In a move designed to broaden opportunity and strengthen Louisiana’s health care workforce, the LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Nursing has launched a new off-campus instructional site (OCIS) on the LSU flagship campus in Baton Rouge. Beginning in fall 2025, students will be able to complete their entire Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program here.
“Launching the LSUHSC New Orleans OCIS on the LSU A&M Baton Rouge campus positions the LSU System as a critical educational system working collaboratively to impact the nursing shortage throughout the state of Louisiana with nursing school campuses statewide,” says Demetrius Porche, DNS, PhD, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Nursing.
The site will operate as part of LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, meaning students will earn the same degree, with all the institutional prestige and accreditation, but attend classes on the LSU A&M campus. The program will be housed in the newly renovated Huey P. Long Field House and will offer access to student services at both institutions.
The site’s location expands access to LSU’s nursing education for students in and around Greater Baton Rouge, as well as those already enrolled on the main campus who are now able to pursue a BSN without relocating.
Beyond that, a key advantage of the Baton Rouge location is its integration with regional health care systems. Students will complete clinical rotations in local facilities, gaining practical, real-world experience from day one.
Bringing the Vision to Life in Baton Rouge
Planning and implementation for the new site have been led by Debra K. Boyd, DNP, MSN, RN, Director of Traditional Program OCIS Baton Rouge. She’s helped organize administration, curriculum delivery and clinical experiences to reflect the School of Nursing’s vision and values.
“We have clinical partnerships with all major health care facilities in the Greater Baton Rouge area and will be expanding with more partnerships in the community as the program progresses,” Boyd says.
Beyond the classroom, the program aims to create a deeper connection between students and the communities they serve through outreach, screening events and other public health engagement opportunities.
The administration has already set a series of goals to position students and the university for sustained growth and success.
“Short-term goals include increasing student enrollment and expanding faculty capacity as the program grows in Baton Rouge,” Boyd says. “Long-term plans involve introducing the graduate nursing programs currently offered in New Orleans to the Baton Rouge campus.”
Along the way, the program’s goals will align with those of the New Orleans campus, with a focus on enrollment, retention, student satisfaction and maintaining high NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates.
To support continued growth, Boyd says the School of Nursing is focused on attracting students who possess strong academic readiness, compassion and passion for community health care.
Keeping Talent Close to Home
The administration believes that continued investment in infrastructure, combined with attracting the right kind of students, will encourage more graduates to remain in the region, strengthening local communities and helping to address the state’s nursing shortage.
“Offering instruction and clinical rotations locally encourages students to build connections in the region, making them more likely to stay and practice here after graduation.”
— Debra Boyd, DNP, MSN, RN
“Offering instruction and clinical rotations locally encourages students to build connections in the region, making them more likely to stay and practice here after graduation,” Boyd explains. “Increasing the number of nurses in the area will strengthen both acute and community-based care, expanding residents’ access to direct patient care, health education, preventive screenings and chronic disease management.”
Recruitment efforts through information sessions and one-on-one meetings hosted on campus have already drawn interest from prospective students.
“The initial response from students and community partners has been very positive, with enthusiasm from prospective students and strong support from the broader Baton Rouge community and LSU main campus,” Boyd says.
“It is a great opportunity to remain in the Baton Rouge area to complete your nursing education while earning a prestigious LSUHSC New Orleans nursing degree,” Porche adds. “As LSU alumni, these graduates will automatically have a collaborative network of LSU nursing alumni throughout the state.”
