Nursing track launches for Newcomb-Tulane College students
Tulane University has announced a new academic opportunity that will give Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) students the chance to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), creating a streamlined path into one of the nation’s most in-demand health care professions.
The new nursing major, developed by the Tulane School of Medicine Program of Nursing, enables students to complete the NTC core curriculum alongside required nursing prerequisites before advancing into the professional BSN program. Students will maintain access to Tulane-based financial aid, housing, campus life and co-curricular opportunities throughout the program.
“This major reflects Tulane’s commitment to academic excellence and a robust student experience focused on the health care needs of patients and the New Orleans community,” said Brenda Douglas, dean of nursing. “It allows students to pursue a practice-based profession while fully engaged in the full undergraduate experience that defines Newcomb-Tulane College.”
The degree requires 120 credit hours divided between the Newcomb-Tulane core curriculum, nursing prerequisites and a four-semester professional nursing program. Coursework combines online instruction with in-person laboratory, simulation and clinical experiences across the New Orleans area. Students complete more than 800 hours of supervised clinical practice and graduate prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
The new opportunity for NTC students responds to critical workforce needs. Louisiana faces a nursing shortage, as health care demand grows and hospitals continue to experience staffing gaps and workforce strain.
“This initiative addresses multiple priorities at once,” Douglas said. “It supports student aspirations, strengthens Tulane’s competitive positioning among peer institutions and contributes to meeting the health care needs of our region.”
A defining feature of the program is its integration with the School of Medicine. Nursing students participate in educational experiences rarely available at the undergraduate level, including cadaver labs, standardized patient encounters, interprofessional simulations with medical students and clinical experience through student-run clinics. The program follows a cohort model across four consecutive semesters, fostering collaboration, peer support and professional identity development.
The program also preserves flexibility within the undergraduate experience. With careful academic planning, students may still pursue additional majors, minors, electives or study abroad opportunities before entering the professional phase of the program.
Students receive coordinated advising throughout their academic journey. NTC advisors guide students through core requirements and nursing prerequisites, while a dedicated nursing academic advisor supports students once they enter the major, ensuring progression, retention and timely graduation.
The Tulane nursing program is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and holds national accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, underscoring its quality and rigor.
“For students committed to nursing and to the Tulane experience, this major creates a seamless experience for NTC students to pursue a Bachelor of science degree in nursing,” Douglas said. “It prepares graduates who are clinically strong, community-engaged and ready to lead in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.”
