Connecticut RN Programs

RN Programs in Connecticut

Just under 36,000 registered nurses (RNs) are licensed to work in the state of Connecticut. Even at that, the state has one of the most critical RN shortages in the nation. Learn how you can become an RN in Connecticut. RNs in Connecticut are overseen by the state’s Department of Public Health which maintains strict guidelines for the nursing components of educational programs.

At the very minimum an RN program must consist of four 15-week academic semesters comprising 35 semester credits in nursing related coursework. At least 50 percent of those hours must be spent performing supervised patient care.

The Public Health Department’s regulations don’t mandate specific coursework, but they do stipulate that students must successfully be able to perform the duties set out by the Connecticut Nurse Practice Act (Chapter 378 of the Connecticut General Statute).

Nursing schools in Connecticut are accredited by one of two national organizations: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC or NLN). Local accreditation is awarded by the Connecticut Board of Nursing. Some programs might be state-approved but not nationally accredited or vice versa.

Nursing schools facilitate a number of different ways to become an RN, including:

• Two-year programs from which RN candidates graduate with an Associates degree (ADN)

• Four-year programs from which RN candidates graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)

• Transitional programs in which LVNs/LPNs can advance to RN status, LVNs/LPNs can earn a BSN, and two year and other RNs who don’t have BSNs can earn a BSN degree

Ten campus schools offer the basic RN curriculum. There are also online RN programs affiliated with distance learning colleges, many of which are also accredited.

The RN Licensing Exam: NCLEX-RN

In order to practice as an RN in the state of Connecticut, a nursing school graduate must pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) with a score of 80 percent or higher. The test consists of between 75 to 265 questions, most of which are multiple choice answers. Prospective RNs are given five hours to complete the exam.

Applying For Your RN License

The Connecticut State Board of Nursing regulates the state requirements for RN licensure.

New graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN exam with a score of 80% or higher are eligible to apply for an RN license. Transcripts documenting successful completion of pre-licensure education must be included along with the application.

RNs who hold a license in a different state may also submit applications for RN licensure in Connecticut through endorsement with approval from the Connecticut State Board of Nursing.

Connecticut Associates Degree RN Programs

We do our best to ensure that our nursing school listings are as accurate as possible. If you notice something that needs to be corrected please email us and let us know. We recommend that all students perform their own individual research on specific schools before they decide to enroll in a nursing program.

Accredited Connecticut RN Schools

See our complete list of schools in Connecticut that offer state-approved registered nursing (RN) programs. The Connecticut Department of Health is in charge of overseeing nursing education programs and making sure that they meet the national standards set forth by the NCSBN. Nursing programs are organized by the type of degree awarded upon completion. There are two-year Diploma nursing programs, two-year Associates degree programs and four-year Bachelor degree programs. All types of RN programs prepare students to challenge the NCLEX-RN exam and become a licensed registered nurse in the state of Connecticut.