Southeastern Louisiana University Nursing School Review
Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) was first founded as Hammond Junior College in 1925, to provide educational opportunities to the people in and around the community of Hammond. This two year college grew rapidly, and in 1928 it became Southeastern Louisiana College, and part of the state educational system. It grew again in 1937 when it added four-year degree programs, and graduated its first baccalaureate class in 1939.
The College continued to grow in enrollment, campus area, and degree programs. In 1970 it officially became Southeastern Louisiana University. It has the main campus in Hammond, the Baton Rouge Nursing Center in Baton Rouge, St. Tammany Center in Abita Springs, Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center in Walker, and Turtle Cove Environmental Research Center on Lake Pontchartrain.
Southeastern suffered little damage during Hurricane Katrina, which occurred just six days into the fall semester of 2005. It did, however, play an important role in the recovery of the area, by providing housing for disaster relief teams and National Guard personnel, as well as displaced students, faculty, and staff. The school was fully operational again just eight days after the storm, and in another week reached a record enrollment of over 16,000 students.
Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science (BS), Concentration in Nursing
This program prepares students to become nurses by providing them with professional courses in nursing as well as support courses in arts, sciences, and humanities. Students are admitted into this program in the fall and spring semesters. Those that complete this program will graduate with a BS degree with a concentration in nursing, and will be eligible to sit for the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exam.
To be eligible to apply to the BS program, students must have grades of C or better in all prerequisite courses, as well as at least a 3.0 GPA. They must also show evidence that they are physically able to meet the requirements of the curriculum. Students will also need to have a drug test and background check once accepted into the program.
The prerequisites for the BS program are Freshman Composition and Critical Reading and Writing or Ancient and Modern Epic Literature and Composition, College Algebra, General Biology I with Lab, Introductory Sociology, General Psychology I, Survey of Chemistry, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Introduction to Public Speaking, Elementary Statistics, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Labs, Developmental Psychology, Medical Microbiology with Lab, English Literature, a History and an Arts elective, Library Science, and Freshman Academic Success.
Students who meet the honors criteria may follow the Nursing Honors Option. This upper level honors curriculum will lead to an honors diploma at graduation. Students must work with the Nursing Department Head, along with the Honors Department to determine their coursework.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to BS in Nursing
This accelerated program allows LPNs to earn their BS in Nursing degree and become licensed RNs. Students that are accepted will be allowed to earn 13 credit hours either through challenge exam or by a demonstration of competency.
To be able to apply, students must be graduates of an approved LPN program, hold a current LPN license, and have at least one year of nursing work experience.
Once students have taken the prerequisite courses for the BS program, they will take the Nursing Bridge course. Upon completion of that course and challenge exam or competency demonstration, they will be awarded 13 credit hours and be allowed to continue in the third year of the BS program.
RN to BS in Nursing
RNs who graduated from an approved associate degree or diploma in nursing program are eligible for the RN to BS in Nursing track. This program admits students in the fall semester. To apply, students must have a current RN license, and it is recommended that they have at least one year of nursing experience. They must also take the same prerequisites as listed above for the BS program.
Students that complete 30 credit hours toward their BS degree will be awarded up to 30 credit hours from transfer credit or exams.
Accelerated Track for Prior Bachelor’s Degree
Students who have a bachelors degree in a different field of study may apply to this program. This program generally begins in the spring or summer semester, and takes about 18 months to complete. Students may transfer prior credits to meet prerequisite course requirements. They are required to complete all the prerequisite courses prior to entry into the program.
Master of Science in Nursing
Southeastern’s MSN program is part of a partnership with McNeese State University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Students select their home university to maintain their academic records, but will work online with faculty and students from all three universities.
All courses are available 100% online, and students are admitted to the program each fall and spring.
To apply, students will need to submit a curriculum vitae, verification of their RN license, two letters of recommendation, and a statement explaining their goals and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. They will also need to submit undergraduate transcripts and their GRE scores. Students will need to have a GPA of at least 2.7 to apply.
The following specialty concentrations are available to MSN students:
- Family Nurse Practitioner – this program requires 40-43 credit hours and 720 hours of clinical practice.
- Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – this program can be completed with 42-45 credit hours, and 600 clinical practice hours.
- Family Psychiatric/Mental Health NP – this program requires 46-49 credit hours of study and 720 clinical practice hours.
- Nurse Educator – this program takes 34 credit hours and 525 hours of clinical practice hours.
- Nurse Executive – This program can be completed with 35-38 credit hours of study and 300 clinical practice hours.
RN to MSN
This program is for students with an associate degree or diploma in nursing and an RN license. Students must apply first to the BS in Nursing program, and then apply to the MSN program during their final semester in the BS program. They will have to meet the entrance requirements for both programs.
Students that follow this course of study will receive both a BS degree and an MSN degree.
Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana (CALL) RN to BS in Nursing
CALL is another option for RNs who wish to earn their BS in Nursing degree. Students must be a graduate of an associate degree or diploma program. This program is offered entirely online.
To apply, students must have a current RN license and have at least one year of nursing experience. Students must also complete the prerequisites of Freshman Composition and Critical Reading and Writing, College Algebra, Introductory Sociology, General Psychology I, Survey of Chemistry, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Elementary Statistics, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Labs, Developmental Psychology, Medical Microbiology with Lab, and Library Science. These courses must be taken with a grade of C or higher, and a GPA of at least 2.7.
Continuing Education Programs
The School of Nursing at Southeastern offers various continuing education programs for those in the health care field. These courses are co-sponsored by the Southeast Louisiana Area Health Care Center. The amount of contact hours vary per course, and the schedule is subject to change.
A sample of courses held recently include, What’s Happening in Cardiovascular Nursing, Lab Value Interpretation: Normals and Abnormals with Implications for Best Practices, and Cancer: What Now.
Nursing Scholarships
The School of Nursing has several scholarships for nursing students that are awarded once you meet the specified criteria for the nursing scholarship. Here are some of those scholarships:
Melissa Claire and Cheryl Acosta Scholarship – $1,264.00/Semester
Mary C. Allen Scholarship in Nursing – $501.00/Semester
Andrew Bowden Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $162.50/Semester
Emile and Frances D’Anna Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $200.00/Semester
Dora Sue Blackwell Shettles Daussat Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $200.00/Semester
Dr. J. Lincoln and Mrs. Mary Anne Goreau DeVillier Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
Myra Gautreaux Memorial Scholarship – $320.00/Semester
Grand Council Chapter Masonic Foundation of LA – $250.00/Semester
Gulf States Health Services Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $333.00/Semester
Gulf States Health Services Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $333.00/Semester
Mary Bridges Magee Nursing Scholarship – $204.50/Semester
Beverly L. Manzella Scholarship in Nursing – $200.00/Semester
Sade Pugh Mashburn Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $217.50/Semester
Barbara and Randy Moffett Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $200.00/Semester
Joanna Dee Newman Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $731.00/Semester
Joanna Dee Newman Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $731.00/Semester
Bernice Ross Penland Endowed Scholarship in Nursing
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
SGA Endowed Scholarship in Nursing and Health Sciences – 200.00/Semester
Lisa Sharp In/Out Scholarship in Nursing – 300.00/Semester
Tangipahoa Parish Medical Auxiliary – $350.00/Semester
Ellienne T. Tate Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $268.50/Semester
Sarah Kay Thornhill Endowed Scholarship in Nursing – $374.00/Semester
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation
Phillipp Wolter Family Endowment Fund for Nursing – $200.00/Semester
Contact:
Southeastern Louisiana University
500 Western Avenue,
Hammond, LA 70402
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