Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Ochsner Nurse Scholars
Ochsner Nurse Scholars is a program for Louisiana, Mississippi, and students at the University of West Alabama pursuing a nursing degree. We are thrilled to offer tuition support in exchange for service at Ochsner Health to eligible students attending an accredited nursing school. Students accepted into Ochsner Nurse Scholars will receive tuition assistance, as well as additional support from Ochsner Health including mentoring, career coaching and more.
Students who successfully complete the program will begin their career at Ochsner Health. Joining a team of health care professionals who have put patients first for over 80 years!
Guidelines/Eligibility
- Applicants must be actively enrolled/accepted and in good academic standing at a Louisiana or Mississippi accredited university.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Licensed Practical Nursing program
- University of West Alabama nursing students are eligible
- Must have completed all pre-requisite classes required for degree
- Employees of Ochsner Health who are enrolled or accepted into a full-time nursing program are eligible to apply.
- Priority consideration will be given to applicants from a diverse or underrepresented population as defined by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.
- Finalists will be interviewed by members of the Ochsner Scholars nurse student selection committee.
Upon graduation, Ochsner Scholars will make a minimum commitment of full-time employment at Ochsner Health commensurate to their funding amount. Exact awards and employment commitment will be determined by the nurse selection committee and human resources.
*The value of this award is considered taxable income and requires a W-2.
Financial Assistance and Duration
- Ochsner Nurse Scholars (BSN) recipients will be awarded $12,500 (taxed) per year of nursing school with a three-year maximum, not to exceed $37,500.
- Ochsner Nurse Scholars (ADN/LPN) recipients will be awarded $7,000 (taxed) per year of nursing school with a two-year maximum, not to exceed $14,000.
- Applicants must be actively enrolled in or accepted to a Louisiana or Mississippi accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Licensed Practical Nursing program, and remain in good academic standing.
- University of West Alabama nursing students pursuing a BSN degree are eligible to apply
- Upon graduation, Ochsner Scholars will be asked to commit one to five years of service at Ochsner Health.
Heart of Healthcare Program for Chamberlain New Orleans Students
Ochsner Health’s Heart of Healthcare Program awards up to three years of partial tuition coverage to eligible new students enrolled in the three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Chamberlain University College of Nursing at the Ochsner Health campus in New Orleans. Chamberlain University will provide discounted tuition to students accepted into the Heart of Healthcare program in addition to Ochsner Health providing partial tuition coverage.
Students will complete their clinical rotations at Ochsner Health and commit to a two-and-a-half-year employment pledge upon graduating and passing the NCLEX-RN®.* A maximum of 10 students will be accepted into the second cohort which starts in August.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be an incoming Bachelor of Science in Nursing student and in good academic standing at Chamberlain University in New Orleans.
- Employees of Ochsner Health who are incoming BSN students at Chamberlain are eligible to apply.
- Finalists will be interviewed by members of the Heart of Healthcare student selection committee.
- Upon graduation, Heart of Healthcare students will make a minimum commitment of full-time employment at Ochsner Health commensurate to their funding amount. Exact awards and employment commitment will be determined by the nurse selection committee and human resources.
Learn more and sign up for an informational session
Click on one of the links below to sign up for an Ochsner Nurse Scholars information session!
Thursday, May 18th, 5:00pm CST
Tuesday, May 23th, 12:00pm CST
Virtual Recording Request Form
Click on the link below to sign up for the Heart of Healthcare information session!
Ochsner Scholars FAQ
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What is Ochsner Scholars?
The Ochsner Nurse Scholars financial assistance program was established to grow the next generation of BSN, ADN and LPN nurses to support Ochsner’s Healthy State Initiative – moving Louisiana and Mississippi from 50th place in the nation to 40th by 2030. Every day, nurses help to save and change lives. Ochsner Health is investing in the next generation of nurses who will be committed to putting patients first, working with compassion, and upholding the highest standards of the nursing profession.
Recipients of the financial assistance award will be granted funds in exchange for employment with Ochsner Health upon graduation.
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Why should I apply for Ochsner Scholars?
Unlike programs offered at other hospital systems, the Ochsner Nurse Scholars financial assistance program allows recipients full flexibility to pursue their education at the school of their choice, as long as it is an accredited institution within Louisiana or Mississippi. Students already enrolled in an accredited Louisiana or Mississippi nursing program can complete their education without any transition to be eligible for financial assistance. University of West Alabama students are eligible as well.
Upon graduation, graduates will move into a full-time role at Ochsner Health. Beyond financial assistance, recipients will receive a holistic education – the Ochsner way. Our Scholars will receive professional development, career coaching and other services to support students throughout their time in nursing school.
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Who is eligible to apply?
- Any student attending an accredited nursing program in Louisiana or Mississippi at the time of application is eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good academic standing with their school.
- Students attending the University of West Alabama and are enrolled in the nursing school are eligible to apply
- Must have completed degree pre-requisites in advance of acceptance into the Ochsner Nurse Scholars program
- Students who are US Citizens and have a US social security number (we hope to welcome international students into our program in the future but are unable to accommodate at this time)
- Priority consideration will be given to applicants from a diverse or underrepresented population as defined by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.
Finalists will be virtually interviewed by members of the Ochsner Scholars nurse student selection committee.
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What nursing degree programs qualify in this program?
BSN, ADN, or LPN students in Louisiana, Mississippi, or at the University of West Alabama are qualified to apply and receive financial assistance.
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What nursing schools qualify in this program?
Any nursing school that is approved by the Louisiana and Mississippi State Board of Nursing. University of West Alabama students are eligible as well.
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How much financial assistance could I receive in this program?
Awards for Ochsner Nurse Scholars will be granted according to the program type the student is pursuing:
- BSN recipients will be awarded $12,500 (taxed) per year of nursing school with a three-year maximum, not to exceed $37,500.
- BSN recipients in a determined accelerated nursing program will also receive a summer payout, $6,250 (taxed) per summer, not to exceed a total of $37,500.
- ADN/LPN recipients will be awarded $7,000 (taxed) per year of nursing school with a two-year maximum, not to exceed $14,000.
Award recipients will be asked to commit to years of service following graduation with Ochsner Health – the largest employer in Louisiana and one of the nation’s highest-ranked hospitals.
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What happens if I drop out of the program?
- Scholars that drop out of the program will be required to pay back the total amount given during their time in the program.
- Scholars must maintain full-time and in academic good-standing with their school in order to stay in the Scholars program.
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What is required to apply?
- The most recent academic transcript available (either college or high school, if applicable)
- Résumé
- A statement of financial need
- Letter of acceptance from your nursing school
- Personal statement
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How do I apply?
Applications are now open for both Ochsner Nurse Scholars and Heart of Healthcare!
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When are applications due?
The Ochsner Nurse Scholars and Heart of Healthcare application are now open and will close on Thursday June 15th at 11:59pm.
