WCU-Baton Rouge earns full approval from Louisiana State Board of Nursing
William Carey University at Baton Rouge General has earned full approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. The announcement came after the state board’s August meeting.
"We are thrilled that our Baton Rouge campus has received full approval, and we are excited to implement our LPN Advanced Placement program beginning in spring 2021,” said Dr. Alicia Lundstrom, dean of the WCU School of Nursing.
"It is the ministry of William Carey University School of Nursing to improve health outcomes in both Mississippi and Louisiana by graduating students prepared both academically and spiritually. We look forward to the growth we know is coming on our Baton Rouge campus."
WCU at Baton Rouge General accepted its first bachelor’s degree nursing students in fall 2018.
In addition to meeting academic standards, nursing schools must graduate a class of students before they are eligible for full approval. WCU at Baton Rouge’s inaugural class graduated in February 2020. The second class graduated in August 2020.
"We’re very proud of our graduates. As a group, the inaugural class achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the national board exam on their first attempt. The second class is currently awaiting approvals to test for the national boards. The dedication of our faculty has been an integral part of this success," said Dr. Catherine Belden, campus director of WCU at Baton Rouge General.
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing also approved WCU-Baton Rouge to initiate an accelerated advanced placement program for licensed practical nurses. Already available at WCU’s Hattiesburg and Tradition campuses, the program provides a flexible route for LPNs to earn bachelor’s degrees in nursing:
- Students can attend classes full-time or part-time.
- Students attending full-time can complete their degrees in 18 months. Students who exercise part-time options have 30 months to complete the program.
- No entrance exam is required, and students can test out of some courses.
Due to the addition of LPN Advanced Placement at the Baton Rouge campus, the spring 2021 application deadline for bachelor’s degree programs on all three WCU campuses has been extended until Sept. 18.
For more information, visit www.wmcarey.edu/nursing or contact:
