursue the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), with the latter being the most popular. Earning a diploma will qualify you to become a licensed practical nursing (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). An LPN will allow you to qualify for entry-level nursing and nurse support positions at hospitals and healthcare facilities. However, most employers are looking for registered nurses (RNs). To become an RN you’ll need to earn your ADN or BSN. While either degree will do, the BSN provides for much greater career advancement opportunities and is the degree of choice among employers.
Browse Louisiana Nursing Schools:
There are 37 colleges and universities in Louisiana that offer nursing degree programs of varying degree levels. Explore nursing schools below.
Baton Rouge Community College
Student Enrollment: 7,297
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate
Bossier Parish Community College
Student Enrollment: 6,714
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate
Capital Area Technical College
Student Enrollment: 1,202
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Student Enrollment: 2,052
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Compass Career College
Student Enrollment: 206
Type of School: < 2-year, Private for-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Delgado Community College
Student Enrollment: 15,110
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate, Associate
Delta College Inc
Student Enrollment: 198
Type of School: < 2-year, Private for-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Delta College of Arts & Technology
Student Enrollment: 280
Type of School: 2-year, Private for-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Delta College of Arts & Technology-Lafayette Campus
Student Enrollment: 219
Type of School: < 2-year, Private for-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Dillard University
Student Enrollment: 1,261
Type of School: 4-year, Private non-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's
Fletcher Technical Community College
Student Enrollment: 2,063
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate, Associate
Grambling State University
Student Enrollment: 4,863
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's
Healthcare Training Institute
Student Enrollment: 46
Type of School: 2-year, Private for-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Infinity College
Student Enrollment: 306
Type of School: < 2-year, Private for-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Louisiana College
Student Enrollment: 1,093
Type of School: 4-year, Private non-profit
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's
Louisiana Delta Community College
Student Enrollment: 3,242
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate, Associate
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Student Enrollment: 3,276
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate, Bachelor's
Louisiana State University-Eunice
Student Enrollment: 2,906
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate
Louisiana Tech University
Student Enrollment: 12,672
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate
Loyola University New Orleans
Student Enrollment: 3,679
Type of School: 4-year, Private non-profit
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate
McNeese State University
Student Enrollment: 7,621
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate, Bachelor's, Master's
Nicholls State University
Student Enrollment: 6,255
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's
Northshore Technical Community College
Student Enrollment: 3,839
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Northwest Louisiana Technical College
Student Enrollment: 1,972
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Student Enrollment: 9,819
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate
Nunez Community College
Student Enrollment: 2,586
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
Our Lady of the Lake College
Student Enrollment: 1,409
Type of School: 4-year, Private non-profit
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate, Bachelor's, Master's
River Parishes Community College
Student Enrollment: 1,980
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
South Central Louisiana Technical College
Student Enrollment: 2,176
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
South Louisiana Community College
Student Enrollment: 6,396
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate, Associate
Southeastern Louisiana University
Student Enrollment: 14,483
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate
Southern University and A & M College
Student Enrollment: 5,877
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate
Southern University at Shreveport
Student Enrollment: 3,240
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Associate
SOWELA Technical Community College
Student Enrollment: 3,241
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: No
Nursing Degree Levels: Certificate
University of Holy Cross
Student Enrollment: 1,040
Type of School: 4-year, Private non-profit
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Student Enrollment: 17,519
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Student Enrollment: 9,038
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Online Nursing Programs: Yes
Nursing Degree Levels: Bachelor's, Master's