Embarking on a nursing career at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health New Orleans School of Nursing is a significant step towards a rewarding and impactful profession. The School of Nursing provides a comprehensive “Care Program Lsu,” designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the healthcare field. Understanding the admission requirements is crucial for prospective students. This article outlines the key criteria for admission to the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing’s care program.
Essential Admission Criteria for the Care Program LSU
To be considered for admission to the esteemed Care Program LSU at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, applicants must fulfill several key requirements. These criteria are designed to ensure that admitted students are academically prepared and possess the necessary foundational knowledge for a rigorous nursing program.
1. Bachelor’s Degree Requirement
A fundamental prerequisite for admission is the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must have successfully earned their bachelor’s degree by the application deadline. However, the School of Nursing understands that degree conferral timelines can vary. Therefore, provisional admission may be offered to candidates whose degree will be officially conferred in the semester immediately following the application deadline. This allows promising students who are in the final stages of their undergraduate education to apply and potentially secure their place in the program.
2. Pre-requisite Coursework: Building a Strong Academic Foundation
The Care Program LSU mandates a robust foundation in relevant scientific and academic disciplines. Applicants are required to complete 43 hours of specific pre-requisite coursework. Within these prerequisites, certain science courses are deemed critical and necessitate a higher level of achievement. Specifically, Biology Lecture, Biology Lab, Microbiology, and Physical Science courses must be completed with a grade of B or better.
All pre-requisite coursework must be completed, and final grades must be officially documented on transcripts at the time of the application deadline. Recognizing the diverse academic paths students may take, the School of Nursing may grant provisional admission to applicants who have no more than 12 outstanding prerequisite hours remaining. However, it is imperative to note that all outstanding prerequisite courses must be successfully completed before a student can officially begin their studies at LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing. For a detailed list of all required pre-requisite courses, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the Curriculum page A listing of all pre-requisite courses is available on the Curriculum page..
Furthermore, LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans School of Nursing acknowledges and values advanced placement and college-level equivalency programs. The school will recognize up to a combined maximum of nine (9) credit hours earned through Accelerated Program (AP) and CLEP coursework. To receive credit, official AP and/or CLEP transcripts must be sent directly to the School of Nursing. These advanced standing credits, up to the nine-hour limit, will be recognized if they have been officially granted by the applicant’s previous college or university.
3. Grade Point Average (GPA) Criteria: Demonstrating Academic Excellence
Academic performance is a significant factor in the admission process. Applicants must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all prerequisite coursework. This GPA requirement reflects the academic rigor of the nursing program and the necessity for students to possess a strong academic record.
In terms of individual course grades, a grade of C or better is required in all non-science prerequisite courses. For the core science prerequisite courses—Biology Lecture, Biology Lab, Microbiology, and Physical Science—a grade of B or better is mandatory. These higher grade requirements in science courses underscore the importance of a strong scientific understanding for nursing practice.
The School of Nursing also has a policy regarding repeated coursework. If an applicant receives a grade of D or F in a pre-requisite course, they are permitted to repeat the course one (1) time only. However, failure to achieve a passing grade (C or better for non-science, B or better for science prerequisites) after the second attempt in any pre-requisite course will render an applicant ineligible for admission to the Care Program LSU.
4. Written Statement: Articulating Your Nursing Aspirations
As part of the NursingCAS application, all applicants are required to submit a written statement, often referred to as an essay. This written component provides an opportunity for applicants to articulate their motivations for pursuing nursing, their understanding of the profession, and their personal qualities that make them suitable candidates for the Care Program LSU. The essay topic will be provided within the NursingCAS application portal.
5. Endorsement: Letters of Recommendation
To provide a comprehensive view of each applicant, the School of Nursing requires endorsements, also known as letters of recommendation. Applicants must submit one academic endorsement and one professional endorsement at the time of application.
The application process is streamlined through the NursingCAS References section. Applicants will input the necessary information for their recommenders directly into NursingCAS. Once this information is saved, NursingCAS automatically sends an email request to each endorsee on the applicant’s behalf. It is crucial for applicants to advise their recommenders to watch for this email from NursingCAS, and to check their spam or junk-mail folders, as automated emails can sometimes be filtered. It is important to note that applicants can submit their application even before the endorsements have been submitted through NursingCAS, allowing for flexibility in the application timeline.
6. Interview Process: A Virtual Interaction
The interview process for the Care Program LSU is conducted online. Applicants who meet all the stated admission criteria and are deemed qualified will be invited to complete an online interview. This interview serves as an opportunity for the admission committee to assess applicants’ communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and suitability for the nursing profession in a virtual format. Detailed instructions regarding the online interview process will be communicated directly to all eligible applicants who advance to this stage.
7. Previous Nursing Program Experience: Ensuring Academic Standing
For applicants who have previously attended another nursing program, a letter of academic good standing is a mandatory requirement. This letter must be provided directly from the prior school of nursing. This requirement ensures that applicants entering the Care Program LSU have a history of satisfactory academic performance and professional conduct in their previous nursing studies.
By meeting these comprehensive admission requirements, prospective students can position themselves for successful entry into the Care Program LSU at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing and begin their journey toward becoming skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.
