Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

Nursing

Accredited by CCNE, McNeese's bachelor's degree in nursing program boasts a 98% first time passage rate for students taking the NCLEX nurse licensing exam.

Program Highlights

BSN Degree Program Highlights

Approved by the Louisiana State Boarding of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), McNeese’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students to enter the profession as skilled, compassionate and efficient caregivers. Our curriculum gives BSN students a strong foundational knowledge in human anatomy and physiology, mental health, pharmacology, leadership, medical ethics and more. In addition, BSN students receive extensive experience in the field as part of their course of study by working directly with patients and healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical settings.

A challenging BSN program that delivers results

McNeese’s rigorous program fully prepares BSN students to succeed. To become a practicing nurse, all students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). With a first-time passage rate of 98%, McNeese nursing students earn their licenses at a rate that far exceeds national and state averages.

At a Glance

Degree Type: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

Program Length: 4 years (120 credit hours)

Availability: in person

Program overview

Explore More for BSN Majors

McNeese offers students a multidisciplinary learning experience and the chance to work one-on-one with faculty. Other benefits include:

Comprehensive Curriculum:

Starting in their fourth semester, nursing majors begin taking nursing courses that expose them to a variety of hospital settings, including a six-week rotation in a mental health unit or facility, a six-week rotation in a medical-surgical unit, a six-week rotation in obstetrics and a three-week rotation in a community health setting. This allows BSN students to interact with a range of patients, get experience providing healthcare in many settings and forms and determine which area they would like to focus their course of study in.

Hands-on Experience:

Nursing majors receive extensive hands-on experience through a six-week perceptorship at a local hospital. Working one-on-one with a professional nursing mentor, BSN students have the opportunity to observe a variety of real-world nursing practices and skills in a clinical setting. Mentors also supervise as students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to treat a variety of patients with differing health care needs.

State-of-the-Art Facilities:

The College of Nursing and Health Professions, housed in Hardtner Hall at McNeese, has three clinical laboratories that mimic hospital settings. Equipment in these labs includes high-tech hospital beds; low-fidelity mannequins, which students use to practice wound care, catheter placement, head-to-toe assessments, IV placement and more; and high-fidelity mannequins, where students can practice patient interactions, labor and delivery and in-depth physical examinations, including listening to respiratory, pulmonary and abdominal sounds. McNeese also has virtual simulation tools that students can use to practice a number of different nursing procedures.

Experienced Faculty:

The faculty in the Department of Undergraduate Nursing is composed of highly qualified nurses and health professionals that bring their knowledge and career experience into the classroom. Several faculty members are Certified Nurse Educators and Certified Healthcare Simulation Educators and are involved in healthcare research. All faculty receive continued training in their fields of expertise to ensure their skills are current and relevant.

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Other Degree Program Options

RN-to-BSN

If you already have an associate's degree in nursing but want to pursue a bachelor's degree, the RN-to-BSN program is for you. Offered 100% online, this degree prepares you to pursue more opportunities in the nursing field and higher salary positions.

RN-to-BSN Program
Careers and Opportunities

What Can You Do with a Nursing Degree?

Due to an increased emphasis on preventative care, growing rates of chronic conditions and an aging population, demand for nurses is expected to grow 15 percent through 2026—much faster than the average for other occupations. Nursing graduates can also continue on to graduate school to specialize their skillsets and advance their careers:

Graduate Schools or Programs

Job Titles

  • Assistant Healthcare Facility Administrator
  • Behavioral Health Nurse
  • Cardiology Nurse
  • Client Care Manager
  • Health Administrative Coordinator
  • Health Promotion Specialist
  • Home Health Nurse
  • Intensive Care Nurse
  • Medical Practice Manager
  • Medical Scribe
  • Occupational Health Nurse
  • Oncology Nurse
  • Pediatric Nurse
  • Residency Coordinator
  • School Nurse

Scholarships Available

Both privately funded and professional organization scholarships are available to nursing majors. In addition, scholarships are awarded annually to McNeese undergraduate nursing students based on faculty recommendations, high GPAs and other criteria. Contact the Scholarships Office to find out more.

Student Nurses Association

McNeese’s Student Nurses Association is a vibrant on-campus community for nursing majors. Every semester, the association brings in guest speakers from a variety of nursing fields to give BSN students a glimpse into employment opportunities they have after graduation. Student chapter officers also have the opportunity to visit the Louisiana Association of Student Nurses convention in October and connect with local leaders in the field.

Student Organizations

In addition to the Student Nurses Association, there are a number of other organizations nursing majors can join. Housed in the College of Nursing, Be the Match is open to students in all majors. Students who qualify may also join the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honors Society chapter at McNeese.