Southeastern masters, undergraduate programs in nursing named top in state
Friday, October 9, 2020 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
SOUTHEASTERN NURSING PROGRAMS HONORED WITH NIGHTINGALE AWARDS - Southeastern Louisiana University’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs have been recognized by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation with the 2020 Nightingale Award. This year is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, as well as the 200th year of Florence Nightingale’s birthday. In commemoration, alumni and friend of Southeastern Mike Legendre designed a special nursing pin.
HAMMOND - Two Southeastern Louisiana University nursing programs have been recognized
by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation with the Nightingale Award as the Nursing School
of the Year - the master’s degree in nursing, which is offered in a consortium with
three other state institutions, and the undergraduate program in nursing. The awards
recognize the achievements of both nursing program’s students and faculty.
This is the third time Southeastern has been recognized with a Nightingale Award
for an advanced practice program, with the master’s program being recognized as program
of the year in 2013 and 2019. In addition, Southeastern’s undergraduate nursing program
has been recognized with the Nightingale Award three previous times; this time marks
the fourth.
The competition is evaluated by a panel of out-of-state judges who review the
nominations submitted by nursing programs throughout the state. The Nightingale Awards
are the foundation’s highest recognition for quality, service, commitment and excellence
among Louisiana registered nurses.
Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said nursing
programs are evaluated for the award by a wide range of criteria, including accreditation
status, innovations in education and teaching, nursing examination passage rate, and
comments solicited from graduates, faculty and area employers.
Carruth added that being recognized for the BSN and MSN programs is especially
significant this year because 2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife
and the 200th year of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
“The fact that this year also highlights the prominence of nurses as healthcare
heroes during this pandemic is an additional testament to the profession. I’m as proud
of our graduates as they start their careers as nurses and advanced practitioners,”
Carruth said. “At the suggestion of the President of the Alumni Association Dickie
Whitson and to commemorate this special year and honor faculty and alumni, Mike Legendre,
an alumni and friend of Southeastern, designed a special nursing pin.”
Southeastern’s master’s program is offered in a consortium with the University
of Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State University in Lake Charles and Nicholls State
University in Thibodaux.
“The consortium has been recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents as a model
of collaboration, articulation and the wise use of scarce resources,” said Carruth.
“Through a sharing of resources – including creative collaboration by committed faculty
– we are able to offer top quality, cost effective postgraduate education in an easily
accessible online model.”
“Our best assets are our faculty and students,” she added. “Together we have
graduated advanced practice nurses to meet the healthcare needs of the region, nurse
leaders to solve complex health care management crises and nurse educators to train
future nurses.”
The program offers concentrations leading to a master of science degree in nursing
in three different areas: family nurse practitioner, family psychiatric/mental health
nurse practitioner, and nurse educator. The program is accredited by the Commission
for Collegiate Nursing Education.
“Since 1992, this program has helped prepare a steady number of professionals
to meet the growing health and wellness needs of the state,” Carruth said. “Most of
our students work full time and require some degree of convenience and flexibility
in their graduate program. By offering our courses online through web-based distance
learning, the consortium is meeting the needs of these professionals and allowing
them to learn at their own pace and time.”
School of Nursing Department Head Ken Tillman attributes the nursing faculty
and teaching resources to the ultimate success of the undergraduate program’s students
and graduates.
“Our nursing faculty are dedicated to the success of our students,” he said.
“Teaching resources, such as great instructional spaces, skills practice labs and
patient simulation labs, both on campus and at the Baton Rouge Center, is another
top feature of our program.”
“The nursing program’s clinical affiliation agreements with leading healthcare
systems located on the Northshore and Baton Rouge region is another advantage for
students. Our nursing students have an opportunity to learn and apply their knowledge
by working side-by-side with some of the best nurses and healthcare professionals
anywhere.”
Southeastern’s nursing school also operates a completely online RN to BSN degree
program that allows registered nurses with an associate’s degree or nursing diploma
to complete courses leading to a bachelor of science in nursing degree.
