Northwestern State University BSN Nursing Reviews

Nursing program

• A four-year professional nursing education program in the Northwestern State University of Louisiana includes liberal arts education preparing graduates towards the start of a nursing practice in different of settings including community and school health, acute, and long-term care, and critical care.
• After the conclusion of three semesters of academic courses and admittance into clinical courses, students are required to complete five semesters of clinical courses on the Alexandria Rapides Regional Medical Center Campus or Shreveport campus.
• Graduates of the Program are qualified to take the national licensure examination, NCLEX-RN, after which graduates are eligible for employment in different healthcare settings.
• Graduates of the BSN Program may continue their education by getting a master’s or even doctoral degree. The Program is endorsed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing,

·        The RN to BSN program is intended to offer flexibility in fulfilling the needs of a practicing nurse. Traditional daytime classes are offered in Alexandria, and online classes are offered from Shreveport.

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About the school

• The Northwestern State University of Louisiana (abbreviated NSU) is primarily located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, United States, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Alexandria and Leesville/Fort Polk. It is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
• It is a four-year public university founded as the Louisiana State Normal School in1884.
• It is known as the first school in Louisiana to offer degree programs in business education and nursing. NSU gained university status in 1970 during the governance of President Arnold R. Kilpatrick an alumnus of the University.

Total estimated cost of attendance is approximately $35,302

Following are the minimum requirements for BSN Nursing Program. Minimum admission standards include:

SPECIAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY

1. An Application for Admission to the University with appropriate fee.
2. Official transcripts from all universities attended to the Office of Admissions, 175 Sam Sibley Street, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002 and to the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, 1800 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101-4653.
3. All freshman and transfer applicants with fewer than three credits in English composition and three credits in college mathematics beyond the developmental level must submit scores from the ACT assessment.

ENROLLMENT IN CLINICAL NURSING COURSES

Admission to the University does not guarantee enrollment in clinical nursing courses. Selection for enrollment in nursing courses is on a competitive basis for available spaces. Students must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered for selection for enrollment in clinical nursing courses:

1. Admission to the University and submission of all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions on the Natchitoches campus.
2. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.
3. A minimum grade of “C” in all required biology, chemistry, mathematics, and nursing courses.
4. Completion of pre-requisite general academic courses toward the degree. BSN Program – first three semesters of curriculum pattern (may be in the process of completing during the semester prior to applying for clinical nursing courses). NOTE: In order to be eligible for enrollment in NURB 3030 (Nursing as a Profession) and/or 3050 (Pathophysiology), students must have completed the courses in the first two semesters of the curriculum pattern AND either be enrolled or have already taken the general education courses in the 3rd semester of the curriculum pattern. Additionally, a minimum GPA of 2.7 in courses required for the BSN degree is required in order to be enrolled in NURB 3030 (Nursing as a Profession) and NURB 3050 (Pathophysiology) and the student must achieve the minimum (or higher) score on the entrance exam.
5. Minimum grade point average of 2.7 in all courses completed that are required for the degree excluding electives. The ASN and BSN program calculates GPA for clinical ranking using grades earned in required courses completed at the time of the application. Courses students are enrolled in at the time of the application are not used for ranking unless the course grade is available prior to the ranking process.
6. Completion of required entrance exams for nursing, achieving at least the minimum required score on the exam.
7. Completion of required entrance exam for nursing.
8. May have only one attempt per semester.
9. Achieve at least the minimum required score on the exam.
10. Maximum of two attempts allowed regardless of program (ASN/BSN)
11. Failure to earn the minimum required score within two attempts will result in the student being denied admission into clinical nursing courses in both the ASN and BSN programs for one calendar year from the date of the second attempt.
12. After one calendar year, the student may repeat the required entrance exam procedure as outlined above.
13. If student achieves the minimum required score, they may then apply for admission, as long as all other criteria is met.
14. Failure to earn the minimum required score at this time will result in the student being denied admission into clinical nursing courses in both the ASN and BSN programs for three calendar years.
15. Additional information may be found on the College of Nursing website.
16. Completion of an Application to Enroll in Clinical Nursing Courses form including:
17. Copy of scores on required entrance examinations for nursing.
18. Verification of licensure as a health care provider (if applicable).
19. Response to any Request for Waiver of Policy (if applicable).
20. Final order of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (if applicable).
21. Completion of required criteria and submission of completed Application to Enroll in Clinical Nursing Courses in the Office of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Nursing by CERTIFIED MAIL no later than the following deadlines:
22. Completion of required criteria and submission of completed Application to Enroll in Clinical Nursing Courses in the office of the ASN or BSN Program Director by CERTIFIED MAIL, no later than the following deadlines: • Fall enrollment –May 15th • Spring enrollment – August 15th
23. An application to enroll in clinical nursing courses is valid for one semester only. 10. No application to enroll in clinical nursing courses will be accepted after the designated deadlines.

Contact

Northwestern State University

Address: 175 Sam Sibley Dr Natchitoches, LA 71497

Telephone: 318.357.6011

Toll Free: 800.327.1903

Website: www.nsula.edu