LPN to RN Online Programs in CT: Choosing Top Degrees
Are you a hardworking LPN in Connecticut looking to advance your career by becoming a registered nurse? With the continuing nurse shortages in Connecticut and nationwide, now may be the time to make the move through the convenience of an online LPN to RN program. There are a number of current LPN to RN programs available in the state featuring online study. This guide will introduce you to them and help you in deciding on the right one for you.
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Inside Online LPN to RN Degrees in Connecticut
Due primarily to Connecticut’s relatively small population, there are only a few LPN to RN programs offered in the state, with fewer still featuring online components. Nevertheless, those available typically include some or all of their required general education and non-nursing coursework in a fully- or partially online format. Delivery may be either synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the specific course. Most nursing courses and labs will be attended on campus, however. And students in Connecticut LPN to RN programs, online or not, must also complete substantial clinical practice hour requirements at program-approved medical facilities in the school’s or student’s local area.
We’ve profiled below three current online LPN to RN programs in Connecticut (one LPN to BSN and two LPN to ADN) to help you better understand how distance learning works in the state for LPN to RN students.
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PROGRAM: LPN to RN/BSN
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Albertus Magnus College
Albertus Magnus College, a private Roman Catholic school located in New Haven, offers a first-of-its-kind in the state LPN to BSN program that considers the student’s prior education, training, and work experience resulting in a BSN degree earned in just three years. Students in the program complete a total of 126 credits of general education, nursing, and nursing-related courses. The curriculum is delivered in a blended format that combines 16-week in-person courses attended evenings on AMC’s campus and 8-week online courses. Classes are presented in a combination of in-class sessions and online assignments. Students additionally complete in-person clinical components in all of their nursing courses and transition classes.
Duration: Three years.
Mode: Blended.
Cost:$583/credit.
Admissions Requirements:
- Current CT LPN License in good standing.
- Graduation from an Accredited LPN Program with 2.75 GPA or higher.
- Successful Completion of NACE Exams with minimum scores of 71% on Foundations of Nursing, 62% on Nursing Care of Childbearing Family, and 62% on Nursing Care of Children.
- Submit Immunization Form or Titer Test Results
Curriculum:
Intersession
- CC 102: College Success Seminar
- SC 114: Nutrition for Health and Fitness
Semester 1 (Spring)
- BI 316 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BI 316L: Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
- EN 106: Written Expression I
- HU 108: Examined Life I
- MA 117: Biostatistics/Math for Healthcare
Semester 2 (Summer)
- BI 317: Anatomy and Physiology II
- BI 317L: Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
- EN 107: Written Expression II
Semester 3 (Fall)
- BI 215: Microbiology
- BI 215L: Microbiology Lab
- CH 231: General Organic Biochemistry
- CH 231L: General Organic Biochemistry Lab
- HU 109: Examined Life II
- Fine Arts
Intersession
- LPN-to-RN Transition
Semester 4 (Spring)
- NR 213B: Nursing Health Assessment Laboratory
- NR 282B: Nursing Pharmacology
- Religion
- History
Semester 5 (Summer)
- NR 256B: Transitional Mental Health Lecture & Clinical
Semester 6 (Fall)
- NR 237B: Community Nursing Lecture & Clinical
- NR 243B: Nursing Informatics
- Philosophy
- Intersession
- International/Global Studies
Semester 7 (Spring)
- NR 271B: Transition Adult Acute & Chronic Care Management Lecture
- NR 338B: Evidence-Based Practice w/ Nursing Research
- NR 350B: Population Health Nursing
Semester 8 (Summer)
- HU 399: Senior Seminar
- Elective
Semester 9 (Fall)
- Elective
- NR 375B: Professional Nursing Practice Lecture & Clinical
- NR 391: Nursing Leadership
Following successful passing of the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenging Exam (NACE), the student is awarded 21 total credits for the following courses:
- NR 223 Foundational Nursing Lecture and Clinical
- PY 111 Introduction to Psychology
- NR 226L Nursing Skills Laboratory
- NR 261 Nursing Pathophysiology
- NR 327 Maternal Child Nursing
One credit is additionally awarded for BLS Certification.
CSCU Community Colleges
Through its participation in the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility (details in the FAQs below), the CSCU Community College system offers advanced placement to current LPNs into the Associate of Science in Nursing programs available on six of its campuses. After completing prerequisite coursework and Articulation Model requirements, students receive guaranteed placement in the first year of the ADN program. Applicants meeting advanced placement requirements (see below) begin their studies in the third semester of the program, allowing them to complete their degree program in as little as one semester.
While these ADN programs are primarily on-campus, students will be able to complete some or all of the non-nursing required classes either entirely or partially online, with some classes delivered asynchronously. Contact the specific campus you’re interested in for details on curriculum and content delivery.
Duration: Two years; One semester (advanced placement).
Mode: Hybrid.
Cost:$192/credit (Connecticut residents); $289/credit (NEBHE qualifying students); $578/credit (out-of-state residents). Tuition only. Other fees and costs apply. Students from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York are charged in-state tuition and fees at the Naugatuck, Northwestern, Norwalk, and Three Rivers campuses.
Admissions Requirements:
- Current unencumbered Connecticut LPN license.
- Satisfy all the CT-CCNP admission requirements.
If admitted, LPN candidates will be advised as to their placement within the degree program. For an LPN to begin their studies in the third semester (advanced placement), the following requirements must be met:
- Complete the required general education courses of the first year of the CT-CCNP with a grade of “C” or higher (BIO 2112, BIO 2350, PSY 1011, PSY 2001).
- Successfully complete the CT State online LPN to AD RN Bridge course (NUR 1150) and the college-based LPN to RN Transition course (NUR 1152C).
Curriculum:
Prerequisites
- BIO 2111: Anatomy & Physiology I
- ENG 1010: English Composition
- MATH 1200: Statistics or higher
- CCS 1001: College & Career Success
Additional pre-requisite courses for A&P I and Microbiology could add an additional semester and 8 credits.
CT-CCNP Program Requirements
- BIO 2112: Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIO 2350: Microbiology
- PSY 1011: General Psychology
- PSY 2001: Life Span Development
- SOC 1001: Principles of Sociology
- COSC LPN-RN Articulation Bridge Course
- NUR 190: LPN to RN Articulation Bridge Course (completed online through Charter Oak State College)
First Semester
- NUR 1152: Concept Based Curriculum LPN to RN Transition
- LPN Articulation Credits Awarded (15 credits)
Second Semester
- NUR 2220: Nursing in Health & Illness III
- ENG 1020: English Composition II & Literature (or any ENG course that meets the Written Communication II outcomes)
Third Semester
- NUR 2225: Nursing in Health & Illness IV
- NUR 2226: Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
- ARHX Arts & Humanities course
Goodwin University
Goodwin University’s 65-credit Associate Degree in Nursing program is also a participant in the Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility. Current LPNs who meet all application requirements (including completion of the three-credit bridge program through Charter Oak State College and a one-credit LPN transition course at Goodwin) are awarded 12 credits for the NUR 100 and NUR 110 courses and begin their nursing coursework with NUR 200. While all required nursing and science core courses are attended on Goodwin’s East Hartford campus, all general education course requirements can be satisfied online, with content delivered synchronously or asynchronously. Clinicals are attended at local healthcare facilities. LPN applications are accepted for the spring and summer semesters.
Duration: Two years.
Mode: Hybrid.
Cost:$9,994/semester (12 credits or more); $7,358/semester (9-11 credits); $5,242/semester (6-8 credits); $735/credit (less than 6 credits). Other costs may apply.
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid LPN license.
- Admittance into Goodwin University.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses.
- Minimum GPA of 2.7 on most recent college course work.
- Clear physical exam.
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen.
- CPR certification.
Curriculum:
General Education Requirements
- ENG 101: English Composition
- English elective course
- PSY 112: Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 212: Lifespan Development
- SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
- Humanities elective course (HIS, PHIL, SPAN, HUM)
Science Core
- BIO 211: Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 212: Anatomy & Physiology II
- BIO 235: Microbiology
Nursing Major Core
- NUR 200: Adults and the Wellness Continuum II
- NUR 210: Families and the Wellness Continuum
- NUR 220: Integration of Nursing Practice: Adults with Complex Health Problems
FAQs About LPN to RN Online Programs in Connecticut
Now that you’ve read through the program profiles above, you likely have a number of questions that remain unanswered. To help you out, here are the answers to five questions often asked by students about LPN to RN programs generally and the process for obtaining their RN license once they’ve completed their education.
What is the Connecticut Articulation Model for Nurse Educational Mobility?
The Connecticut Articulation Model provides a process through which current LPNs in the state can pursue an associate degree in nursing to become an RN without having to complete all of the degree’s course requirements. To take advantage of the Articulation Model, a candidate must:
- Possess a valid Connecticut LPN license.
- Be admitted to a participating ADN program in the state and obtain the consent of the degree program’s director.
- Complete the three-credit LPN to RN Articulation Bridge course offered online through Charter Oak State College.
- Complete the one-credit LPN transition course at your ADN program’s school.
LPNs meeting all of the above requirements are awarded credit for a number of the degree’s nursing courses and, in most cases, begin their studies with the third semester of the ADN program. Variations exist from school to school, however, so be sure to contact a representative at each program you’re considering for details.
How long with it take for me to complete my Connecticut LPN to RN program?
That will depend on the specific credential (ADN or BSN degree) you pursue and the particular school where you choose to pursue it. As the program profiles above show, LPN to RN students in Connecticut may be able to shorten their program times due to several factors. They include application of the Articulation Model and the awarding of credits for prior LPN education and experience. Bearing all of that in mind, most LPN to ADN programs are completed in one to two years while most LPN to BSN programs are completed in three to four years.
Will I be eligible for financial aid to help pay for my LPN to RN education?
Financial aid of almost all kinds is available to qualifying students in LPN to RN programs. Funding types include scholarships and grants, student loans, tuition reimbursement opportunities, tuition payment plans, and more. The quickest way to find out if you qualify, especially for school-sponsored resources, is at your school’s financial aid office. You can also search online for external funding sources. Two excellent online resources are these U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and Connecticut Office of Higher Education websites.
How do I obtain my Connecticut RN license?
An LVN in Connecticut seeking to become a registered nurse for the first time will take the following steps to obtain their state RN license:
- Complete a state-approved Connecticut nursing program or out-of-state program. Out-of-state programs are reviewed and approved on an individual basis.
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Apply for licensure and pay the application fee (currently $180) to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.
- Meet all other licensure requirements (including clearing a criminal background check).
Details on license requirements and the licensing process can be found on the CSDPH Registered Nurse Licensure website.
What do I need to know about taking the NCLEX-RN?
As a licensed practical nurse, you’re familiar with the NCLEX-PN exam. What’s important to note here is that the NCLEX-RN exam is very similar to the NCLEX-PN exam in terms of structure and the strategies and skills you’ll need to pass it. And, like the NCLEX-PN, you’ll register for and take the NCLEX-RN through Pearson/VUE, the exam’s administrator. The major difference between the two tests has to do with the subject matter covered which corresponds with the different duties and responsibilities of practical and registered nurses. For more on exam preparation and content, visit the NCLEX’s official website.
Arizona LPN vs. RN Salary & Career Comparison
With a clear path ahead from LPN to RN, it’s time to consider what to expect after graduation. Even in the 10th percentile, Connecticut RNs earn $78,370, which is higher than the median LPN salary of $65,670. The median pay for RNs is an impressive $100,620, and 90th percentile earners take home $127,150 per year. This means RNs not only start out making more money, but there’s room to grow to six figures and beyond.
Connecticut’s RN jobs are expected to grow by 8.2%, which is higher than the national growth rate of 5.6%. In contrast, the growth rate for LPNs is just 4.2%, slightly lower than the national average of 5.3%. This high demand for RNs means you’ll enjoy better job security, more opportunities for growth, and higher pay than LPNs. Dive into the following data to get a better idea of your prospective career.
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Connecticut | $57,230 | $65,670 | $78,930 |
| Registered Nurses | Connecticut | $78,370 | $100,620 | $127,150 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | Connecticut | 35,420 | 38,310 | 2,890 | 8.20% | 2,270 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Connecticut | 9,070 | 9,450 | 380 | 4.20% | 740 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
