NATCHITOCHES – The deadline to apply for admission into Northwestern State University’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) track is August 1.
The BSN to DNP program will provide baccalaureate prepared registered nurses doctorate-level education focused on organizational systems leadership. Upon admission into the BSN to DNP program, students will have an opportunity to enroll in the nurse anesthesia (NA) concentration and be prepared as an advanced practice registered nurse in the certified registered nurse anesthetist role, according to Dr. Aimee Badeaux, director of doctoral studies and nurse anesthesia program coordinator.
The BSN to DNP program is nine semesters in length and the first two semesters are delivered completely online, allowing the student to remain in practice as a registered nurse during program enrollment.
Northwestern State developed the program in cooperation with community partners who identified a regional need for certified registered nurse anesthetists. The nurse anesthesia concentration was recently approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
NSU and its clinical partners have invested over $4 million into the BSN to DNP-NA program, the first in the University of Louisiana System, to better serve northern and central Louisiana’s healthcare needs, and to keep BSN graduates from leaving Louisiana to attend out-of-state colleges to obtain this degree.
The BSN to DNP nurse anesthesia concentration is currently under eligibility review by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and will undergo an onsite accreditation visit in October.
For more information, go to nursing.nsula.edu/nursing-programs.
