Dillard University Nursing School Review

Dillard University (DU) is a historically black liberal arts college located in New Orleans, Louisiana. This private university was founded in 1930 when previously established institutions as far back as 1869 were incorporated. Dillard University is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. Around 800 students attend the university.

Thirty-two campus buildings and three off-campus residential complexes and other buildings were restored and refurbished after they were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Dillard University has a unique College of General Studies, which is a two-year gateway program for all incoming freshmen. This program provides the support that students sometimes need to prepare for their major that they will pursue in the last two years they spend at Dillard. The entire General Education Core Curriculum is completed in the first two years at the University. After that, students complete courses related to their chosen majors.

Nursing Programs

The Division of Nursing at Dillard University offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. There are different entry points that students may use to complete this degree, including the traditional program that high school graduates enter as pre-nursing students. There is also a program that allows License Practitioner Nurses (LPNs) to complete their BSN, and a program for Registered Nurses (RNs) who have an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing may enter to complete their BSN. Each of these is discussed below.

LPN to BSN

License Practitioner Nurses (LPNs) who want to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing may enroll in this program that the Dillard University School of Nursing offers to nurses. Students in this program must meet all of the general education requirements of the BSN in addition to the upper level nursing courses and clinical experience. LPNs do have the chance to challenge three nursing courses and a chemistry course. If they pass these exams, they are awarded credit for them and are not required to repeat these courses. It takes students in this program four years to finish their studies, including summer courses after the freshman and sophomore years. A total of 132 credits are needed for graduation. At that time, graduates also take the NCLEX-RN to receive licensure as a Registered Nurse. Students must also complete 120 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.

Admission requirements for the LPN to BSN program include completion of the first year of core curriculum and nursing cognate courses with at least a grade of C or higher. A grade point average must be 2.5 or higher, and applicants must take the TEAS exam and score at least 47.6 in reading and 46.7 or higher in math. Also, a complete criminal background check is required, as well as health insurance, student nurse liability insurance, and medical evidence of satisfactory health status. Applicants must also have completed a CPR course at the Professional Rescuer level.

RN to BSN

This RN to BSN program is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who want to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Students are given credit for their previous nursing courses and general education courses that were completed for the associate degree or diploma in nursing. Advance placement equals 34 credits and a total of 132 credits are needed for graduation. Twenty house of community service must be completed each semester, and a total of 132 credits are needed to graduate. Students must complete all of the prerequisite courses before beginning the advanced nursing courses and clinical experience. They are also required to complete the additional liberal arts and science core courses mandated by the University.

Pre-Nursing

Dillard University’s School of Nursing offers this four-year traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for students out of high school or for those without college experience. Students complete the general required core courses during the first two years of the program. Most general education courses are completed before entering the final two years of study. At this time, students focus on nursing courses and complete their clinical experience at many different healthcare facilities in the New Orleans area. All students at Dillard are required to complete 120 hours of community service as well. At the completion of the program, and after 132 credits have been earned, the graduate qualifies to take the NCLEX-RN, the national exam for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Contact:
Dillard University
2601 Gentilly Blvd.,
New Orleans, Louisiana 70122
(504) 283-8822

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