Hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country are placing more emphasis on highly skilled, quality nursing care. With registered nurses (RNs) making crucial care decisions on a daily basis, it's no wonder why employers in Louisiana are interested in nurses with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. For RNs who only have an Associate's Degree in Nursing, one of the state's many RN to BSN programs can get them where they need to go.
2027 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA - Public 4-Year - ulm.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
University of Louisiana at Monroe's online RN to BSN program is tailored for working registered nurses seeking to advance. The curriculum includes health assessment, gerontology, pharmacology, nursing research, management, and public health, culminating in a capstone project. Students build leadership, evidence-based practice, and community health competencies, preparing for roles in hospital administration, public health nursing, and leadership. No ACT, SAT, or other entrance exam is required. The program offers flexible part-time or full-time pacing, and RNs can receive up to 39 semester credit hours for current licensure, with 120 total credits needed. A minimum 2.0 GPA and prerequisites are required, and dedicated program advisors provide support. This military-friendly program strengthens clinical expertise and opens advanced career pathways.
- No entrance exam required
- 120 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- 39 credit hours awarded for RN licensure
- Proof of RN employment required for practicum
- RN to BSN Program Advisors available
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA - Public 4-Year - mcneese.edu
RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
McNeese State University's RN-to-BSN track is a 100% online degree completion program tailored for registered nurses with an associate degree or nursing diploma. Accredited by the CCNE, it leverages prior clinical experience to cultivate leadership abilities, preparing graduates for roles in hospitals, community health, and other healthcare environments. The curriculum advances nursing theory and practice, while the flexible virtual setup accommodates working professionals. Military-friendly and offering scholarships, the program provides faculty mentorship and a pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The university does not specify ACT/SAT entrance exam requirements for this online RN-to-BSN program, focusing instead on applicants' nursing credentials and licensure.
- CCNE accredited
- Scholarships available
- Offered 100% online
- Prepares for leadership opportunities
- For associate's degree or diploma nurses
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA - Public 4-Year - latech.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Louisiana Tech University delivers its RN to BSN program in a hybrid format, pairing online coursework with flexible clinical experiences in community, leadership, and capstone courses. Designed for registered nurses with an ASN, the curriculum explores population-focused health promotion, interprofessional collaboration, and innovative technology use. Students develop leadership skills for team-based patient care and compile a professional e-portfolio. The program's flat tuition rate of $400 per credit includes no additional fees, and Louisiana residents may apply TOPS scholarships. Prerequisites and a capstone are required, with financial aid available. Careers span hospitals, ambulatory care, home health, and long-term care. No ACT or SAT requirements are mentioned for this bachelor's-level online program.
- $400 per credit
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- 100% online course offerings
- Flexible clinical experiences
- Interdisciplinary approach
- Prepares for leadership roles in healthcare
- Flat fee per credit hour
Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA - Public 4-Year - nicholls.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN Articulation
Online Learning - Visit Website
Nicholls State University's online RN to BSN articulation program is designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement. While no ACT or SAT is needed, applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam. The curriculum builds on existing RN knowledge, covering professional nursing practice, community health, nursing leadership, and evidence-based research. Core courses include Nursing Research, Community Health Nursing, and Nursing Leadership/Management. Graduates prepare for roles in healthcare administration, public health, and clinical leadership. This CCNE-accredited program, part of the Thibodaux Regional Health System School of Nursing in Thibodaux, Louisiana, offers flexible online coursework and awards credit for prior RN knowledge.
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- RN to BSN articulation for RNs
- Credit awarded for existing RN knowledge
- TEAS exam required for admission
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA - Public 4-Year - louisiana.edu
RN to BSN - RN to BSN Online
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's online RN to BSN program is crafted for registered nurses holding an associate degree or diploma. The fully online curriculum features accelerated eight-week courses, allowing students to balance work and study. It builds on existing clinical experience to strengthen leadership, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice skills. Career opportunities after graduation include nursing management, community health, and education. With affordable tuition and a practical approach, the program offers a flexible route to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program details do not list ACT or SAT entrance exam requirements, focusing instead on applicants' nursing credentials and experience.
- 100% online format
- 8-week accelerated courses
- Affordable tuition
- Earn degree while working
- Designed for associate degree RNs
- Hands-on experiences
- Advance your nursing career
Fast & Affordable Program Options
RN to BSN programs are often sought out by nurses who have an associate’s degree and several years in the nursing field. These fast-paced bridge programs are particularly attractive for their speed and affordability as they allow students to graduate in not 4 years (as they would in a traditional BSN program) but in only two years, or even less. This not only saves students time in their busy schedules, but it also allows them to save money due to the time it takes to graduate.
Fastest Online RN to BSN Degree Options
As mentioned, most RN to BSN programs allow students to graduate in half the time compared to a traditional BSN program, but it’s conceivable that you may be able to graduate even sooner depending on the program an how many credits you’ll be transferring into the program. Below are a few great options for the quickest RN to BSN programs in Louisiana that take less than two years:
| School | Degree Name | Length |
| Louisiana State University | RN to BSN | 1 Year |
| University of Louisiana | Online RN to BSN | 1 year |
Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.
Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?
While most RN to BSN programs range between one and two years in length, there are some that can be completed in as little as six months — though these programs are rare, and aren’t found in Louisiana. Additionally, to be considered for an RN to BSN program this short, you must have at least an associate’s degree and a bulk of transferable credits.
Affordable Online RN to BSN Options
For some students, the benefit of saving money on their education outweighs the benefit of the timeliness of an RN to BSN program. Spending less time in the classroom means that your financial obligation to your chosen program will be relatively small compared to a traditional 4-year BSN program. Furthermore, the affordability of an RN to BSN program may be further multiplied by residency status (depending on the school) or if you receive your education primarily online. Below are a few of the most affordable options in the state.
| School | Degree Name | Tuition Cost |
| Southern University New Orleans | Online RN to BSN | $7,490 per year (Resident) $13,384 per year (Non-Resident) |
| Louisiana State University | RN to BSN | $11,954 per year (Resident) $28,631 per year (Non-Resident) |
Learn more about the most Affordable RN to BSN Degrees.
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Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs
Advancing a nursing career via an RN to BSN program starts with gaining admission to a great school. While entrance requirements may differ from school to school, the following is a sample of some of the typical requirements that accredited schools in the state list:
- Must have earned an Associate's Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university
- Must have completed all prerequisite courses
- Minimum GPA of 2.8
- Unencumbered RN license in the state of Louisiana
Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?
Once prerequisite and general education courses are completed, RN to BSN students take specialized upper-division nursing courses as part of the curriculum. LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing provides the following nursing courses as part of their program:
- NURS 3375: Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice
- NURS 4357: Population-Focused Nursing: Theory
- NURS 3370: Research in Nursing
- NURS 4379: Leadership in the Health Care System
- NURS 4346: Gerontology
2026 List of RN to BSN Programs in Louisiana
Looking for the best RN to BSN programs in your state? Check out our listings below:
Find RN to BSN Programs By City:
Browse Our List of Programs
Alexandria, LA
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- 10-Month program
- 100% online format
- Low student-faculty ratio
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- Prepares for advanced nursing roles
- Accredited by ACEN
- Approved by Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Baton Rouge, LA
Southern University and A & M College
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program
Online Learning - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 100% online coursework
- CCNE accredited
- Articulation agreements with 9 ADN programs
- Designed for working RNs
- Real-world nursing faculty
Grambling, LA
Grambling State University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission accredited
- 2-Semester program
- Complete in two semesters
- Starts fall/spring
- Prerequisite courses required
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Louisiana RN license required
Hammond, LA
Southeastern Louisiana University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- $9,500 total program tuition
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Faculty coach assigned
- 8-week course terms
Jefferson, LA
Chamberlain University-Louisiana
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Option
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- No entrance exam required
- $635 per credit
- Complete in as few as 10 months
- 122 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- 12 clinical hours
Lafayette, LA
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Online
Online Learning - Website
- 100% online format
- 8-week accelerated courses
- Affordable tuition
- Earn degree while working
- Designed for associate degree RNs
- Hands-on experiences
- Advance your nursing career
Lake Charles, LA
McNeese State University
- RN to BSN - RN-to-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Scholarships available
- Offered 100% online
- Prepares for leadership opportunities
- For associate's degree or diploma nurses
Monroe, LA
University of Louisiana at Monroe
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- No entrance exam required
- 120 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- 39 credit hours awarded for RN licensure
- Proof of RN employment required for practicum
Natchitoches, LA
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- RN to BSN - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Website
- $249 per credit
- 12-Month program
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- 100% online delivery
- No additional fees
- 8- and 16-week courses
- Articulation with 11 community colleges
- Hands-on learning labs
New Orleans, LA
Dillard University
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- ACEN accredited
- 120 total credit hours
- Hybrid online and on-campus instruction
- Transfer up to 57 credit hours
- Service learning embedded in curriculum
- Louisiana's oldest HBCU
- Dedicated nursing advisors
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Campus Based - Website
- 1-Year program
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Based on principles of adult education
- Focused on skills RNs bring to education
- Offered in New Orleans and Shreveport
- Requires unencumbered Louisiana RN license
Ruston, LA
Louisiana Tech University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- $400 per credit
- Prerequisite courses required
- Capstone required
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- 100% online course offerings
- Flexible clinical experiences
- Interdisciplinary approach
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport
- RN to BSN - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) Program
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 12-Month program
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- Off-campus instructional site for LSU New Orleans
- For RNs with associate degrees or diplomas
- In-person and synchronous online courses
Thibodaux, LA
Nicholls State University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN Articulation
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- RN to BSN articulation for RNs