12-Month ABSN Programs in Louisiana: Accelerated Nursing Online

<p>For many nursing students, their career is also their passion. Healthcare is a demanding and rewarding field of study that can quite literally change lives. However, tuition and educational expenses can make it challenging to find a high-quality program that remains affordable. </p> <p>Students can opt for 12-month accelerated nursing programs, which can help them further their nursing practice without spending years in school. An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) at a recognized school of nursing can open up job opportunities that are not available to regular RNs. </p> <p>These <a href="https://learn.org/articles/12_month_accelerated_nursing_programs.html">fast track nursing programs online</a> are accredited, reputable, affordable, and high-quality. Keep reading to learn more about earning your BSN degree in Louisiana. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatIsA12MonthABSNProgram">What Is a 12-Month ABSN Program?</h2> <p>A 12-month ABSN program is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in a field unrelated to healthcare or nursing. This allows students to skip general education coursework and move right into nursing courses. Students enrolled in fast-track nursing programs online typically commit to being full-time students for the duration of their program. </p> <p>There are also programs designed specifically for <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Requirements_to_Be_a_Certified_Registered_Nurse.html">certified registered nurses</a> (RNs) who wish to earn their BSN. Some of the programs featured below are RN to BSN programs designed to help you advance your nursing career. </p> <h2 id="section---AreThereAnyOnlineABSNProgramsInLouisiana">Are There Any Online ABSN Programs in Louisiana?</h2> <p>There are a handful of high-quality online ABSN programs in Louisiana, which are featured below. Some are designed for bachelor's degree holders with no professional nursing experience, while others are RN to BSN programs. Both are designed to help you jumpstart your nursing career. </p> <p>Learn More: <a href="https://learn.org/articles/can_i_get_bsn_without_rn.html">Can You Get A BSN Without An RN?</a> </p> <h2 id="section---TopAcceleratedBSNProgramsInLouisiana">Top Accelerated BSN Programs in Louisiana</h2> <p>These are some of the best 1-year accelerated nursing programs offered in Louisiana. Choosing an accelerated program is one of the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/fastest_way_to_become_nurse.html">quickest ways to become a nurse</a> whether the program is in-person or online. Some of the programs featured below are offered entirely online, while others include in-person coursework; however, all of them can be completed in just over one year. </p> <h3 id="section---1.LouisianaStateUniversity">1. Louisiana State University</h3> <p>Louisiana State University (LSU) offers a 14-month RN to BSN program for nurses looking to further their scope of practice. With flexible courses that can be completed 100% online, this degree program is friendly toward full-time nurses. The admission requirements include a 2.25 GPA requirement and a valid RN license. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $340 per credit hour </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 14 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Military benefits for both active duty servicemembers and veterans. Students should apply for federal funding through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACNE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---2.LoyolaUniversity">2. Loyola University</h3> <p>This hybrid degree is located in New Orleans and can be completed in just 17 months. It is designed to be completed in four successive semesters and blends online synchronous lectures with in-person clinical experiences at Loyola University's simulation lab. Nursing students will take courses in microbiology, statistics, mental health, and more. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $468 per credit hour </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 17 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Need- and merit-based scholarships and grants may be available to qualifying students. Students should also apply for federal aid through FAFSA. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.TulaneUniversity">3. Tulane University</h3> <p>This four-semester program combines interactive online coursework with in-person clinical experiences at various healthcare facilities around New Orleans. The NCLEX-RN exam is a key focus in every class, preparing students for their vital licensure exam upon graduation. Students will study pathophysiology, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and more in this well-rounded program. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $1,083 per credit </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 24 months (with summers off) </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Tulane University is partnered with LCMC Health for the Nursing Scholars program, through which students can earn a completely free ABSN if they commit to two years of employment at an LCMC Health facility. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---4.McNeeseStateUniversity">4. McNeese State University</h3> <p>McNeese State University offers an accelerated RN to BSN program to be completed in as little as ten months. With accelerated seven-week courses and only 30 required credits, this is one of the most affordable programs in Louisiana. Students will study community health, leadership and management, evidence-based practice in nursing, and more. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $233 per credit for nurses from partner agencies; $300 per credit for nurses from non-partner agencies </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 10 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Students are encouraged to apply for federal aid through the FAFSA. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.SoutheasternLouisianaUniversity">5. Southeastern Louisiana University</h3> <p>This ABSN is designed for non-nursing majors who wish to earn their BSN after completing a baccalaureate degree. Half of the coursework in this on-campus program will take place on the Hammond campus; the other half occur at the Baton Rouge campus. There is also an online RN to BSN program offered by Southeastern Louisiana University. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $4,730 per 12-credit semester </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 18 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> State-specific scholarships include one for members of the Louisiana National Guard. Students are also encouraged to seek federal funding through the FAFSA. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---6.LouisianaChristianUniversity">6. Louisiana Christian University</h3> <p>Louisiana Christian University provides an in-person ABSN program at its campus in Pineville, taught by a decorated nursing faculty. The program includes courses on women's health, medical-surgical nursing, nursing informatics, and more over five successive semesters. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $10,048 per 12-18 credit semester </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 16 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> The Cabrini Scholars Foundation awards grants to students in $5,000 increments to help them complete their degree, provided the student agrees to work at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria upon graduation. Courses include human physiology I and II, microbiology, developmental psychology, and more. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h3 id="section---7.UniversityOfLouisianaAtLafayette">7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette</h3> <p>The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a competitive ABSN program held on campus. Numerous prerequisite courses can be supplemented with transfer credits from a previous degree to allow students the chance to jump into their upper-level nursing courses. There is also an online RN to BSN program for registered nurses. </p> <ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $0 </li><li><b>Program length:</b> 15 months </li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> This program is entirely free, as one of the requirements of enrollment is to work for three years at an Oschner Lafayette General facility upon graduation. </li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> CCNE </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2> <p>We rank schools based on the following rigorous criteria: </p> <ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> All universities featured on Learn.org are accredited institutions, meaning they are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For colleges of nursing, we specifically look for programs recognized by healthcare-focused accrediting bodies and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. All of our featured schools are <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_louisiana.html">accredited online colleges that accept financial aid</a>. </li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> We feature nursing programs with positive reputations. Specifically, we look for programs with high NCLEX-RN pass rates and high rates of employment for nurses within a year of graduation. </li><li><b>Program cost:</b> We search for low-cost programs without sacrificing quality. A program can be considered 'low-cost' through below-average tuition costs, robust financial aid opportunities, or discounts for military or first responder students. </li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutAcceleratedOnlineABSNPrograms">FAQs About Accelerated Online ABSN Programs</h2> <p>Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about earning your ABSN, including the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">educational requirements for nurses</a> and the cost of attendance. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAnOnlineABSNProgramCostInLouisiana">How Much Does an Online ABSN Program Cost in Louisiana?</h3> <p>Online ABSN programs vary widely in cost. For example, the program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is completely free due to students contracting to work for a specific hospital upon graduation. In general, online programs are more affordable and offer lower tuition costs. </p> <p>Learn More: <a href="https://learn.org/articles/cheapest_absn_programs.html">Cheapest ABSN programs</a> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirementsForAcceleratedBSNPrograms">What Are The Requirements For Accelerated BSN Programs?</h3> <p>To enroll in an ABSN program, you must already hold a bachelor's degree. For RN to BSN programs, you must have a valid RN license. </p> <h3 id="section---CanIBecomeAnRNIn12Months">Can I Become an RN in 12 Months?</h3> <p>It is possible to become an RN in a little over 12 months if you have no previous nursing care experience or academic credits. RN to BSN programs can help you earn your BSN in as little as 10 months. </p> <h2 id="section---FindAnOnlineNursingDegree">Find an Online Nursing Degree</h2> <p>Nursing is a calling for many, and finding a high-quality, low-cost nursing school can be tricky. Explore more featured online nursing degrees here on Learn.org.</p>