The Best Nursing Programs in Connecticut: Online & Campus
Start or further your RN career by earning your degree or certificate from one of the top nursing programs in Connecticut.
With a serious shortage of nurses in Connecticut and across the nation, there’s never been a better time to begin or advance your nursing career. With that shortage comes major increases in salaries and incentives for nurses in all areas of healthcare.
This guide showcases the top accredited nursing schools and programs in Connecticut that can help you achieve your professional nursing goals, whether you’re just beginning your RN journey or you’re looking to move into advanced practitioner, educator, or research roles. You’ll also learn about the different types of nursing programs in Connecticut (including flexible online programs) and find helpful information on ways to get help paying for your nursing degree, the RN licensing process, and income potential after you graduate. Read on to see which schools made our list.
Connecticut’s Best Nursing Programs
We’ve surveyed colleges and universities in Connecticut offering nursing degrees and certificates and spotlighted the very best. Featuring elements like accreditation, affordability, curriculum comprehensiveness, access to student support services, and more, the spotlights give you a good idea of what to expect from any quality nursing program in Connecticut. They also give you an idea of what you might pay in tuition costs and how long it might take to finish your degree.
Goodwin University
East Hartford, Connecticut
Private
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut
Private
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, Connecticut
Private
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Connecticut
The variety of nursing programs in Connecticut is quite extensive and choosing the right one can be confusing. The following descriptions of the most common nursing degree and certificate types you’ll encounter in your program search can help you find the right program for you. We’ve included examples of real nursing programs in Connecticut to help you find the right fit.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Connecticut
ADN Programs
The ADN (ASN, AASN) is for students with little or no previous college experience, and it’s a quick and affordable path to the NCLEX-RN and employment as an RN. ADN programs usually require two years of full-time study and are almost exclusively offered by community colleges in Connecticut. An exception is the ADN program at Goodwin University.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
The traditional BSN is a four-year, full-time program combining general education and lower-division math and science courses with upper-division nursing didactic coursework and in-person clinicals. The BSN degree is for students entering with little or no previous college or nursing experience. It qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated (Second Degree) BSN programs allow students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees to apply previously-earned general education and other lower-division credits to their BSN programs. Accelerated BSN students can complete degree requirements in as few as 18 months, and they are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Connecticut for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
LPNs in Connecticut can earn an ADN degree leading to NCLEX-RN exam eligibility through the CT Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility process. Current Connecticut LPNs must first be admitted into one of several participating ADN degree programs and complete required general education courses their first year. After receiving program director approval, students then complete the online LPN to RN Articulation Bridge course at Charter Oak State College followed by a two-credit practicum course and additional coursework at their home schools.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs are for current registered nurses with ADNs or nursing diplomas seeking to expand their career opportunities by gaining additional knowledge and skills. Some programs are entirely online and usually take a year of full-time study and two years part-time.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN programs are for current RNs without BSNs who are interested in the quickest route to earning an MSN and advancing into leadership positions. These programs typically allow students to choose a specialization and many are 100% online. Admission requirements sometimes include non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, and some RN to MSN programs award BSN degrees as part of the program.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Connecticut
MSN Programs
MSN programs are for nurses who already have bachelor’s degrees and who want to advance into high-level positions. MSN programs in Connecticut typically require both a current RN license and a BSN for admission. Some programs accept applicants with either BSNs or bachelor’s degrees in related fields.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Nursing doctoral degrees are for nurses interested in pursuing the highest leadership roles in the nursing profession. Those seeking top-tier positions in advanced nursing practice and healthcare administration opt for a DNP degree while those interested in careers in advanced research and post-secondary education in nursing will opt for the PhD in Nursing.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Post-graduate certificates in nursing offer master’s and doctoral degree holders a convenient way to enhance their careers by adding knowledge and skills in a specialized area of nursing practice. Common specializations include Nursing Leadership, Nursing Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner in a range of concentrations. Nursing post-graduate certificate programs are often available 100% online.
Examples of Connecticut Nursing Schools with This Program
Financial Aid for Nursing Students in Connecticut
Given the high cost of a college education, help paying for a nursing degree is usually a necessity. Luckily, there are several financial aid options available, the most common being the student loan. Loans for nursing students may be secured from public or private lenders, but the biggest source by far is the federal government. Other valuable federal government resources include student loan repayment programs sponsored by the Health Resources & Services Administration.
Additional financial aid types include scholarships and grants, including ones awarded by nursing schools themselves; assistantships and fellowships for grad students; the Veterans Administration for active military and veterans; and employer tuition assistance plans. For detailed information and advice on funding your nursing degree in Connecticut, check out EduMed’s financial aid guide, nursing scholarship guide, and guide to graduating from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Connecticut: Degree and Licensing Requirements
You can’t work as a registered nurse in Connecticut without first obtaining an RN license issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health. There are two methods for doing so. Nurses with current RN licenses from other U.S. states or territories can use the Licensure by Endorsement process. Those seeking RN licensure for the first time should use the Licensure by Examination method. Below is an overview of the steps you’ll take to obtain your RN license by examination in Connecticut.
Enroll in and complete your nursing degree program
To obtain your Connecticut RN license, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Qualify to take the exam by first completing a nationally-accredited and state-approved pre-licensure nursing degree or diploma program. For most students, this is either an ADN or BSN degree. You can review a list of Connecticut DPH-approved RN programs here.
Register for the NCLEX-RN exam
Register for the RN exam with Pearson VUE, the exam’s administrator. You’ll also need to pay the registration fee at that time. Once registered, you have one year to take the exam.
Apply for your Connecticut RN license
Application for RN licensure is made with the Connecticut DPH via the State of Connecticut online portal. Complete the application and submit all required supporting documents, including an official transcript of your nursing degree program. Once your application is approved, the DPH informs Pearson VUE who then emails you an Authorization to Test in 2-3 weeks.
Schedule and take your exam
Schedule your exam by signing into your Pearson VUE account that you set up at the time of registration. Your ATT expires approximately 90 days after it is issued, so be sure to schedule your exam ASAP. You’ll sit for the exam at one of Pearson VUE’s test locations. The NCSBN provides helpful information on preparing for the exam.
Receive your Connecticut RN license.
Test results are typically forwarded by Pearson VUE to the DPH within hours of completion. You’ll receive your results and, if you passed, license notification by mail from the DPH 4-6 weeks later.
Keep your RN license current.
All Connecticut RN licenses must be renewed annually. The DPH mails renewal information approximately 60 days before license expiration. License renewal is done online at the State of Connecticut’s eLicense website and requires a renewal fee of $110. There are no continuing education requirements in Connecticut.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in Connecticut
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $78,370 | $100,620 | $127,150 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | $80,450 | $102,870 | $134,990 |
| Danbury, CT | $78,330 | $99,570 | $123,240 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $76,890 | $98,860 | $121,630 |
| New Haven, CT | $81,010 | $102,910 | $125,090 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | $73,570 | $101,800 | $128,330 |
| Waterbury, CT | $78,930 | $100,640 | $125,640 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Connecticut | 35,420 | 38,310 | 2,890 | 8.20% | 2,270 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
