Nursing Schools in New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana. Home to the New Orleans Saints, the city is known for its world famous Cajun cuisine. There is however more to New Orleans than delicious food. The city is home to numerous institutes of higher learning, offering countless opportunities to  students interested in different fields including healthcare, engineering, education and more. As healthcare is one of the biggest sectors of the state’s economy, pursuing programs in the field of  nursing can be a suitable career option. Just like other cities, job opportunities for nurses in New Orleans are likely to grow in the coming years.

Why nursing degree?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses make the nation’s largest healthcare profession. Opportunities for nurses across Louisiana are expected to increase so pursuing a degree in this area of study can be suitable option for students interested in the field of healthcare.

Nursing Schools in New Orleans

The nursing schools in the city offer a range of programs that are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge essential to learning nursing theory and practices. Nursing schools offer various non-degree and degree based programs. Degree programs are offered both at undergraduate and graduate levels.  Students learn about nursing practices and how to provide nursing care to patients in different healthcare settings.

Types of nursing programs in New Orleans

Undergraduate degree programs such as Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are suitable for those who want to apply for registered nurse (RN) positions upon getting licensed. RNs are entry-level nurses who provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about various health conditions, and provide advice to patients and their family members. Advanced programs, such as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), are also offered by many nursing schools in New Orleans. Those who are interested in applying for research, teaching or administrative positions may pursue the MSN or PhD degree in nursing.

LPN programs are also offered in New Orleans. LPN (licensed practical nurse) programs allow students to prepare for LPN positions – nurses who assist RNs and other healthcare professionals.

What courses will you study?

Ranging from health assessment to family care, the nursing programs cover a range of topics that allows students to explore nursing practices and acquire leadership, communication and problem solving skills. Some of the topics of study in nursing programs may include:

• Nutrition
• Anatomy
• Psychiatric nursing
• Nursing informatics
• Patient care management

What are the opportunities for graduates?

Opportunities for RNs in the state of Louisiana are expected to grow between 2012 and 2022, according to the data published by O*NET OnLine. Employment of LPNs also looks favorable with expected job growth during the same period.

Pay

The median annual pay for RNs in Louisiana (2013) was $61,780 and LPNs earned $37,820. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)