Message from the Chancellor (November 1, 2009)
Health Professions
The Department of Allied Health is increasingly a center of excellence for its innovation in delivery of certificate, associate and ultimately baccalaureate programs in the health professions. The “excellence” is manifested in part through the long-standing record of the placement of pharmacy technicians, radiologic technicians, clinical laboratory technicians and others in Central Louisiana. Further manifestation of this is also expressed through collaborative initiatives with Southern University and with LSU Eunice in which students take courses (some through video-based learning, some on-line, and some traditional classroom) at more than one location, thus expanding the access and the reach of Allied Health educational opportunities.
Although the Allied Health programs at LSUA have been in existence a relatively short time, they have had a large impact in Central Louisiana. Since 1995, LSUA has produced 57 Clinical Lab Technicians. The Certificate in Pharmacy Technician did not begin until Fall 2000, but the program has produced 102 Pharmacy Technicians with a 100% pass rate on the licensure exam. Radiologic Technology began in Fall 2001 and has produced 77 Radiologic Technologists thus far. The pass rate on the licensure exam for that program has also been 100% for the past 3 years.
The department is also most collaborative with our regional partners. With a strong tradition of clinical education, the department worked closely with the larger University and with the Rapides Regional Medical Center to create the A.C. Buchanan III Allied Health Education Building in downtown Alexandria. With state of the art laboratories, including radiology, and in close proximity to the many clinical sites of central Louisiana, the entire enterprise (accomplished without direct University funds) is helping transform the way in which allied health educational opportunities are delivered.
The Department of Nursing has offered the Associate Degree in Nursing since the 1960’s and has produced over 3300 registered nurses. Throughout the long history of serving as a source of skilled nursing care to Central Louisiana, the department graduates have dominated the registered nurse core population in the region. The program has long been considered a singular point of excellence for LSU Alexandria by the regional healthcare providers. Indeed, the many of the department’s graduates have attained advanced degrees and have progressed to senior leadership positions at large hospitals and healthcare providers; e. g. chief operating officers and vice presidents of hospitals.
The Associate in Nursing Program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and accredited by the national League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Graduates are eligible to apply to write for Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) to receive licensure as a registered nurse (RN). The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pursuing an Associate in Nursing may elect to enroll in the LPN to ADN articulation track. The goal of the accelerated LPN to RN track is to facilitate educational mobility from the LPN level to RN practice at the associate degree level.
As of 2008, the Department of Nursing offers a 2+2 program taking the registered nurse to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN provides registered nurses with an opportunity to broaden their career pathways in an effort to move up the career ladder when presented with the opportunity to do so. The BSN program allows students to develop their critical thinking, supervisory, and communication skills, thereby strengthening their leadership potential. In the BSN program, students learn to apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision making in the provision of high quality nursing care.
The Nursing Program at LSUA meets or exceeds the criteria for programs of excellence as listed below:
- Accreditation by Board of Regents approved agency
- Pass rate on licensure examination
- Graduate employment rate
- Employer satisfaction data
- Student satisfaction data
Program Name: Associate of Science in Nursing
Licensure Examination: NCLEX-RN
| Spring 2006 | Fall 2006 | Spring 2007 | Fall 2007 | Spring 2008 | Fall 2008 |
|---|
| Students eligible to write exam. | 46 | 56 | 52 | 45 | 48 | 49 |
| Students writing exam. | 46 | 56 | 52 | 45 | 48 | 49 |
| Number of students passing exam. | 43 | 49 | 46 | 40 | 40 | 46 |
| LSUA Pass Rate | 93% | 88% | 88% | 89% | 83% | 94% |
| State Pass Rate: ADN Programs | 90% | 89% | 86% | 91% | 89% | 90% |
| State Pass Rate: All Programs | 89% | 87% | 84% | 84% | 87% | 85% |
| National Pass Rate | 89% | 87% | 85% | 85% | 87% | 86% |
| Students graduating from the AND program express satisfaction with the LSUA nursing program. | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Employers agree that LSUA graduates are comparable or better in performance when compared with graduates of similar experience from similar programs. | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Graduate Employment Rate / Full or Part Time | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Thank you.
Revised: 11/1/2009