Accrediting Organizations
Loyola University New Orleans and all of its degree programs are accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Loyola's undergraduate and master's nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education (ACEN). The Post-BSN-DNP and Post MSN-DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Additionally, the Post-BSN to DNP program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 3033
Phone: (404) 679-4500
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 887-6791
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: (225) 755-7500
Texas Workforce Commission Compliance
The Texas Workforce Commission has approved Loyola's Programs
The School of Nursing programs and Loyola are not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code.
Admission Requirements for MSN Health Care Systems Management (HCSM) Program
A completed application to our MSN program - (Application fee $40)
A BSN degree from an accredited school
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field in conjunction can qualify for the HCSM program upon successful completion of the Loyola MSN Bridge to Leadership Education in Nursing at a Distance (BLEND) program.
Official transcripts from each college/university attended.
A current unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
A minimum of one year of recent experience.
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all course work or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 hours in an undergraduate accredited nursing program. For RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all undergraduate work plus a minimum grade of B on each course taken in the Loyola BLEND program.
Three recommendations from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for graduate school, such as former professors or master’s prepared nursing supervisors.
A well-thought-out, type-written, double-spaced statement of approximately three-quarters to one page in length describing career goals and interest in graduate education.
Prior to admission or as a condition of progression, evidence of completion of a 3 credit hour undergraduate level statistics course with an earned grade of C or better prior to NURS 735.
A formal interview with one or more graduate faculty at Loyola.
Upon admission into the program: Certified Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment, you are required to apply for a certified background review, at your expense, by a provider designated (www.certifiedbackground.com) by Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.
Admission Requirements for RN - MSN Option in the MSN - Health Care Systems Management (HCSM) Program
Graduates of associate degree and diploma nursing programs may apply for admission to the RN - MSN option for the MSN - HCSM program. In this option, students complete requirements for both the BSN and MSN degrees.
Transfer Credits
Students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university may be allowed to transfer a maximum of six credit hours into the MSN program. In all cases, course work will be evaluated for equivalence to Loyola requirements; therefore, students must provide course descriptions and/or other supporting materials to assist faculty in the evaluation process.
Admission Requirements for Post MSN - DNP Program
Loyola University offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice program for Post MSN-DNP students in two tracks:
1. Nurse Practitioner track: applicants must hold current license and certification as a nurse practitioner in one of the following areas:
2. Executive Leadership track: applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing and have an interest in Executive Leadership.
Students are admitted as a cohort for this 39+ credit program. The number of credits will be determined by transcript evaluation to give credit for supervised practice hours taken at the master’s level. This program is online with students coming to campus for one week each year prior to summer classes and prior to graduation to defend their capstone project.
A completed application to our DNP program - (Application fee $75)
BSN or equivalent and master’s in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
Official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university attended.
Copies of current, unencumbered RN License and advanced practice license (if applicable) in the state in which all clinical practicums for their program will occur; NP certification (if applicable).
Cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher on earned graduate degree course work.
Minimum of one year’s recent post-master’s work experience.
Three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for doctoral study, such as former professors.
Copy of a current Basic Cardio Life Support (BCLS).
Two page type-written, double-spaced essay must be submitted online when filling out an application, addressing three areas: 1) description of goals for doctoral study, 2) research translation area of interest for the capstone project, and 3) career goals.
A formal in-person or web-based interview with one or more Loyola School of Nursing faculty members. Applicants are required to have all necessary equipment in order to complete the web-based interview (i.e. webcams, speakers & microphone if needed).
Prior to admission or as a condition of progression, evidence of completion of a 3 credit hour graduate-level statistics course with an earned grade of C or better prior to NURS 920 Biostatistics.** (credits earned more than five year prior to enrollment will not ordinarily be considered.)
Evidence of a minimum of 500 supervised practice hours in one area of specialization in the accredited master's level program from which you graduated
Upon admission into the program: Certified Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment, you are required to apply for a certified background review, at your expense, by a provider designated (www.certifiedbackground.com) by Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.
Computer system that complies with Loyola University Blackboard Specification requirements
A deposit of $500 will be required when a student accepts an offer of admission to the DNP program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition bill after the final drop/add period in the second semester. The deposit will not be refunded for any reason should the applicant subsequently not enroll in the semester authorized for admission.
Transfer Credits
Students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university may be allowed to transfer up to six credits into the DNP program upon approval. In all cases course work will be evaluated for equivalency to Loyola requirements; therefore students must provide course descriptions and syllabus to assist faculty in the evaluation process.
Admission Requirements for Post BSN - DNP Program
Loyola University offers an online Post-BSN-Doctor of Nursing Practice program in a Family Nurse Practitioner track.
Students are admitted as a cohort for this 78 credit program. This program is online with a one-week campus orientation required each year and a campus visit to defend the capstone project at the conclusion of the program.
A deposit of $500 will be required when a student accepts an offer of admission to the DNP program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition bill after the final drop/add period in the second semester. The deposit will not be refunded for any reason should the applicant subsequently not enroll in the semester authorized for admission.
Student Progression
Students must maintain a cumulative of 3.0 GPA and may not earn a grade below B in any course to progress in the curriculum. Only DNP courses are calculated for the GPA.
Graduation Criteria
Students are eligible for graduation upon completion of the 78 credit Post-BSN DNP curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students are required to complete the degree within five years of the first term of enrollment.
Transfer Credits
Students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university may be allowed to transfer up to six credits into the DNP program upon approval. In all cases course work will be evaluated for equivalency to Loyola requirements; therefore students must provide course descriptions and syllabus to assist faculty in the evaluation process.
Licensure Requirements
Each student must sign a declaration stating that she/he has a current, unencumbered, unrestricted, and valid registered nurse license and there are no grounds for disciplinary proceedings. If at any point during the program a student’s RN license becomes encumbered or restricted, the student is obligated to immediately inform the director of the School of Nursing.
The Loyola Affiliation Agreement is used by Loyola University New Orleans' School of Nursing in contracting with third-party facilities to offer students nursing experience in real-world healthcare programs. The agreement establishes the relationship between the university and the facility in coordinating the program.
In order for nursing students to begin their practicum, there must be a valid Affiliation Agreement in place between Loyola University New Orleans and the practicum site. Nursing students may not begin their practicum until the Affiliation Agreement has been signed by all required parties at both facilities. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of all clinical hours completed prior to the acceptance of the affiliation agreement and may result in having to repeat the course.
Registered Nurse Licensure, Immunization, CPR and Background Check Requirements
Prior to beginning courses, the student must provide documentation of an unencumbered current RN license, documentation of a current physical exam, immunization documentation, current CPR certification, and a criminal background check conducted by the designated third party agency. All documentation of this type for the Loyola School of Nursing is collected and reviewed by a designated third party agency Certified Background.Com(CBC) (www.certifiedbackground.com) for Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.
Physical exam
Documentation must be submitted to CBC verifying that the student has has had a complete physical exam conducted within the past 12 months by a licensed healthcare provider and is free of any condition that would prevent him/her from participating in practicum experience(s) in nursing courses through Loyola University New Orleans.. Attestation of a current physical examination is required prior to the student’s start date of the program and prior to the start of any practicum course. This documentation shall be submitted using the designated attestation form that clearly identifies the name of the provider and their license number.
Immunization Requirements
Documentation of immunization status is required in order to comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 17:170, which sets forth the requirements for immunization and health clearance for schools, including colleges. During a student’s clinical practicum, facilities may require additional health clearance, such as proof of current health insurance. Additional clearance concerns shall be addressed by the student, who will supply documentation pursuant to a particular facility policy. Documentation of immunization series or positive immune titer shall be required for the following:
Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunity can be documented by:
Tetanus protection is demonstrated by documentation of a tetanus immunization within the previous 10 years (and must be updated every 10 years). Adults, especially health care workers, should receive at least one TDap vaccine.
Varicella immunity can be documented by:
Hepatitis B immunity must be documented by records of three hepatitis B immunizations and a positive hepatitis antibody titer report. The recommended hepatitis B series is three shots, the second shot being given one month after the first, and the third shot being given six months after the first. The hepatitis B antibody titer should be drawn 1-5 months after the series is completed but may be drawn at any interval following the completion of the series. Positive titer results at any time are believed to infer lifelong immunity, even if later titers report negative results.
Students who do not have documented immunity to hepatitis B must have received the first two of three hepatitis immunizations in the first series in order to matriculate. The student must continue to provide documentation that the remaining immunizations are being received at the designated intervals in order to continue in clinical courses. If at the end of the series of three immunizations, the student’s titer does not demonstrate immunity to hepatitis B, the series and titer must be repeated. If the titer again does not show immunity, the student will be counseled about lack of immunity and asked to sign a statement acknowledging responsibility for practicing in health care without hepatitis B immunity. Students must inform their clinical preceptor at the facility if this form is signed by the student. In some circumstances, students may be granted a waiver of the hepatitis B immunity requirement after the first series if they have been counseled about the health risks and have signed a statement of responsibility.
Tuberculosis –– Students are required to provide evidence of a two-step tuberculosis (TB) test unless the student can present documentation of negative annual TB testing over 3 consecutive years prior to enrollment in the program. Subsequent single step TB testing or a quantum gold blood test is required annually. and documentation shall be provided to CBC annually. If TB testing is positive or contraindicated for any reason, clearance must be obtained from a licensed healthcare provider.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Prior to matriculation into the School of Nursing, students must provide proof of successful completion of CPR for Health Care Providers. An educational transcript from an approved health care employer showing the date of prior CPR training is sufficient evidence of course completion. CPR certification must be renewed every two years and documentation of current certification must be provided bi-annually.
Professional Liability
The University SON retains a malpractice insurance policy covering all nursing students during their student clinical practicum hours in a University pre- approved clinical facility or medical practice. The policy does not cover professional working hours outside of those completed as a Loyola SON student
Background Checks
The School of Nursing requires a background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen for all nursing students. The background check includes criminal, residency, fraud and abuse, sexual offender and a three-year employment verification check. The Loyola School of Nursing employs a third party service to conduct the required background check and drug screen on all accepted students. Accepted students are required to complete the background check online process as defined in their acceptance letter. NOTE: If a student is required to drop their program of study due to the results of this background check and/or drug screen, all tuition and fee charges owed will be assessed as appropriate. Students will receive a copy of their criminal background information from this service. All costs associated with this service are the responsibility of the student. If the student’s enrollment is interrupted for any reason, a new background check must be completed.