School of Nursing

Leading with Care: A Note from the Dean

Welcome to the School of Nursing,

Since its inception more than 90 years ago, the School of Nursing has been dedicated to the educational development of professional nurses within a climate of honesty, respect, inquiry, creativity and collaboration – a philosophy that flows directly from the mission of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.

We offer degrees at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. Our faculty believe that learning is an active, student-centered process that involves both formal education and life experiences providing opportunities for each individual to develop to his/her greatest potential.

Sincerely,

Amy Hall, Ph.D., R.N., CNE

Dean, School of Nursing

Phone: 225-526-1790

Email: Amy.Hall@franu.edu

Nursing Degrees for Future Leaders

For many, nursing is more than a job — it’s a vocation, a calling to serve others with grace, compassion and a dedication to evidence-based best practices. At FranU, we offer three distinct nursing degree paths designed to prepare you for leadership in healthcare. Our curriculum integrates service-learning, giving students opportunities to partner with the community and address real needs through volunteering, coursework and clinical experiences.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Students gain a strong generalist nurse foundation and prepare for the licensure exam in a supportive environment as they pursue one of our two nursing bachelor’s degree pathways. The pre-licensure nursing program is ideal for those who don’t currently hold a bachelor’s degree, while the accelerated nursing program is suitable for students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

Traditional Pre-Licensure BSN Track

This 4-year track is designed to deliver a holistic education, creating well-rounded nurses who consider the whole person when treating patients.

Through clinical immersion and service-learning opportunities, students are taught to provide top-quality care and graduate ready for the realities of the nursing profession. This track prepares students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), an exam required to become a registered nurse.

Accelerated Pre-Licensure Track

The Accelerated BSN Track allows students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field to earn a BSN degree in 16 months. In this track, students will build on their foundation in the arts and sciences, forming them into self-directed nurse professionals with real-world clinical experience. Graduates of this track enter the workforce prepared to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care in diverse healthcare settings.

Graduate Nursing Degrees

With a focus on rural and medically underserved populations, our programs encourage students to make a positive impact in their communities as they deliver high-quality and effective healthcare to diverse groups. Explore our three MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner tracks as well as the DNP - Nurse Anesthesia program and learn more about how FranU’s graduate nursing degrees can help empower your role as an advanced practice nurse.

Master of Science in Nursing

Family Nurse Practitioner

The MSN-FNP program prepares BSN-educated registered nurses to advance their practice with a focus on primary care for patients across the lifespan. Through a rigorous curriculum and clinical experiences, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to become board-certified family nurse practitioners. FranU’s collaborative learning environment fosters professional growth, resource sharing and academic excellence, ensuring graduates are ready to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in diverse healthcare settings.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nurse Anesthesia

The DNP-NA program prepares registered nurses with a BSN to practice at the highest level of advanced nursing with a specialization in anesthesia. Students gain the knowledge and clinical expertise needed to deliver safe, patient-centered care in diverse healthcare settings. Through a rigorous curriculum, hands-on clinical experiences, and access to state-of-the-art equipment, graduates are equipped to lead as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and improve patient outcomes across systems of care.