Northwestern State University’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health (CONSAH) offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees and post-master’s certificates in both nursing and allied health fields. Included in the college’s programs are North Louisiana’s first sonography program, the number one nurse practitioner program in Louisiana and radiological sciences.
This year, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program began in October 2025. This program offers a concentration in organizational systems leadership and is the only nurse anesthesia program in the University of Louisiana system.
Ashlynn McClain is a junior radiologic sciences major with a concentration in ultrasound. Growing up with her mom in the medical field is what encouraged her to pursue a concentration in ultrasound.
“Never think that you are unable to do something. If you put your mind to it and put in the time and work, you will be able to do it,” McClain said. “My favorite memory of the program was when my class passed the physics portion of our registry.”
Alongside both old and new programs for students, NSU offers plans for students already working in the healthcare field, allowing them to turn their experience into a diploma with the guidance of faculty and staff. Tamara Baxter, the Natchitoches campus director for CONSAH and an assistant professor, believes that the supportive environment is a unique aspect of NSU.
“We’re very close to our students, very supportive of them,” Baxter said. “We’re going to guide them. We’re going to help them be successful. We’re going to work as hard, but not harder than them.”
“I would say my best memory and the greatest part of the program is seeing students succeed, walking across that stage and becoming nurses,” Baxter said. “That’s the greatest reward ever.”
Faith Davis, a senior nursing major, attests to the supportive environment. “You can definitely tell that everybody in nursing really wants to help you,” Davis said. “It’s a really good community in itself within [NSU].”
Throughout the program, multiple ceremonies are held for nursing students, including the white coat ceremony for first-level students and the handwashing ceremony for fifth-level students. The white coat ceremony serves as an induction to the school, while the handwashing ceremony celebrates a student’s completion of the program.
The College of Nursing and School of Allied Health offer many opportunities for students throughout their time at NSU. From undergraduate to graduate students, the program provides students with the opportunity to learn in a caring, close environment to reach their goal of one day working in the medical field.
