According to the Louisiana Board of Regents, there will be a shortfall of approximately 6,000 registered nurses by 2030. Other research has found that most nurses spend only two to three years in their positions before leaving, and nurses are leaving the profession at a rate of 3:1.
The nursing shortage is a nation-wide problem, and the causes are complex. Solutions may lie not only in attracting new nurses to the professional but also improving working conditions to boost retention.
DNP-prepared nurses can help find solutions to the nursing shortage in many ways. These professionals can become leaders at the bedside, educate the next generation of nurses in the classroom, or work to change policy to try to keep people in nursing. In Louisiana, there are a variety of DNP programs to choose from; we detail them below.
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DNP Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana has a number of DNP programs with entry points for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses. There are various specialties to choose from, allowing nurses to choose from areas that both interest them and allow them to make an impact.
According to the accrediting bodies (the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), all DNP programs require 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours. Hours accumulated during MSN programs count toward this total. The hours included in the summaries below are the minimum number of hours students can accrue in each program, but many offer additional hours to students as needed.
Louisiana MSN to DNP Programs
While most programs are online, students who are interested in a more traditional classroom experience should consider the MSN to DNP track at Southern University and A&M College.
Southern University and A&M College
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: 32
Clinical Hours: 500
Tuition: $997 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP program at Southern University and A&M College is 32 credits, consisting of six hours of core courses, nine graduate-level research courses, and 17 hours of focus study courses. In this program, students complete 500 practice hours, which includes the completion of a DNP Capstone project. The program can be completed in one year.
Online DNP Programs in Louisiana
Online programs are a flexible option for nurses who intend to continue working during their DNP education. There are multiple options for both BSN- and MSN-prepare nurses.
Louisiana Online BSN to DNP Programs
Louisiana offers three BSN to DNP programs with specializations like leadership and public health. We also cover the MSN programs offered by the schools below.
Herzing University-New Orleans
- Metairie, Louisiana
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $755 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Herzing University offers two DNP programs. The BSN to DNP Nursing Leadership and Administration track is a 62-credit program that takes 28 months to complete. Classes are 100% online, though hands-on clinical experiences and the completion of a DNP project are also required.
The MSN to DNP is a 32-credit program with online classes and an independent DNP project. Students do not need to worry about finding preceptors as the DNP project is facilitated by Herzing’s Project Chair. Students can complete this program in 20 months.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Campus
Modality: On campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1020
Tuition: $357 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
LSU Health offers two DNP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses. The BSN to DNP Executive Nurse Leader program is 80 credits, and the BSN to DNP Public Health/Community Health is 84 credits, both with 1020 practicum hours. Each program takes three years to complete. Core courses are held Monday through Saturday, and practicum experiences may be held any day of the week, including evenings and nights.
Louisiana Online MSN to DNP Programs
There are three general MSN to DNP programs in Louisiana, one at Loyola University and Southeastern Louisiana University. While both of these programs are primarily online, they have very different in-person requirements.
Loyola University New Orleans
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 39
Clinical Hours: 540
Tuition: $860 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Loyola University’s MSN to DNP program is for nurses with an MSN in any specialty. This track is 39 credits, but students may need to take additional credits to meet the 1,000-hour clinical requirement, depending on how many hours they accumulated in their master’s programs. The DNP program at Loyola has a minimum of 540 scholarly project hours. How long it takes to complete the program depends on the semester the student starts the program. Those who start in the summer semester can finish in six semesters or two years. Those who start in the fall and spring take a little longer, completing eight semesters and seven semesters, respectively.
Southeastern Louisiana University
- Hammond, Louisiana
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 39
Clinical Hours: 450
Tuition: $286 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP track at Southeastern Louisiana University is 39 credits and 450 residency hours, but students who need more hours to complete the 1,000-hour requirement can take additional credits. Classes are primarily only, but students are required to come to campus several times throughout the program for orientation and defense of their DNP project. Full-time students can complete the program in four semesters or a little over a year; part-time students can take six to eight semesters.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Lafayette, Louisiana
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: 39
Clinical Hours: 420
Tuition: $918.42 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP track at University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a 39-credit program with 420 hours built-in, but students can take additional credits to complete the 1,000-hour requirement. This program begins every fall and takes two years to complete. Didactic courses are online, but students must come to campus several times throughout the program, including orientation at the start of the program, residency courses, and for DNP project presentation at the end of the program.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Louisiana
The lengths of these programs can vary depending on previous education, part- or full-time enrollment, and how many hours the student needs to complete. Generally, though, if you want to graduate in as little time as possible, consider the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
The BSN to DNP Nursing Leadership and Administration at Herzing University-New Orleans can be completed in as little as 28 months.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The shortest program is at Herzing University-New Orleans. The MSN to DNP here can be completed in as little as 20 months.
Best DNP Programs in Louisiana
The best DNP program in Louisiana can vary depending on what you’re looking for, but there are some unique programs to consider. The BSN to DNP Executive Nurse Leader and the BSN to DNP Public Health/Community Health at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans offer nurses a chance to choose from two very different but equally interesting options. The MSN to DNP at Southern University and A&M College also stands out because learning takes place primarily in-person, which is somewhat rare with so many excellent online programs being available.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Louisiana
It can be difficult to determine which program is the cheapest. Every college and university has their own fees and additional costs, some of which can be quite expensive. Looking at only the cost per credit, though, Southeastern Louisiana University is the most affordable at Hammond, Louisiana $286 per credit + fees. Next is Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans at $357 per credit + fees.