SON Graduation

SON Graduation

REQUIREMENTS

Students must:

1. Fulfill each course and maintain the minimum scholastic requirements of the School of Nursing.
2. Registered in the semester of anticipated graduation and paid the appropriate diploma fee.
3. Meet all financial obligations to the LSU System at least ten days prior to graduation.
4. Attend rehearsal, award ceremony, and commencement, unless excused by the Dean.  A written request must be submitted to the Dean for approval.

Awards and Honors

Dean’s List - Full time undergraduate students (minimum 12 semester hours) in good academic standing completing all work attempted during a Fall and/or Spring semester with a minimum 3.5 GPA. This distinction will be noted on the academic transcript.

The Allen Copping Excellence in Teaching Award - Full time teaching faculty member. The Dean appoints a selection committee. Administrators, Department Heads and Coordinators are ineligible to receive the award.                 

Valedictorian - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a baccalaureate-graduating student with the highest LSU System cumulative grade point average at Fall and Spring conferral of degrees. GPA to be determined by Assistant Dean for Student Services.

Salutatorian - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a baccalaureate-nursing student with the second highest LSU System GPA cumulative grade point average as an undergraduate nursing student. GPA to be determined by Assistant Dean for Student Services.

Highest Academic Honors CARE Program - The CARE program, known as the Career Alternative RN Education is an accelerated second-degree program for nursing students with a previously earned baccalaureate degree. Presented at spring commencement to a graduating CARE student with the highest LSU System cumulative grade point average in all courses. GPA to be determined by Assistant Dean for Student Services.

Academic Recognition CARE Concentration- Presented at spring commencement to a graduating CARE student with the second highest LSU System cumulative grade point average in all courses. 

The Chancellor’s Award - Presented annually at Commencement to a graduating baccalaureate nursing student who has demonstrated scholastic and leadership ability and exemplifies an enthusiastic commitment to professional nursing.                

The Dean’s Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencements to a to a graduating baccalaureate nursing student who has demonstrated scholastic and leadership ability and exemplifies an enthusiastic commitment to professional nursing.  December Graduation only

LSUHNO School of Nursing Alumni Association Recognition of Class Spirit Award - Presented at Fall Conferral of Degrees and Spring Commencement to a baccalaureate graduating student whose efforts and ability to carry through were always in the best interest of the class, and whose specific performance demonstrated accountability, maturity and peer support.

The Elsevier Sciences, Inc. Faculty Recognition Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to both an undergraduate and graduate student for high visibility among faculty, staff and students on the basis of leadership ability in the school

Sigma Theta Tau Distinguished Graduate Award - - Presented by Epsilon Nu at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nursing at Fall conferral of degrees and Spring commencement to a baccalaureate graduating student and to a qualified graduate student. The recipient is a member of the Epsilon Nu at-Large Chapter who demonstrates creativity and enthusiasm in nursing research, demonstrates commitment to the ideals of the nursing profession, and participates in extracurricular activities.

 Dolores H. Scheerle Memorial Entrepreneurial Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to both an undergraduate and graduate student who demonstrates leadership qualities necessary of an entrepreneur, with the ability to initiate new ideas, is innovative in the approach to nursing, and is cognizant of trends and issues relevant to the nursing profession.

Jo Ellen Smith Memorial Award - Presented at Spring Conferral of Degrees and Fall Commencement to a baccalaureate graduating student who is recognized as humanitarian, has given service above and beyond what is required by the School, demonstrated concern for and has provided actual service to others.                                                                                                       

Patricia A. Losee Memorial Award - Presented at May Commencement to a baccalaureate graduating student who demonstrates professionalism, conscientiousness, compassion, and a commitment to nursing. A family member presents this award.

Outstanding Doctor of Nursing Practice Award - Presented at Conferral of Degrees and Commencement to a graduate who encompasses academic achievement, scholarly activity during doctoral studies and services to the school and community. 

F.A. Davis Award for Writing Excellence - Presented to a graduating graduate student with exceptional writing style and skill. Award is given at Fall Conferral of Degrees and Spring Commencement.

Outstanding Nursing Caring Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a graduate who encompasses the guiding principles of stewardship, organizational citizenship, nursing innovation, caring, professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence, which are evident in all personal and professional behaviors.

Outstanding Nursing Faculty Caring Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to acknowledge the contribution of a faculty member who has gone above and beyond clinical expectations in working with patients and nursing students.  The faculty exemplifies the Spirit of Caring in their interaction with fellow faculty, patients, and students. 

Early Childhood & Family Learning Foundation Outstanding RN Community Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees to an RN to BSN graduating student who evidences achievement in Community Health Nursing, concern for humanity and involvement in professional and community organizations.

Student Nurses Association Outstanding Graduate Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a baccalaureate graduating student whose outstanding accomplishments are demonstrated by leadership and participation in the nursing profession, curriculum and school.

Student Government Association Outstanding Graduate Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a baccalaureate graduating student who meets selected academic standards, participates in community and school activities throughout the nursing curriculum, and exhibits motivation for his/her/their personal professional growth.

New Orleans District Nurses Association Student Leadership Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a baccalaureate student who demonstrates academic achievement; member of the Student Nurses’ Association; outstanding leadership ability in professional and community service.

Joyce Travelbee Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees to a graduate based on academic achievement and excellence in nursing practice evidenced through the application of a nursing framework-based practice, demonstrated evidence of a philosophy of nursing and good interpersonal skills.

The Theresa Bittenbring Marque and John Henry Marque Fund Nursing Award - John A. Marque bestowed the Greater New Orleans Foundation with the largest gift in its history to establish the Theresa Bittenbring and John Henry Marque Fund Nursing Award. The Theresa Bittenbring and John Henry Marque fund was designed to exist in perpetuity, specifying annual gifts in the form of monetary nursing awards. LSUHNO School of Nursing is proud to be a recipient of 10 of these annual awards. The award will be presented at spring commencement to five Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing students and five CARE Bachelor of Science in Nursing students. Certificates will be presented by the Marque Fund Advisor. The Assistant Dean for Student Services will calculate the grades to determine the highest GPA in nursing courses.

Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA) Outstanding Student Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement, to recognize a nurse anesthesia graduate demonstrates outstanding performance in academics, clinical ability, and leadership skills.

Nurse Anesthesia Outstanding Graduate Award - Presented at spring commencement to recognize the graduate’s contributions to the scholarly body of knowledge in nurse anesthesia, excellence in clinical and leadership abilities, and the potential for continued service to the citizens of Louisiana.

Nurse Anesthesia Program Clinical Excellence Award - Presented at spring commencement to recognize a graduate’s excellence in clinical performance and the potential for continued service to the citizens of Louisiana.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program Directors Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to recognize a nurse anesthesia graduate with an outstanding performance in academics and the potential for leadership in the field of nurse anesthesia education. The award is presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement.

Alice Hicks CRNA Memorial Award - Presented at spring commencement the Alice M. Hicks, CRNA, Memorial Award recognizes the graduate demonstrating the most promise to promote and support anesthesia needs in the rural community. Alice M. Hicks spent the majority of her career, over 30 years, providing nurse anesthesia care in the rural community. The award is provided by her children and dedicated to her memory.

Stanley Hall Academic and Clinical Excellence Award - The award recognizes a student that demonstrates potential as a nurse anesthesia educator and serves as a role model for professional nurse anesthesia practice. 

Reverend Dr. James A. Ertl Clinical Excellence Award - Presented at spring commencement to an Outstanding Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate who has exhibited clinical excellence, commitment to provision of care to minority and/or underserved population, promoted client’s health, provided support to client’s family and/or significant other, integrated spiritual care into primary care services and exhibits the core values of the school of Nursing.

Reverend Dr. James A. Ertl Executive Nurse Leader Award - Presented at spring commencement to an Outstanding Nurse Administration/Executive Nurse Leader graduate who has demonstrated leadership excellence, academic excellence. Demonstrated leadership excellence in the health care system that extends into or impacts the general wellbeing of the community and exhibits the core values of the school of Nursing.

Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Award - Presented at spring commencement to a student who demonstrates clinical expertise, community service, and academic excellence among the nurse practitioner graduating class.

Nurse Practitioner Leadership Award - Presented at spring commencement to a Nurse Practitioner Graduate who has exhibited the SON’s core values, who has excellent communication skills (written and verbal), and who has led non-academic SON related projects or tasks.

Nurse Practitioner Academic Excellence Award - Presented at spring commencement to a Nurse Practitioner Graduate who has exhibited curiosity, a passion for learning, a collaborative spirit within teams, and superior academic performance.

Nurse Practitioner Service Award - Presented at spring commencement to a Nurse Practitioner Graduate who has exhibited SON core values of organizational citizenship, stewardship, and professionalism to the school, academic-practice partner’s organizations, or community at-large.

Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Faculty Award - A Nurse Practitioner Faculty who consistently demonstrates teaching, service, and scholarly excellence while modeling the School of Nursing Core Values and the characteristics of a doctorly prepared NP leader. 

Mentoring Undergraduate Students for Excellence in Scholarship (MUSES) - Presented to students in the MUSES Program. Faculty promote intellectual, professional development by mentoring nursing students to grow to their full potential.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Association Outstanding Graduate Award - Presented at fall conferral of degrees and spring commencement to a baccalaureate student who exmplifies diversity, equity, and inclusion; participation in community and school events; demonstrates academic achievements as well as promotes leadership ability.

Degrees with Honors

Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are awarded summa cum laude to students whose grade point averages fall within the range of 3.960 to 4.000, magna cum laude to students whose grade point averages fall within the range of 3.860 to 3.959, and cum laude to students whose grade point averages fall within the range of 3.760 to 3.859. Scholastic honors are based on the overall quality point average for all course work in pursuing the nursing degree (cumulative GPA).