Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans provides a high-caliber nursing education that bridges the gap between liberal arts and advanced medical science. The flagship traditional BSN is a four-year, on-campus program where students are admitted directly into the nursing track as freshmen. For those with a prior non-nursing degree, Loyola offers a 17-month hybrid Accelerated BSN (ABSN) that combines synchronous online learning with intensive on-campus simulations. At the graduate level, Loyola is a leader in advanced practice, offering 100% online MSN and DNP tracks focused on the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty, as well as Nurse-Midwifery and Executive Leadership. The undergraduate curriculum requires 120 credits, integrating Jesuit ethics with core nursing competencies in population health, mental health, and critical care.

The program is defined by its deep clinical integration with Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest integrated healthcare system. Through the "Ochsner Scholars" initiative, nursing students can receive tuition assistance in exchange for a commitment to work within the Ochsner system after graduation. On-campus, students train in the Loyola Ochsner Nursing Simulation Lab, a 6,600-square-foot facility opened in 2022. The lab features high-fidelity manikins that replicate human physiological responses and "wearable simulators" that allow student actors to mimic live-birth scenarios or chronic conditions. Clinical rotations are guaranteed at Ochsner facilities, ensuring students never face the placement delays common in other urban programs. This rigorous training has historically led to high outcomes, with recent state-wide NCLEX-RN pass rates for Louisiana institutions averaging above 95%.

Compared to other New Orleans programs, Loyola stands out for its small didactic class sizes (averaging 15 students) and its 8:1 clinical student-to-faculty ratio. The program also offers a unique "BLEND" (RN-to-MSN) option for experienced nurses without a BSN, allowing them to bridge directly into advanced practice roles. As a Jesuit institution, Loyola's nursing graduates are specifically trained to advocate for social justice and address the root causes of health disparities in the Gulf South region.