Grambling State University Nursing School Review

Grambling State University (GSU) is a coeducational public university that is located in Grambling, Louisiana. It is a historically black university that is listed on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. There are almost 5,000 students enrolled in 69 by undergraduate and graduate programs.

The University was founded in 1901 by African-American farmers and was named the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School. In the 1940s, Grambling trained high school teachers. More degrees were added in 1949 when the University became accredited by the Southern Association of colleges and Schools. In 1974, graduate programs in education enabled the college to be named Grambling State University.

Nursing Programs

Baccalaureate Nursing Program

Grambling State University School of Nursing Baccalaureate (BSN) Program prepares students for careers as professional nurses. Students gain a liberal arts education and complete nursing courses and clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings during the four years that they are in the program. Students begin as pre-nursing majors and maintain this status for three semesters before entering professional nursing for the next five academic semesters. A total of 120 credits are needed for graduation. At that time, graduates take the NCLEX-RN to receive licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Admission to the baccalaureate program is competitive, and those who have completed the pre-nursing requirements are not automatically admitted to the professional nursing program. Admission requirements include submitting an application by the deadline date with official transcripts from any colleges or universities that have been attended. Also, all pre-nursing courses must be completed before applying to the nursing program. Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.75 in all pre-nursing and math and science courses. The School of Nursing also admits RNs with associate degrees, as well as Licensed Practical Nurses. Admission is based on individual qualifications, and those who are interested must contact the School of Nursing.

RN to BSN Flexible Option Program

The Grambling State University School of Nursing also offers a program for Registered Nurses (RNs) who want to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. RNs must complete the same general education requirement as any other BSN student, and general education requirements must be met before the RN is eligible to enter the BSN program. After this, it takes only two semesters for the RN to complete the BSN. Admission to the nursing program requires that the nurse has graduated from an accredited RN program, and the applicant must have a C or above average in the prerequisite courses for this program.

Applicants must first apply to Grambling State University before applying to the nursing program, and admission must be complete before applying to the RN to BSN program. The admission application must be notarized and be sent to the University with official transcripts from all colleges and universities that have been attended. Each year, the RN must submit proof of a current RN license. Those admitted to the program must then complete the first semester of the professional curriculum. They are then awarded 42 semester hours of nursing credits and may move forward in the professional nursing program. Students attend full-time and must complete 125 credits to qualify for graduation. This nursing program is considered flexible because students take only the liberal arts and sciences and other general education courses that are required that they have not previously taken. Each student’s plan for completion may be somewhat different.

Graduate Nursing Program

Grambling State University offers a graduate nursing program that leads to two areas of certification for RNs with a BSN. These are Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator. Each program requires that a student first complete the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) core courses before moving forward to focus on the courses for their chosen specialty. RNs interested in completing their MSN must first apply for admission to the University and be accepted. They must have a BSN and a grade point average of at least 3.0. Official transcripts must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office and the School of Nursing. The GRE is required as well with a combined minimum score of 1,000 for Verbal and Quantitative sections and at least 450 on other sections.

An interview with the MSN faculty is also required, as well as three professional letters of recommendation. RNs must have worked for at least two years in their field. Applicants must have also completed both a statistics course and a health assessment course and earned at least a C in these. Additionally, a graduate level writing course is required. Applicants must also have a current RN license, malpractice insurance, and current CPR certification. An annual health exam is also required that documents the required immunizations needed for clinical experience related to the MSN. The two MSN concentrations are discussed below.

Family Nurse Practitioner Program

This MSN program requires only five semesters of study, covering 21 months and 49 graduate credits. Students must be on campus only one day each week for class, lab work, and computer lab experiences. Clinical experiences are arranged as close to the student’s home area as possible. Students train under doctors and experienced Family Nurse Practitioners as they complete these hours. Graduates of the program take a national exam to obtain their advanced practice license. After that, they may provide primary care to members of families of all ages. The Grambling program requires 700 clinical hours in primary healthcare settings, so graduates have had extensive experience by the time they have completed the program.

Nurse Educator Program

This MSN program trains RNs with a BSN to teach in nursing schools and universities. Students also learn methods for facilitating staff workshops at a variety of healthcare settings and for educating patients and the public about diseases and wellness. It is a full-time program that takes 21 months to complete. First students must complete the MSN core courses, and they then move into the specialty advanced nursing courses related to Nurse Educator. There is a capstone experience, which is the Practicum in Nursing Education. Students must choose a clinical focus of either Maternal/Child or Adult/Geriatric. Clinical experience is usually close to the student’s home.

Post Masters FNP Certificate

RNs who have already completed their MSN, but want a certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner may apply to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. They are given credit for the core courses if they meet Grambling’s standards, so they are not required to take as many prerequisite courses before beginning the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Applicants must first apply to the University and then to the School of Nursing. At the completion of the program courses and 700 hours of clinical experience, graduates take the national certification exam to gain licensure as a FNP.

Army ROTC Nursing Opportunities

Grambling Students who enroll in the United States Army may have their education completely paid for by the Army in return for a commitment to serve in the Army after graduation. Students are able to receive up to a 4-Year scholarship as they earn their BSN. This equals up to $81,000 towards their tuition, room and board, books, plus a monthly stipend. Students must spend time in field training and in events throughout the year.

Contact:
Grambling State University
403 Main Street,
Grambling, LA 71245
(318) 247-3811

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