Online RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana: Comparing Top Schools

How Online RN to BSN Programs Work in Louisiana

After earning an associate degree and RN license, you can advance your career with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, often in a year or less. RN to BSN programs — especially those with online components — are built with working nurses in mind, making it easier to increase both job opportunities and earning potential without stepping away from the workforce.

When comparing online RN to BSN programs in Louisiana, focus on these factors:

1. Program format: Many options are fully online and asynchronous, while others include limited in-person or hybrid requirements.
2. Time and cost: Completion timelines, tuition, and available financial aid can vary widely.
3. Fit and requirements: Review curriculum content, admission criteria, and how well each program balances work, school, and personal commitments.

Below are three standout RN to BSN programs that reflect what students like you can expect during the program selection process.

FAQs for Louisiana RN to BSN Online Students

As you explore Louisiana’s online RN to BSN programs, you will have at least a few questions. Check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.

How will an RN to BSN program in Louisiana prepare me for better career opportunities?

Some hospitals and facilities require nurses to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing beyond the associate-oriented RN degree. Earning a BSN also opens the door for working in medical research, nursing education roles, and positions in public health to affect policy and outcomes for community populations.

With a BSN, nurses can apply for a greater range of job opportunities in the healthcare industry. This means wider availability of leadership roles, many of which still involve direct patient care but include responsibilities for leading key initiatives and groups of nursing teams.

Is there financial aid available to Louisiana RN to BSN students?

Yes, students in Louisiana’s online RN to BSN programs have ample financial aid options available, including grants, scholarships, student loans, and fellowships. As an example of how detailed these can be, and for nursing students interested in serving in understaffed hospitals, the federal government offers the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program.

The Louisiana state government also has a long list of state-specific scholarships, though none are currently nursing-specific. The state program known as TOPS, the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, is popular among nursing students, as it pays for full tuition.

In what ways does earning a BSN in Louisiana expand my knowledge base?

Much of what you are taught in a BSN program goes into more detail about nursing techniques, distinct patient populations, from the elderly to children, and communication and leadership techniques for becoming a nurse manager or director.

Plus, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing requires 900 hours of continuing education every two years, and earning the degree certainly covers that requirement. An RN to BSN program is an organized and comprehensive way to provide better patient care or influence its results on a larger scale.

Will RN to BSN programs in Louisiana accept my past educational credits?

Yes, but what is accepted may differ between each university or school. Most RN to BSN programs require about 120 credits, but close to or more than half of those are from your time in earning an associate degree in nursing, which likely led to your RN license.

You will submit transcripts to show how you did in each course and get a good idea of what will transfer at the admission stage when starting a program.

What are the best qualities for an RN to BSN degree program in Louisiana?

Consider objective traits such as accreditation, cost, financial aid options, quality curriculum, and student support services. Subjective traits relate to your preferred learning style and should be considered as well. If you want an asynchronous program, the University of Louisiana Lafayette might work, while the RN to BSN program at Franciscan University is a better fit for someone who wants live, interactive class sessions. The goal is to balance personal course delivery preferences with excellent quality.

Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN

When it comes to earning a BSN degree, and especially through a bridge program for RNs, you can not only affect the way care is provided and taught to younger nurses, but you also can make more money and advance your career.

As the evidence below suggests, having a BSN degree means you can vie for coveted leadership or management roles that naturally pay more, sometimes significantly, depending on the type of healthcare office or facility. You can apply for specialized nursing fields you learned about in your bridge program and be considered for advanced practice roles.

According to the latest data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs in Louisiana earn a median hourly wage of $35.85 an hour, while nurse specialists earn anywhere from $57.06 for nurse practitioners to $101.83 for nurse anesthetists.

As far as national statistics for nurse educators, these professionals earn a mean annual wage of $86,530 annually, compared to the annual mean for RNs, which is $80,670. Another common BSN-earning nurse occupation is as a clinical nurse specialist. According to statistics from ZipRecruiter, a CNS earns an average of $94,545 a year.

Ranking the Best Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs in Louisiana

Below, we have ranked Louisiana schools offering RN to BSN programs by what our research has shown to be their strongest traits. Schools were required to meet criteria established by the national Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

In addition, schools needed to have at least one online component in their programs, as well as accreditation, counseling, and career placement as focal points. The availability of distance education, along with tuition rates, financial aid capabilities, and student-to-faculty ratios were also key factors in rankings.