Charity School of Nursing


In keeping with Delgado's Mission Statement, CSN is a dynamic nursing program that provides high-quality instruction to prepare students of varied backgrounds in a learner-centered inclusive environment.  Through excellent and innovative face-to-face and distance education, the program prepares graduates to provide caring and competent nursing in entry-level positions to meet the healthcare needs of a diverse community. 

Message From The Dean

Joan Ellis Headshot

Welcome to Charity School of Nursing at Delgado Community College.  Whether you are visiting our historic City Park Campus or exploring our webpage, you will quickly see that Charity is more than a nursing school - it is a community rooted in purpose, compassion, and possibility.  With a legacy spanning more than a century, Charity School of Nursing remains one of Louisiana's most respected and transformative nursing school programs. 

 As the oldest - and one of the largest - nursing programs in the state, we are built on a foundation of academic excellence, innovation, and a profound commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of our region.   Each year, we proudly prepare and graduate over 200 practice-ready nurses who enter the workforce ready to serve with knowledge, confidence, and heart. Our pathways include the Associate Degree in Nursing (AD-RN), the Practical Nursing (PN) program, the LPN-to-RN Transitions track, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, and the CNA-to-LPN pathway for those seeking to advance their careers.

At Charity, students learn in a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking environment. Our state-of-the-art Simulation Center, advanced virtual reality and AI-enhanced experiences, and evidence-based teaching practices ensure that our learners are equipped with the skills today’s healthcare settings demand. Most importantly, our extraordinary faculty bring expertise, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to student success—guiding each learner with the mentorship and encouragement that define the Charity experience.

Nursing education at Charity is not merely about earning a credential—it is about transformation. We believe in the potential of every student who chooses to begin their journey with us. We are honored to cultivate the next generation of nurses who will lead with integrity, compassion, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.

On behalf of our faculty, staff, and students, I invite you to learn more about our programs and discover what makes the Charity School of Nursing a place where students grow, faculty inspire, and the future of healthcare takes shape.

Here We Grow!

 

close up of 3 nurses focusing on their stethoscopes

Our School Offers
- 3 -
Nursing Options
and other technical diploma or certificate options 

 

Contact Us
School of Health Sciences: Charity School of Nursing

Ochsner Center for Nursing and Allied Health, Building 14
Room 1002A, 504-571-1270

csn@dcc.edu 

 

School Highlights

  • Oldest nursing program in the state with a 100-year history of producing exceptional graduates.
  • The ADN nursing program at Delgado is accredited by the:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Rd. NE, Ste. 1400, Atlanta, GA. 30326.  The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the ADN nursing progam is continuing accreditation.  View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
  • RN program fully approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810,  (225) 755-7500
  • LPN program accredited by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners, 131 Airline Dr. Ste. 301, Metairie, La. 70001  (504) 838-5791.
  • Pass rates on the national council licensing exam (NCLEX) continues to be at or above state and national standards.
  • Success coaches and a career navigator in place for student support and mentoring.

School Departments

Jennifer Fernandez, MSN, RN, CPN
Dean

Dr. Tracy Harris, Ed.D, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, Assistant Dean

Degree Program
Nursing - Registered Nursing, Associate Degree (ADN)

Coordinators:
Level 1
Shena Sanders, MSN, RN

Level 2
Patricia Smart, MN, RN, CNE, FAADN

Level 3
Bridgette Dufrene, MSN, RN

Level 4
Mary Barrow, PhD, RN

Technical Competency Area
Nursing - Practical Nursing TD

Educational Coordinators:
Coordinator City Park
Jana Martin, BSN, RN

Coordinator Sidney Collier
Linda Hueschen, MSN, RN

Lead Faculty for Certified Nursing Assistant Program (CNA):
Patricia Berryhill, MSN, RN