Nursing Programs
Northwestern State University was the first public institution in Louisiana to establish a baccalaureate program in nursing, welcoming its first students in 1949. The College of Nursing was also the first in the state to offer a master’s degree in nursing. NSU offers an Associate of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LPN to ASN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN program, Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Classes are available on Northwestern State campuses in Shreveport, Alexandria, Leesville/Fort Johnson and Natchitoches. NSU’s College of Nursing is known throughout the state for graduating highly qualified nurses.
The nursing faculty consists of experienced health care professionals who are dedicated to preparing students to achieve their professional goals as responsible and contributing members of their profession and society. Members of the faculty regularly volunteer their time sharing their expertise and knowledge with organizations and individuals in the community, with many serving as consultants, leaders, and board members as part of their professional responsibilities in the local, state and national arenas.
Undergraduate Studies in Nursing
The undergraduate clinical application deadline for Fall is April 15th
The undergraduate clinical application deadline for Spring is August 15th
The clinical application deadline for the Bachelor’s to BSN Program Summer Session is a preferred deadline of October 15th with a final deadline of January 15th.
Undergraduate Studies Clinical Applications
Graduate Studies in Nursing
| Full Time Faculty | Adjunct Faculty |
|---|---|
| Dr. Cheryl Adair – Associate Professor Phone: (318) 677-3075 Nursing Education Center–Shreveport – 217C adairc@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Aimee L. Badeaux –Interim Dean, Associate Professor, Nurse Anesthesia Program Coordinator Phone: (318) 677-3100 College of Nursing badeauxa@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Alice Blue – Associate Professor Phone: (318)677-3085 Nursing Education Center – Shreveport – 239C bluea@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Geneva Caldwell — Associate Professor, MSN Administration Coordinator Phone: (713) 591-4229 Nursing Education Center-Shreveport caldwellm@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileKrystyna Tabor – Director of Assessment, Evaluation, & Planning, Associate Professor Phone: (318) 677-3100 Nursing Education Center–Shreveport – 415C tabork@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Dana Clawson – Interim Director of Doctoral Studies, Professor Phone: (318) 677-3100 Nursing Education Center-Shreveport roed@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileMeredith Eastin – Assistant Professor, Primary Care Pediatric NP Coordinator Phone: (405) 227-4576 waldropm@nsula.edu Faculty Profile Dr. Michelle DeBose – Associate Professor, MSN Education Coordinator Dr. Kristi Hylan – Nurse Anesthesia Program Coordinator Dr. Donald Johnston – Associate Professor Lisa Lee – Assistant Professor Dr. Katrina O’Con – BSN-DNP NA Asst. Coordinator, Assistant Professor Dr. Robyn Ray – Associate Professor Donald Stafford – Assistant Professor Dr. Susan Steel-Moses – Associate Professor Dr. Aaron Stigers – Interim Director of MSN and PMC Programs, Assistant Professor, AGPCNP Coordinator Dr. Tiffany Williams – Associate Professor, FNP Coordinator Dr. Mary Zapczynski – Associate Professor |
Dr. Donna Atobejeun atobajeund@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Wendy Bailes bailesw@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileJaschandria Bell baileyj@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Meridith Bergeron bergeronm@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileBoteler, Anne botelera@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileLeKidra Brown brownle@nsula.edu Faculty ProfileDr. Winde Chambers chambersw@nsula.edu Faculty Profile Dr. Tonye Cox-Miller Dr. Gayle Elliott Sarah Girlinghouse Dr. Yoshika Croute Alysha Hinson Dr. Katie Hooven Dr. Charla Johnson Dr. Beatrice Launius Dr. Melissa Lucas Dr. Meryn Olivier Dr. Courtney Owens Michelle Phelan Dr. Danita Potter Dr. Rachel Shelby Dr. Allyson Spence Brooke Stokes Dr. Ruzanna Topchyan Dr. Rebecca Weston Joshua White |
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Northwestern State University (NSU), College of Nursing and School of Allied Health provides learning opportunities for registered nurses to build upon baccalaureate nursing education, as well as experiential professional knowledge, attitudes, and skills. The MSN program at NSU prepares registered nurses to function and excel in various advanced nursing roles.
ADVISING
- You can now book and manage appointments using our Booking Page
The graduate nursing program provides the student who has earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge, intellectual skills, and clinical competence necessary for the role of the advanced practice nurse. Areas of concentration include:
Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP),
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PCPNP),
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Across the Lifespan (PMHNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Education
- Adult-Gerontology Nursing
- Maternal, Child, and Family Nursing
Administration
- Adult-Gerontology Nursing
- Maternal, Child, and Family Nursing
* All students must register for NURG 5000: Orientation to Graduate Nursing during their first semester. NURG 5000 meets virtually on the first Friday of the Fall semester.
Accreditation
The master’s degree in nursing at Northwestern State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
MSN Documents
MSN Concentrations
Concentration Curricula
The MSN and PMC nurse practitioner concentrations may require students to attend courses, labs, and/or simulation activities on the main campus or off-campus learning sites. Students must obtain direct care (in person) clinical hours as specified by the curriculum pattern. Presently, NP clinical hours are obtained in Louisiana.
MSN AND PMC APPLICATIONS
Applications for the MSN and PMC programs are processed through the Graduate School at Northwestern State University. The application period is from January 1st to a priority deadline of March 31st for the Fall semester.
All students who are accepted into the program progress with a clinical cohort and are first enrolled in the Fall. The MSN program dose not have rolling admissions. Students may be accepted as late as June 1st pending space availability.
The MSN and PMC programs nurse practitioner concentrations may require students to attend courses, labs, and/or simulation activities on the main campus or off-campus learning sites. Students must obtain direct care (in person) clinical hours as specified by the curriculum pattern. Presently, NP clinical hours are obtained in Louisiana.
Accreditation
The post-graduate APRN certificate program at Northwestern State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
MSN AND PMC APPLICATIONS
Applications for the MSN and PMC programs are processed through the Graduate School at Northwestern State University. The application period is from January 1st to a priority deadline of March 31st for the Fall semester.
All students who are accepted into the program progress with a clinical cohort and are first enrolled in the Fall. The PMC program does not have rolling admissions. Students may be accepted as late as June 1st pending space availability.
After acceptance into the PMC program, it is essential to arrange a faculty advising appointment to align a Gap Analysis that determines required curricula. An advising appointment can be scheduled through Bookings.
| Full-time Faculty | Adjunct Faculty |
|---|---|
| Dr. Aimee Badeaux Dr. Dana Clawson Dr. Kristi Hylan Dr. Joel Jimes Dr. Meryn Olivier Dr. Robyn Ray Mr. Donald Stafford Dr. Susan Steele-Moses |
Dr. Meridith Bergeron Dr. Charla Johnson Dr. Stacey Joslin Dr. Armando Paladino Dr. Allyson Spence Dr. Ruzanna Topchyan |
The DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 36-month course of continuous study. The DNP Organizational Systems Leadership Program is a 24-month course of continuous study
DNP Program Current Goals (Purposes)
The Goals (Purposes) of NSU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program are to:
- Provide advanced nursing practice leaders with expertise, specialized competencies, and advanced knowledge required for evidence-based nursing practice and mastery in an area of specialization within the larger domain of nursing.
- Prepare advanced nursing practice leaders to influence, design, direct and implement changes in healthcare practice, education, and policy through the development of collaborative alliances to improve healthcare outcomes of vulnerable populations.
- Develop advanced nursing practice leaders who contribute to nursing’s body of knowledge through professional development and scholarly inquiry to improve safety and quality healthcare outcomes of vulnerable populations.
DNP Program Student/Program Learning Outcomes (SLOs/PLOs) (Program Objectives)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Graduate will be able to:
- Integrate nursing science and interdisciplinary knowledge as the foundation for the highest level of nursing practice.
- Engage in the provision of person-centered care within multiple complicated contexts, including family or important others.
- Appraise interdisciplinary healthcare delivery initiatives and models with a focus on disease prevention and disease management of populations through collaborative activities for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes.
- Systematically appraise, translate, and apply existing evidence to improve healthcare.
- Integrate principles of quality and safety to improve system effectiveness of care delivery and individual performance.
- Collaborate with interprofessional teams and stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes.
- Evaluate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations using a systems-based approach.
- Utilize informatics and healthcare technologies to enhance healthcare decision making and care delivery.
- Demonstrate professionalism reflective of nursing’s characteristics and values.
- Engage in personal and professional leadership development to promote excellence in practice.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at Northwestern State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, nurse anesthesia role (Nurse Anesthesia Program) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) (http://coacrna.org, 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906 Rosemont, IL 60018-5603, and can be reached at 224-275-9130 or via email at accreditation@coacrna.org), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. The nurse anesthesia program received COA accreditation in May 2021 and the next accreditation review will be in 2026.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810, 225-755-7500.
DNP PROGRAM INFORMATION
DNP NURSE ANESTHESIA PROGRAM STATISTICS
| Cohort | # of Students Admitted | Average Undergraduate GPA | Average GRE | # of Students Graduated | NSU NCE Pass Rate % (1st Time) | National NCE Pass Rate % (1st Time) | Average # of Anesthesia Cases | % of Students Employed as CRNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 3.42 | 301 | 17 | 88.23% | Pending | 1032 | 100% |
DNP ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP APPLICATION
Applications for the DNP OSL program are being processed through NursingCAS, the centralized application for nursing. Visit www.nursingcas.org to start an application. The application period for the DNP OSL program is February 15-July 15 for the following Spring semester.
Visit www.nursingcas.org to start an application or log into your existing account. Visit the Add Program page to select our nursing program and complete the steps to fill out and submit your application. If you need help with NursingCAS, visit the applicant help center or contact applicant support with questions.
DNP NURSE ANESTHESIA APPLICATION
Applications for the DNP NA program are being processed through NursingCAS, the centralized application for nursing. Visit www.nursingcas.org to start an application. The application period for the DNP NA program is February 15-July 15 for the following Spring semester.
Visit www.nursingcas.org to start an application or log into your existing account. Visit the Add Program page to select our nursing program and complete the steps to fill out and submit your application. If you need help with NursingCAS, visit the applicant help center or contact applicant support with questions.
