Nursing

The Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing, provides nursing education grounded in Jesuit values to graduate nurses who lead change and translate science into practice in a dynamic global health care environment. For more than 30 years, School of Nursing faculty and staff have been preparing students for their critical leadership role in the healthcare industry. Graduate programs include a Master's of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Overview

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Academic Regulations and Policies for Graduate Nursing Programs

School of Nursing undergraduate programs follow university-wide Academic Regulations as set forth in the University Bulletin, with the following program-specific addendums:

Admission Licensure & Certification Requirements - Registered Nurse License

Upon entering the RN-BSN, MSN, or DNP program, each student must submit proof of a current, unencumbered, unrestricted, valid, and without disciplinary action on a registered nurse license in the state in which he/she practices. If, at any point during the program, a student’s RN license becomes encumbered, restricted, has disciplinary action, requires enrollment in an alternative discipline program, or expires, the student is required to immediately inform the respective Program Director and Director of the School of Nursing. Any student with an encumbered, restricted, or disciplinary action on the license will not be permitted to enroll in a course with a practicum component except with the permission of the Director of the School of Nursing after individual review. Failure to report an encumbered, restricted, or disciplinary action on a license to the Program Director and Director of the School of Nursing will result in dismissal from the program.  All students will be required to obtain an RN license in any state in which they plan to do practicum if they do not already have such licensure. All pre-licensure FNP students will be required to obtain and maintain a Louisiana Registered Nursing license while enrolled in the program.

 

Length of Time to Complete Program

Students are required to complete any graduate nursing program within 5 years of enrolling in course work. Undergraduate students can progress in their coursework at a pace that is mutually agreed upon by the students and their academic advisor. Students who find it necessary to drop out of school for a period of time must request a formal leave of absence and complete the relevant paperwork. An approved Leave of Absence form guarantees the student the right to return to the program within one year, after which the formal leave expires. The approved Leave of Absence for one year is included in the 5 year requirement. The student will work with the Academic Advisor and/or Program Director to develop an alternate plan of study to accommodate the curriculum in effect at the time of reentry. If a student’s progression plan indicates the student will fail to complete any graduate nursing program within 5 years, the student will be dismissed from the program.

 

Minimal Acceptable Grade

The minimum acceptable grade in a graduate course taken at Loyola University New Orleans is a B (83%). A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation for one semester. A student on academic probation has one semester (fall, spring or summer semester) to remove the academic deficiency. Pass/Fail courses do not count towards students’ GPA. If the academic probation is not removed in the allotted time, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program. There are four conditions in which a student will be dismissed from a program:

  • Any student receiving a grade of F in any theory (non-practicum) course
  • The need to repeat a single course for a third time in the student’s program of study
  • The need to repeat more than two courses in the student’s program of study
  • Failure to increase GPA above 3.0 after one semester of academic probation

 

Nursing Student Handbook

All enrolled nursing students will be held to the applicable policies in the Nursing Student Handbook. 

 

Transfer Credits

Students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university may be allowed to transfer a maximum of six credit hours into a graduate nursing program. In all cases, course work will be evaluated for equivalence to Loyola requirements; therefore, students must provide course descriptions, course syllabi and/or other supporting materials to assist faculty in the evaluation process. Please see Loyola's transfer of academic credit regulations.

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Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Loyola University New Orleans are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Additionally, the BSN, MSN-FNP and DNP programs are approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 3033
Phone: (404) 679-4500

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
655 K Street NW, Suite 750
 Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 887-6791

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: (225) 755-7500

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Admission to Graduate Programs

The following materials are needed for admission to: 

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post Masters 
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Post BSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

 

Admission to DNP - Post-Masters

Loyola University offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice program for Post MSN-DNP students with two tracks:

  • Nurse Practitioner track: applicants must hold current license and certification as a nurse practitioner in one of the following areas:
    • Adult
    • Family
    • Gerontology
    • Pediatrics
    • Women’s Health
  • Executive Leadership track: applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing and have an interest in Executive Leadership.

Students are admitted as a cohort for this 39+ credit program. The number of credits will be determined by transcript evaluation to give credit for supervised practicum hours taken at the master’s level. This program is online with students coming to campus for one week each year prior to summer classes and prior to graduation to defend their scholarly project.

Admissions materials for this area include: 

  1. A completed application to the DNP program
  2. BSN or equivalent and master’s in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
  3. Official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university attended.
  4. Copies of current, unencumbered RN License and advanced practice license (if applicable) in the state in which all clinical practicums for their program will occur; NP certification (if applicable).
  5. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on earned graduate degree course work.
  6. Minimum of one year’s full-time post-master’s work experience.
  7. Three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for doctoral study, such as former professors.
  8. Two page type-written, double-spaced essay must be submitted online when completing an application, addressing three areas: 1) description of goals for doctoral study, 2) research translation area of interest for the scholarly project, and 3) career goals.
  9. Prior to admission, or as a condition of progression, evidence of completion of a 3 credit hour graduate-level statistics course with an earned grade of C or better prior to NURS 920 Biostatistics.** (credits earned more than five year prior to enrollment will not ordinarily be considered.) Students can take NURS G802 Advanced Statistics and Data Management in summer session at Loyola to satisfy this requirement.
  10. For Nurse Practitioners, evidence of a minimum of 500 supervised practice hours in one area of specialization in the accredited master's level program from which the student graduated.
  11. Upon admission into the program and prior to enrollment in the first course, each student will provide:
    1. Completed Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment, students are required to apply for a certified background review, at their own expense, by a provider designated (http://www.castlebranch.com/) by Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing. 
    2. Documentation of physical examination by a licensed provider
    3. Documentation of immunizations required by the University
    4. Current CPR certification

Each student must have a computer system that complies with Loyola University Blackboard Specification requirements.

A deposit of $500 will be required when a student accepts an offer of admission to the DNP program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition bill after the final drop/add period in the second semester. The deposit will not be refunded for any reason should the applicant subsequently not enroll in the semester authorized for admission.

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Admission to DNP - Post-BSN

Loyola University offers an online Post-BSN-Doctor of Nursing Practice program in a Family Nurse Practitioner track. Students are admitted as a cohort for this 78 credit program. This program is online with a one-week campus orientation required each year and a final campus visit to defend the scholarly project at the conclusion of the program.

Admissions materials for this area include: 

  1. A completed application to the DNP program
  2. BSN from an accredited school of nursing
  3. Official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university attended.
  4. Evidence of a current unencumbered Registered Nurse license
  5. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all course work.
  6. Minimum of one year’s recent full-time nursing work experience.
  7. Three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for doctoral study, such as former professors.
  8. Two page type-written, double-spaced essay must be submitted online when completing an application, addressing three areas: 1) description of goals for doctoral study, 2) research translation area of interest for the scholarly project, and 3) career goals.
  9. Upon admission into the program and prior to enrollment in the first course, each student will provide:
    1. Completed Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment, students are required to apply for a certified background review, at their own expense, by a provider designated (http://www.castlebranch.com/) by Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing. 
    2. Documentation of physical examination by a licensed provider
    3. Documentation of Immunizations required by the University
    4. Current CPR certification

Each student must have a computer system that complies with Loyola University Canvas Specification requirements.

A deposit of $500 will be required when a student accepts an offer of admission to the BSN-DNP program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition bill after the final drop/add period in the second semester. The deposit will not be refunded for any reason should the applicant subsequently not enroll in the semester authorized for admission.

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Admission to MSN Programs

  1. A completed application to the MSN program
  2. A BSN degree from an accredited school
    Applicants with an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can qualify for the Master's program upon successful completion of the Loyola MSN Bridge to Leadership Education in Nursing at a Distance (BLEND) program.
  3. Official transcripts from each college/university attended.
  4. Evidence of a current unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
  5. Evidence of a minimum of one year of recent nursing experience.
  6. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all course work or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 hours in an undergraduate accredited nursing program. For RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all undergraduate work plus a minimum grade of B on each course taken in the Loyola BLEND program.
  7. Three recommendations from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for graduate school, such as former professors, or master’s prepared nursing supervisors.
  8. A well-thought-out, typewritten, double-spaced statement of a maximum of one (1) page in length including the following:
    1. Describe your career experience (including primary area of expertise) and goals.
    2. Describe how a master's degree in the track to which you are applying will facilitate your career goals. 
    3. Your expectations related to the time commitment required for graduate school. 
  9. Prior to admission or as a condition of progression, evidence of completion of a 3 credit hour undergraduate level statistics course with an earned grade of B (83%) or better for all MSN tracks.
  10. Upon admission into the program and prior to enrollment in the first course, each student will provide:
    1. Completed Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment, students are required to apply for a certified background review, at their own expense, by a provider designated (http://www.castlebranch.com/) by Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.
    2. Documentation of physical examination by a licensed provider
    3. Documentation of Immunizations required by the University
    4. Documentation of current CPR certification
    5. Documentation of a valid Registered Nurse License

A deposit of $500 will be required when a student accepts an offer of admission to the MSN FNP program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition bill after the final drop/add period in the second semester. The deposit will not be refunded for any reason should the applicant subsequently not enroll in the semester authorized for admission.

Each student must have a computer system that complies with Loyola University Canvas Specification requirements and a webcam.

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Enrollment Requirements

Prior to beginning courses, the student must provide documentation of an unencumbered current RN license, documentation of a current physical exam, immunization documentation, current CPR certification, a criminal background check, and drug test conducted by the designated third party agency.  All documentation of this type for the Loyola School of Nursing is collected and reviewed by a designated third party agency. CastleBranch (https://mycb.castlebranch.com) for Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.

 

Background Checks

The School of Nursing requires a background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen for all students. The background check includes criminal, residency, fraud and abuse, and sexual offender check. The Loyola School of Nursing employs a third party service to conduct the required background check and drug screen on all accepted students. Accepted students are required to complete the background check online process as defined in their acceptance letter. NOTE: If a student is required to drop their program of study due to the results of this background check and/or drug screen, all tuition and fee charges owed will be assessed for registered courses. Students will receive a copy of their criminal background information from this service. All costs associated with this service are the responsibility of the student. If the student’s enrollment is interrupted for any reason, a new background check must be completed.

 

CPR Certification

Prior to matriculation into the School of Nursing, students must provide proof of successful completion of CPR for Health Care Providers. An educational transcript from an approved health care employer showing the date of prior CPR training is sufficient evidence of course completion. CPR certification must be renewed every two years and documentation of current certification must be provided bi-annually.

 

Immunization Requirements

Documentation of immunization status is required in order to comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 17:170, which sets forth the requirements for immunization and health clearance for schools, including colleges. During a student’s clinical practicum, facilities may require additional health clearance, such as proof of current health insurance. Additional clearance concerns shall be addressed by the student, who will supply documentation pursuant to a particular facility policy. Documentation of immunization series or positive immune titer shall be required for the following:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza
  • Measles (2 doses) 
  • Mumps
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Rubella
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B immunity must be documented by records of three hepatitis B immunizations and a positive hepatitis antibody titer report. The recommended hepatitis B series is three injections, the second being given one month after the first, and the third being given six months after the first. The hepatitis B antibody titer should be drawn 1-5 months after the series is completed but may be drawn at any interval following the completion of the series. Positive titer results at any time are believed to infer lifelong immunity, even if later titers report negative results.

Students who do not have documented immunity to hepatitis B must have received the first two of three hepatitis immunizations in the first series in order to matriculate. The student must continue to provide documentation that the remaining immunizations are being received at the designated intervals in order to continue in clinical courses. If at the end of the series of three immunizations, the student’s titer does not demonstrate immunity to hepatitis B, the series and titer must be repeated. If the titer again does not show immunity, the student will be counseled about lack of immunity and asked to sign a statement acknowledging responsibility for practicing in health care without hepatitis B immunity. Students must inform their clinical preceptor at the facility if this form is signed by the student.  In some circumstances, students may be granted a waiver of the hepatitis B immunity requirement after the first series if they have been counseled about the health risks and have signed a statement of responsibility.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella

Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunity can be documented by:

  • Records of immunizations against measles, mumps, & rubella, varicella
  • Positive results of antibody titers

Tetanus

Tetanus protection is demonstrated by documentation of a tetanus immunization within the previous 10 years (and must be updated every 10 years). Adults, especially health care workers, should receive at least one Tdap vaccine.

Tuberculosis

Students are required to provide evidence of  a two-step tuberculosis (TB) test  unless the student can present documentation of negative annual TB testing over 3 consecutive years prior to enrollment in the program.  Subsequent single step TB testing or a quantum gold blood test is required annually and documentation shall be provided to CBC annually.   If TB testing is positive or contraindicated for any reason, clearance must be obtained from a licensed healthcare provider.

Varicella

Varicella immunity can be documented by:

  • Records of the immunization against Varicella
  • Positive results of a Varicella antibody titer

 

Physical Exam Requirements

Documentation must be submitted to CastleBranch verifying that the student has had a complete physical exam conducted within the past 12 months by a licensed healthcare provider and is free of any condition that would prevent him/her from participating in practicum experience(s) in nursing courses through Loyola University New Orleans.  Attestation of a current physical examination is required prior to the student’s start date of the program and prior to the start of any practicum course. This documentation shall be submitted using the designated attestation form that clearly identifies the name of the provider and their license number.

 

Professional Liability

The University maintains a malpractice insurance policy covering all nursing students during their student clinical practicum hours in a University pre-approved clinical facility or other practice setting. The policy does not cover professional working hours outside of those being completed as a Loyola SON student.

 

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Practicum & Affiliation Agreement Requirements

In order for nursing students in any Loyola nursing program to begin practicum, there must be a valid Affiliation Agreement in place between Loyola University New Orleans and the practicum site. The Loyola Affiliation Agreement form is used by Loyola University New Orleans' School of Nursing in contracting with third-party facilities to offer students nursing experience in real-world healthcare programs. However, healthcare organizations may require use of their own affiliation agreement form. The agreement establishes the relationship between the university and the facility in coordinating the program. Nursing students may not begin their practicum until the Affiliation Agreement has been signed by all required parties at both facilities. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of all clinical hours completed prior to the acceptance of the affiliation agreement and may result in having to repeat the course.

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