Becoming a Nurse in Louisiana: Requirements and Licensing
Louisiana provides excellent opportunities for individuals pursuing a career in the healthcare profession, with high demand and diverse options. This overview explores the steps to become a nurse in the state, with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing setting standards for qualifying programs, requiring degrees at the master’s level or above.
Entry Level Practice Nurses
Stage 1: Choose Your Entry Level Option
Embarking on a nursing career in Louisiana offers two primary pathways. Firstly, aspiring individuals can opt to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by completing a one-year diploma program. Alternatively, they can pursue the path of a Registered Nurse (RN) through either a two-year associate’s degree (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s degree (BSN).
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Stage 2: Complete Your Education Program
In the initial year, LPN candidates focus on fundamental patient care and basic nursing skills. ADN students delve deeper into their second year, exploring specialized courses. The BSN program extends over two additional years, covering advanced topics such as pharmaceutical research, public health policy, or radiology.
Stage 3: Pass the NCLEX Examination
Success in the NCLEX-PN exam qualifies individuals to work as LPNs, while the NCLEX-RN exam opens doors to RN positions. These national exams provide flexibility, allowing professionals to explore opportunities in various states.
Advanced Practice Nurses
Becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) involves specific stages.
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Stage 1: Earn a Graduate Degree
Approved programs, recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, must meet master’s level or higher standards. These programs, nationally accredited, include rigorous coursework, covering advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, health care states management, and diagnostic reasoning. A 500-hour supervised clinical preceptorship is required, with longer durations for specialization.
Stage 2: Become Nationally Certified Before Licensing
National certification agencies, each with its eligibility standards and examination requirements, play a crucial role. The Board recognizes four APRN roles: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Various agencies, acknowledged by the Board, facilitate this certification process.
- NP – Nurse Practitioner
- CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife
- CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- CNS – Clinical Nurse Specialist
The following agencies are recognized by the Board:
- The ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center), which recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner PNP) and the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
- The AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners), which recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP.
- The AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses), which recognize the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
- The NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties) , which recognizes the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).
- The National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses (PNCB), which recognizes the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP).
- The ONCC (Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation), which recognizes the Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS).
- The AMCB (American Midwifery Certification Board), which recognizes the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
- The National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), which recognizes the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
Stage 3 | Apply For Licensure
You can apply for your initial license through the Application for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Initial Licensure by Examination. If you want to add an additional APRN role, you must complete the Request for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Licensure in an Additional APRN Role/Population Focus/Specialty. Finally, if you want to earn your license by endorsement, you must complete the Application for APRN Licensure by Endorsement. Each of these documents requires you to provide different types of documents as well.
To obtain licensure, applicants must undergo a criminal history background check, and they are required to visit their local law enforcement office for fingerprinting. For those pursuing licensure by endorsement, blank FBI fingerprint cards are available in the pack, in case the sheriff’s office doesn’t have them. An alternative option is to utilize the LiveScan facility provided by the Board.
For individuals seeking prescriptive authority, a collaborative agreement with a physician is mandatory. The completed form outlining this agreement must be submitted to the Board for consideration.
During the application process, if there is a pending status, applicants have the option to request a Temporary Permit. This permit grants individuals the opportunity to work for 90 days while awaiting the approval of their license.
Stage 4: Renew Your License Annually, Alongside Your RN License
License renewal occurs annually, and applicants are reminded through email notifications. The renewal process is conveniently conducted online.
In terms of continuous education (CE) requirements, individuals must adhere to the standards established by their national certification agency. Furthermore, those aspiring to maintain prescriptive authority are obligated to fulfill CE requirements, specifically 6 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics.
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