Southeastern Louisiana University

What you'll study

The BSN curriculum combines foundational science and general education with an upper-division nursing sequence focused on assessment, clinical decision-making and professional roles. Course work covers anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology alongside core nursing topics and practice-based learning.

• Foundations and sciences: human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition and lifespan growth and development.
• Core nursing practice: fundamentals of nursing, health assessment, medical–surgical nursing, maternal–child health, paediatrics, mental health and community/public health nursing.
• Clinical nursing track: advanced clinical practicum, critical care concepts, complex case management and simulation-based skills development in realistic clinical scenarios.
• Nursing administration track: courses in leadership and management, healthcare systems, quality improvement, finance and legal/ethical issues in nursing practice.
• Nursing research: evidence-based practice, research methods, statistics for health sciences, research application and an applied research or capstone project linking practice with inquiry.
• Capstone and clinical practicum: supervised clinical placements across acute, community and specialised settings, a culminating capstone or practicum integrating clinical, administrative or research competencies.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically enter via a two-stage pathway: completion of lower-division prerequisites followed by admission to the upper-division nursing sequence. Candidates should review the School of Nursing application procedures for current details.

• High school diploma or equivalent (for traditional pre-licensure applicants) or an active RN licence for RN-to-BSN pathways.
• Completion of required prerequisite coursework, commonly including college-level anatomy & physiology, microbiology, chemistry, English composition and statistics.
• Competitive cumulative college GPA; programmes commonly expect a solid academic record in prerequisite courses.
• Admission often requires submission of transcripts, a personal statement and references. An entrance assessment (for example, a standardised nursing entrance exam) may be required by the School of Nursing.
• Successful applicants must meet clinical clearance requirements such as background checks, immunisations and any health screening prior to practicum placements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX‑RN and to enter practice as registered nurses across a variety of settings. The BSN provides a foundation for both clinical and non-clinical career paths.

• Clinical practice: staff nurse roles in hospitals (medical–surgical, critical care, emergency, maternal–child), community health and long-term care.
• Leadership and management: charge nurse, unit manager, clinical coordinator and roles in nursing administration following experience and/or further study.
• Research and quality improvement: positions supporting evidence-based practice, clinical trials coordination, quality assurance and outcome measurement; the research track prepares graduates to contribute to applied nursing research.
• Education and public health: opportunities in patient education, community health programmes, school nursing and, with additional qualifications, nurse educator roles.
• Further study: many graduates pursue graduate education (MSN, DNP, public health or healthcare administration) to specialise as advanced practice nurses, nurse leaders or researchers.

Why study at Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University offers a regionally focused nursing programme that emphasises hands-on learning, clinical experience and faculty mentorship. The School of Nursing places students into supervised clinical rotations across the Hammond and southeast Louisiana healthcare community, helping students build practical skills and professional networks.

• Practical learning: integration of clinical placements with simulation-based training to develop assessment and technical skills in realistic scenarios.
• Supportive environment: relatively small cohorts, accessible faculty and advising to guide students through academics, clinical clearance and licensure preparation.
• Career preparation: curriculum aligned with current nursing practice and opportunities to pursue administration, research or advanced clinical pathways after graduation.
• Community connections: established relationships with regional healthcare providers for practicum placements and workforce transitions within southeast Louisiana.