Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health has been awarded $2.6 million in funding over four years through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention – Workforce Expansion Program (NEPQR-WEP).
The grant project, titled “Pathways to ASN: Strengthening the RN Workforce in Louisiana,” spans from 2025 to 2029 and addresses the state’s critical nursing shortage by expanding educational opportunities for associate degree graduates who wish to become registered nurses (RNs).
The new Transition to Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) concentration allows graduates of allied health programs such as respiratory therapy, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy technician, physical therapy assistant, and veterinary technician to transition into nursing via the ASN program. The program:
- Enrolls a cohort of 10 students each spring and summer semester (beginning in Spring 2026),
- Provides students with an additional 80 hours of clinical experience in acute and long-term care settings, especially in rural and underserved communities,
- Supports students through stipends and mentoring to reduce financial and academic barriers, and
- Prepares graduates for success on the NCLEX-RN exam and subsequent job placement in Louisiana’s healthcare workforce as an RN.
Ms. Emily Horton will serve as Grant Project Director, with Ms. Lisa Wilhite, ASN Program Director, as Grant Co-Project Director, leading the development and implementation of the transition pathway and grant project.
NSU will partner with Willis Knighton Health as the grant project’s primary clinical partner, providing students with hands-on learning experiences in acute and long-term care settings.
“This grant enables us to further address the critical shortage of nurses in our state, offering allied health and associate degree graduates the opportunity to become registered nurses,” said Renee’ McCuller, Senior Vice President of Nursing at Willis Knighton Health. “We are honored to partner with NSU in this effort and look forward to welcoming the first cohort of students in the spring semester.”
“This grant represents a tremendous opportunity for both our students and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Aimee Badeaux, Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “By creating this transition pathway, NSU will expand the supply of registered nurses while also supporting upward mobility for allied health graduates who want to advance their careers.”
Ms. Tiffany Chasteen, Director of Grants and Planning, emphasized the significance of the award: “This funding reflects the innovation and dedication of our nursing faculty and staff. It will not only strengthen the nursing workforce in Louisiana but also open doors for associate degree graduates who are ready to take the next step in their careers. We are proud that NSU is playing a key role in addressing healthcare shortages in our region.”
The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health has campuses in Natchitoches, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Leesville/Ft. Johnson, many of which are located in rural or medically underserved areas. This grant award will allow NSU to strengthen its mission of preparing practice-ready nurses who serve Louisiana’s most vulnerable populations.
For more information or to register for the program visit: https://www.nsula.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/consah/college-of-nursing/