In nursing education, excellence is both our tradition and our trajectory. At our School of Nursing, nearly a century of leadership has built a foundation recognized among the nation’s top 10 nursing programs. This national prominence is not just an accolade; it reflects the unwavering commitment of our faculty, students, alumni and partners to innovative education, compassionate care and groundbreaking research. As we honor our rich history and achievements, we also look ahead with collective pride and renewed momentum, ever-focused on leading the future of nursing.
This fall, we will broaden our reach and impact with the opening of a new Off-Campus Instructional Site (OCIS) in Baton Rouge. This expansion comes as Louisiana faces one of the most urgent nursing shortages in the country. By enabling students in the region to pursue their Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing without relocating, we are helping to meet our state’s critical health care needs. Students at the Baton Rouge site will receive the same rigorous, high-quality curriculum delivered through a blend of in-person instruction and synchronous distance education as our New Orleans students. We have secured clinical partnerships to provide immersive, hands-on training in real-world health care settings, supported by state-of-the-art simulation labs that mirror hospital environments. Enrollment will be phased incrementally – beginning with 30 students in the first semester, 60 in the second, and eventually 90 students per cohort – allowing us to scale up thoughtfully while maintaining excellence. The first Baton Rouge cohort will graduate in May 2028, marking a new milestone as we prepare more LSU nurses to serve communities across Louisiana. We celebrate this Baton Rouge expansion as a testament to our mission: Improving access to nursing education, strengthening the workforce and ultimately improving health outcomes for our state.
All our efforts are closely aligned with the LSU Health New Orleans 2024–2028 strategic plan. This people-centered, health-focused road map calls for student-centered innovation, advances in research, interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships to address health equity challenges across Louisiana. We embrace these priorities wholeheartedly. From pioneering cutting-edge teaching models and simulation training for our students to engaging in interdisciplinary research that targets Louisiana’s unique health issues, we are living our strategic mission every day. We are strengthening collaborative partnerships across disciplines and health care sectors to magnify our impact, and we remain deeply committed to improving health outcomes in underserved communities as part of our obligation to health equity and building healthier communities. Importantly, our pursuit of excellence is not solitary; it is interprofessional and inclusive. We work hand-in-hand with colleagues across medicine, public health, dentistry and allied health, recognizing that team-based care and research drive better outcomes. By aligning our school’s initiatives with the broader strategic vision, we ensure that LSU Nursing continues to lead with innovation, scholarship and service in everything we do.
Our accomplishments and aspirations are ultimately driven by our people. I am continually inspired by the successes of our School of Nursing alumni, whose careers are a testament to the education and values they gained here. Many of our graduates serve as chief nursing officers, health system executives, advanced practice and academic leaders, and nursing faculty across the nation, with others holding key offices in professional organizations. All are helping to shape the future of health care. These inspiring alumni exemplify the leadership, expertise and compassion that define an LSU nurse, and their achievements amplify our school’s reputation for excellence. They remind us that the impact of our work extends far beyond our campus, into the communities and lives we touch.
In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our extraordinary faculty and staff, our talented students, our dedicated alumni, and our vital partners and donors. Everything we have accomplished and will accomplish is possible because of your unwavering commitment to excellence and service. Thank you for your hard work, your passion and your faith in our mission. Together, we will continue to elevate nursing education, pursue scholarly and clinical innovation, and build healthier communities across Louisiana and beyond. I am proud of all that we have achieved as a School of Nursing family, and I am excited for the bright future we are creating, united in purpose.
Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD, PCC, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Professor
LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing
Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
LSU Health Sciences Center
