Southern University at New Orleans

Southern University at New Orleans provides a rigorous, community-focused nursing education that prepares students for the challenges of modern healthcare. The primary offering is the traditional four-year BSN. Unlike "bridge" programs for existing nurses, SUNO’s track is built for students starting their medical journey from scratch. The curriculum is divided into two phases: the pre-nursing component (first 31–37 credit hours of general education and sciences) and the professional nursing sequence. Students must master core sciences—including Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology—with a grade of "C" or better before advancing to clinical coursework. The program emphasizes health equity, leadership, and evidence-based practice, ensuring graduates are equipped to serve the diverse population of the Greater New Orleans area.

The program utilizes the SUNO Nursing Simulation Lab, where students engage in hands-on practice with high-fidelity manikins that simulate real-world medical emergencies. This "safe-to-fail" environment allows students to refine their clinical judgment before entering rotations at premier local healthcare sites, including University Medical Center New Orleans and Ochsner Health System. Admission to the clinical sequence is highly competitive; applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (though a 3.0 is often more competitive) and achieve a score of 78% or higher on the HESI A2 entrance exam across multiple categories, including Reading Comprehension, Math, and Chemistry. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and often transition directly into high-demand roles within Louisiana’s public and private hospital systems.

Compared to other New Orleans nursing programs, SUNO stands out for its small cohort sizes and its status as a leading producer of African American nursing professionals in the region. The program was recently granted full CCNE accreditation through 2033, reflecting its commitment to meeting national standards of excellence in nursing education.