Department of Nursing

Chair: Dr. Patricia M. Prechter, RN, MSN, Ed D; Professor of Nursing

Pre-Licensure Program

The Department of Nursing offers a four-year program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. The graduate is eligible to apply to write NCLEX-RN (the examination for licensure for a registered nurse).

Description of Program

During the freshman year, students are expected to complete many of the core courses. Students may be admitted to the Department of Nursing for the fall semester of their sophomore year. During this semester the students enroll in two non-clinical Nursing courses and complete most of the core and science courses that are the foundation of the Nursing program. Nursing courses are serial and are concentrated at the junior and senior level of the program. A practicum is required in each clinical Nursing course.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program in Nursing, the graduate will be able to

  1. Practice professional nursing within the scope of a diverse, global society;
  2. Manage a plan of care based on the nursing process to provide safe, holistic, cost- effective, quality, patient-centered care;
  3. Demonstrate the ability to engage in critical thinking and decision-making within the scope of professional, legal, and ethical standards;
  4. Evaluate research in nursing and the related disciplines for its applicability to nursing practice and providing evidence-based nursing care; 
  5. Improve healthcare delivery by practicing leadership and management skills and by collaborating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team;
  6.  Demonstrate the advocacy role within the Christian perspective of respect for the uniqueness, dignity, and worth of the patient and others;
  7.  Formulate strategies for continuous quality improvement of health care delivery and advancement of professional nursing as a practice discipline; and
  8.  Integrate emerging technologies to utilize resources, manage information, and provide patient care.

Degree Offered