How to Become a Registered Nurse in Louisiana

Louisiana map

As a nurse, it is your job to be willing to put in the hard work required to meet all your goals, as it can become very challenging to work in this field.

It is important for you, as a nurse, to be emotionally stable, especially during tough situations.

Remaining calm allows you to think straight and problem-solve as quickly as possible.

Registered nurses that possess these qualities make excellent carers in the healthcare industry.

You should have strong communication skills to help build trust between your patients and colleagues.

5 Registered Nurse Schools in Louisiana

The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) approves the following schools and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

1. Baton Rouge General Medical Center – School of Nursing

Baton Rouge General Medical Center - School of Nursing Logo

The Baton Rouge Nursing Centre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers a nursing program that is very focused on training nurses to become highly skilled, contributing members of the healthcare team with a focus on teaching up-to-date treatment techniques, patient-centered care methods, and using current technologies within the industry.

The Accreditation Commission accredits the program for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The school has graduated more than 1,000 nurses since its inception in 1984.

The school consistently achieves a high rating nationally for the pass rate on the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN).

Many graduate students have gone on to fill roles in advanced roles.

The course can be completed over three semesters, and students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), where they are only allowed three attempts.

Tuition for the entire program, including fees and expenses, is $26,057.

2. Baton Rouge Community College

Baton Rouge Community College Logo

Baton Rouge Community College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program.

The school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

After graduating, students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

The 72-credit-hour program may be completed over a five-semester period.

The program prepares students for an entry-level role with the required skills, knowledge, and competence to be successful in the profession.

Admission to the program is very competitive and selective.

Prospective students are required to obtain a minimum GPA of 2.80 and complete 16 credit hours of prerequisite courses.

In addition, students are expected to score above the minimum 75% in each area of the entrance exam.

Tuition and fees for in-state students, as of 2019, were $4,221, while out-of-state students in the same year paid $8,299 in tuition.

3. Louisiana Delta Community College

Louisiana Delta Community College Logo

Louisiana Delta Community College is a public college that offers an Associate Degree program in Nursing.

The school is located in Monroe, Louisiana.

The program curriculum follows a systematic structure based on Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

It enables students to acquire the required skills, knowledge, and expertise to be successful in this role in any clinical setting.

The Accreditation Commission accredits the nursing program for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The program comprises 37 credit hours of co-curriculum courseware combined with 33 credit hours of nursing program courseware to create a holistic curriculum covering all nursing areas.

After graduating, students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Tuition is calculated based on how many credit hours the student takes but starts at $209.96 per credit hour.

4. Delgado Community College

Delgado Community College Logo

Delgado Community College offers a 72-credit hour Associate Degree program in Nursing.

The school is situated in New Orleans, Louisiana.

After graduating, students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

The program and curriculum prepare students for an entry-level position in nursing by combining the art of healthcare with the science of nursing to teach the skills and knowledge that students need to progress in this field.

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who acts as a mentor for the student.

Students learn to be contributing members of a healthcare team, use leadership skills, and deliver healthcare services through sound clinical judgment.

Tuition per credit hour for in-state students is $196.96 and $348.86 for out-of-state students.

5. Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University Logo

Louisiana Tech University is a public school that offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program.

The program comprises 70 credit hours of study.

The school is located in Rusten, Louisiana.

After graduating, students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

The program strongly focuses on honing critical thinking skills through faculty-student interaction.

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has accredited this program.

This program ranks number one in the state for high-quality nursing programs.

Students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be successful in their respective careers as registered nurses.

Tuition for undergraduate students, including fees, is $1,013.00 per credit hour.

Registered Nurse Schools in Louisiana – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Louisiana

School NameAddress
Baton Rouge General Medical Center - School of Nursing3616 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Baton Rouge Community College201 Community College Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Louisiana Delta Community College7500 Millhaven Rd, Monroe, LA 71203
Delgado Community College615 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
Louisiana Tech University201 Mayfield Ave, Ruston, LA 71272

Salary

Registered nurses working in the capital city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are compensated based on their qualifications and years of experience.

The salary range for an RN, depending on the exact position in this city, is $55,221 to $99,042.

The salary will also depend on the facility that the RN is working in.

Annual Salary Range:
$57K
$63K
$72K

Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in Louisiana

City NameSalary
New Orleans$65,690
Shreveport$61,060
Baton Rouge$61,750
Lake Charles$60,180
Kenner$65,660
Bossier City$61,060
Monroe$60,740
Alexandria$58,840
New Iberia$60,660
Lafayette$61,010
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Louisiana

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Alexandria, LA1,980$75,580$36.34$94,640$54,200
Baton Rouge, LA6,930$77,440$37.23$95,690$58,280
Hammond, LA1,170$76,730$36.89$99,380$61,390
Houma-Thibodaux, LA1,150$75,200$36.15$93,970$53,080
Lafayette, LA2,900$78,120$37.56$98,210$57,600
Lake Charles, LA1,460$73,050$35.12$87,090$60,460
Monroe, LA1,840$75,710$36.4$87,420$58,730
New Orleans-Metairie, LA9,620$86,470$41.57$107,890$63,870
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA5,670$87,870$42.24$124,250$63,850
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Registered Nurses, OCC Code 29-1141, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be licensed in Louisiana to work as a registered nurse (RN)?

To answer this question shortly, yes.

You can NOT do work as an RN in Louisiana until you are issued your RN license by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN).

Is a registered nurse a promising career?

This is an excellent career path with excellent remuneration and growth opportunities.

Is there a demand for RNs in Louisiana?

Yes.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the growth for this position during the 2019 period and onwards was expected to be around 12%.

This means that the growth in this field is faster than that of the average job’s expected growth rate.

Is being an RN in Louisiana a stressful job?

Yes.

Reports indicate that nurses experience varying stress levels depending on the position and facility they work for.

This is a highly stressful job.

How long is a Louisiana RN license valid?

2 years.

After that, you need to renew your RN license before the expiration date to continue practicing in the nursing profession.

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