Brief Description

Registered nurses (RN) are the largest healthcare occupation and can be considered the backbone of healthcare services. RNs provide and coordinate patient care for both ill and healthy patients.

What do RNs do?

  • Record medical histories
  • Take patient vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc.)
  • Give medicine
  • Work with doctors and other healthcare professionals
  • Teach patients and their family on how to take care of their condition

Settings and specialties RNs can work in:

How do I become a registered nurse?

After high school, there are 3 main ways to become an RN

  • Associates Degree in Nursing
    • 2-year college degree
    • Quickest and minimal degree required
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • 4-year degree
  • Diploma in Nursing
    • 3-year program
    • Hospital-based nursing school

Licensure

  • After completing schooling, students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to start working as a registered nurse

What will I learn in nursing school?

Despite the different routes to become an RN, schooling focuses on anatomy, biology, medicine, nutrition, public health, professionalism, emergency care, psychology, and hands-on experience with patients

Nursing Schools in Louisiana

North Louisiana

  • Bossier Parish Community College
  • Louisiana Delta Community College
  • Louisiana Tech University
  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana
  • Southern University at Shreveport
  • Grambling State University
  • University of Louisiana Monroe

Central Louisiana

  • LSU at Alexandria
  • Louisiana College

Southeast Louisiana

  • Baton Rouge Community College
  • Delgado Community College
  • Fletcher Technical Community College
  • Dillard University
  • Chamberlain University
  • Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
  • Herzing University
  • LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans
  • Loyola University
  • Nicholls State University
  • Southeastern Louisiana University
  • Southern University
  • University of Holy Cross
  • William Carey University

Southwest Louisiana

  • LSU at Eunice
  • South Louisiana Community College
  • Sowela Technical Community College
  • McNeese State University
  • University of Louisiana Lafayette

Data from Louisiana state board of nursing (http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/portals/1/documents/forms/schools.pdf)

Work schedule

  • Full time: 3 12-hour shifts or 5 8-hour shifts per week, and may be on-call on days off
  • In hospitals, RNs are needed around the clock, therefore many work during weekends and on holidays
  • In clinics, schools, or other settings where nurses are not needed around the clock, RNs typically work during normal business hours (9am-5pm).

Salary

Average salary in Louisiana: $62,362

https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/staff-nurse-rni-salary/la

Job Outlook

The job outlook for registered nurses is as fast as average, with a 9% projected increase from 2020-2030.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

Video of registered nurse overview:

Professional Information

American Nurses Association
8515 Georgia Ave., Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3492
1 (800) 284-2378
Website: https://www.nursingworld.org/

Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA)
543 Spanish Town Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 605-3090
Website: https://lsna.nursingnetwork.com/