Loyola University New Orleans Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

What to Expect from the Loyola University New Orleans Online FNP Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the FNP programs must have a current, unrestricted RN license in the state in which they will complete clinicals. Loyola University New Orleans does not charge an application fee. Included in the application should be three letters of recommendation, a description of previous work experience, official transcripts, and proof of an unencumbered RN license.

MSN applicants should submit a statement of purpose addressing the reason for wanting to become a family nurse practitioner. DNP applicants should submit a two-page typed essay that addresses the applicant’s goals for the doctoral program, career aspirations, and the research translation area of interest for the DNP scholarly project.

Upon admission, MSN students must provide a completed certified background check, and documentation of a physical exam by a licensed healthcare provider, current CPR certification, and the required immunization records.

No GRE or GMAT is required. Non-native English speaking applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores. In addition, foreign transcripts will be evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) or the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

• Program Specific Admission Requirements
• Traditional RN to MSN: Hold a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; documentation of at least 1,800 hours of nursing experience in the previous year; a formal interview
• RN to MSN Bridge: Hold a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program plus a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; documentation of at least 1,800 hours of nursing experience in the previous year; a formal interview
• BSN to MSN: Hold a BSN from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; completion of undergraduate statistics with a grade of “B” or better; documentation of at least one year of recent direct patient nursing work experience; a formal interview
• BSN to DNP: Hold a BSN degree from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; documentation of at least one year of recent full-time nursing work experience; a formal web-based or in-person interview

State Restrictions: Loyola University New Orleans accepts students from most states into their MSN and DNP programs. However, students from California, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington are not eligible to complete the programs at this time. In addition, these states require additional steps to complete practicums in their states: Alabama, Delaware, Illinois, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, To be sure of eligibility, applicants should check with the College of Nursing and Health’s School of Nursing. In addition, applicants outside Louisiana should check with their state Board of Nursing to be aware of the practicum requirements in their state while attending an out-of-state university.

Study Plan: The Loyola University New Orleans online BSN to MSN can be completed in eight semesters taking two courses per semester including summers. Start dates land in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Three campus visits are included in the program.

The Traditional RN to MSN program for those without a bachelor’s degree is offered both part-time and full-time. It can be completed in about 3.5 years depending on the number of credits transferred in as well as the number of credits taken per term. Start dates land in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students can transfer in up to 90 credits toward the BSN portion of the program and must earn a total of 120 credits to complete the BSN degree. At this time the BSN degree is granted and students move into the MSN portion of the program.

The RN to MSN Bridge program is offered both part-time and full-time and takes two years to complete on a full-time basis and about four years on a part-time basis. Students complete two bridge courses and then complete the MSN curriculum. Three campus intensives are included. Start dates land in the Fall and Spring.

The BSN to DNP program includes four campus visits and can be completed in a little less than four years including summers. Start dates land in the Fall, Spring, and Summer.

MSN – FNP Curriculum: The online MSN – FNP program comprises 48 credits and requires completion of 720 clinical hours. Courses include Theoretical Foundations and Role; Population Health Management; Advanced Research Methods; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment; Advanced Health Assessment Practicum; Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics; Primary Care of Pediatrics plus Practicum; Primary Care of Adults plus Practicum; Primary Care of Adults and Women’s Health plus Practicum; Gerontology in Primary Care; Integrating Behavioral Health in Primary Care; and Informatics and Finance.

Students may also take the optional electives Advanced Statistics and Data Management and Scientific Writing.

Traditional RN to MSN Curriculum: The Traditional RN to MSN program requires completion of 120 credits toward a BSN degree and 42 MSN – FNP credits. Students can transfer in up to 90 credits toward the BSN degree. Undergraduate courses may include Health Assessment; Nursing Leadership and Promotion of Quality Care; Spirituality in Health and Illness; Research and Evidence-Based Practice; Advanced Topics in Nursing; Issues in Professional Practice; Population Health; Information Management and Patient Care Technology; and Introduction to Healthcare Delivery.

Once the undergraduate portion is completed, students earn a BSN degree and move on to the remaining MSN – FNP coursework including 720 clinical hours and three campus visits.

MSN Bridge (RN to MSN) Curriculum: The MSN Bridge program (RN to MSN – FNP) comprises 54 credits and requires completion of 720 practicum hours. Students take six additional credits as compared to the BSN to MSN degree path. These bridge courses include a seven-week course and a 16-week course covering health promotion, population health, communication, and current nursing issues. After passing these courses with a grade of “B” or higher, students begin the MSN – FNP coursework.

BSN to DNP – FNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP – FNP path comprises 78 credits and requires completion of 1,260 practicum hours. Courses include Theoretical Foundations and Role; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Health Assessment plus Practicum; Advanced Pharmacology; Primary Care Pediatrics plus Practicum; Advanced Research; Primary Care of Adults plus Practicum; Gerontology; Philosophy of Science; Ethics and Social Justice; Epidemiology; Evidence-Based Practice/Translation of Science; Biostatistics; Program Planning and Evaluation; Leadership; Health Policy; Integrated Behavioral Health; Informatics and Finance; Advanced DNP Practicum I-II; and DNP Scholarly Project.

Online Experience: Loyola University New Orleans utilizes Blackboard Learn as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are delivered asynchronously with any synchronous sessions scheduled well in advance. Program elements may include recorded lectures, web conferencing, discussion boards, assignments, and assessments. Loyola online programs include student services such as an online library and bookstore, academic advising, financial advising, career counseling, faculty hours, and round-the-clock technical support.

On-Site Requirements: MSN students come to the New Orleans, LA campus once each Spring during the MSN portion of the program for a total of three visits. This applies to both RN and BSN entry points. DNP students come to campus four times throughout the program including three spring visits and one visit to defend their scholarly project prior to graduation. All other coursework is online and clinical practicums are completed locally.