How To Become a Nurse in Connecticut 2025

Nurses play a vital role in the American healthcare system, and the need for their services continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for registered nurses (RNs) is expected across all healthcare settings at an average annual rate of 6% over the next decade.

This article explores Connecticut nursing education requirements, the steps to RN licensure, and more. If you are interested in launching your nursing career in Connecticut, read on to learn how to become a nurse.

What Does an RN Do?

Certified registered nurses have a broad range of responsibilities related to patient care, from directly providing medical assistance to educating families about public health practices. An RN's duties can include:

• assessing patients' physiological conditions
• recording patients' symptoms and medical histories
• administering medicines and treatments
• collaborating with physicians and other healthcare personnel
• coordinating plans for patient care
• teaching patients and their caregivers how to manage illnesses and injuries at home

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Connecticut?

The length of time it will take you to become a nurse in Connecticut depends on your chosen degree path. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program typically takes two years to complete, while a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program takes four.

With certain prior experience or education, you may be eligible for accelerated nursing programs online. For example, if you already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN program (also known as an ABSN) and graduate in 16 months or fewer.

If your goal is to become a nurse practitioner, you will need a more advanced degree, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This master's degree takes between two to three years to earn.

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Connecticut

These are the steps you'll need to take to earn your RN license in Connecticut. We outline the educational requirements for nurses, exam process, and nursing license items required by the Board of Examiners for Nursing.

Step 1: Enroll in a Nursing Program

The first step to becoming a nurse is to enroll in an accredited nursing program: an ADN or BSN program. These degree programs teach nursing theory courses and offer hands-on, practical learning experiences, including lab skills work and clinical rotations.

Nursing programs are vetted by independent accrediting organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Programs must also be approved by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing.

Step 2: Take the Nursing Exam

Once you graduate from your chosen degree program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX-RN exam tests for competency in four main categories: effective and safe care environments, health maintenance and promotion, physiological integrity, and psychosocial integrity. The NCLEX-RN exam is not graded on a numerical scale; instead, candidates receive either a passing or failing grade.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops the NCLEX exams. Pearson VUE is the company that administers the exam at testing centers across Connecticut.

Step 3: Apply for Licensure

After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you can apply for your RN license through the Connecticut Department of Public Health. You must submit your application online and send in any supporting paperwork directly to its office in Hartford, CT.

Required application items include an application fee of $180 and your official nursing school transcripts. You will also need to undergo a background check.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Connecticut

The colleges and universities featured here all offer accredited degree programs that lead to RN licensure in Connecticut. We'll highlight various ADN and BSN options below, some of which offer a hybrid of in-person and online nursing programs.

1. Connecticut State Community College

Connecticut State Community College (CT State Community College) offers ADN programs at its Capital, Gateway, Three Rivers, Northwestern, Norwalk, and Naugatuck Valley campuses. The program is four semesters long and can be completed in two years.

The curriculum consists of 36 to 44 general education credits and 35 nursing course credits. Students may take many of their courses online and gain hands-on experience in simulation labs and clinical rotations in local healthcare settings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $192 per credit (in-state); $578 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

2. Goodwin University

Located in East Hartford, CT, Goodwin University offers an ADN program that can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students can graduate in as few as 20 months. Most of the program's coursework is conducted in person, and nursing students may choose day or evening classes.

Clinical experiences at Goodwin University are chosen by a lottery system. There are evening, weekend, and weekday clinical rotations available at local hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and medical centers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $19,988 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. Central Connecticut State University

Central Connecticut State University (Central) is a mid-sized public school in New Britain, CT. Central offers a traditional BSN degree pathway: students fulfill general education requirements during their first two years of study before taking nursing theory coursework in the final two years.

Nursing students take courses on campus and hone skills at Central's state-of-the-art XR Lab. Clinical rotations take place at healthcare facilities throughout the greater Hartford area. Graduates of Central's BSN program have a 92% first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $13,996 per year (in-state); $20,996 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut (UConn) runs a highly regarded BSN program from its Storrs, CT campus. The UConn School of Nursing ranks among the top nursing programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

UConn's BSN degree program is designed to be taken mainly in person over four years. During the second half of the degree program, students concentrate on nursing theory coursework and learn skills at the Clinical Simulation Learning Center. Students have small-group clinical experiences at a range of area facilities like ambulatory centers, hospitals, schools, and extended care facilities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $21,614 per year (in-state); $44,282 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Arizona College of Nursing - Hartford

Arizona College of Nursing is a private school that offers various nursing degree programs. Students can earn their BSN at its Hartford, CT campus in four years or fewer. Students with qualified transfer credits can earn their BSN in three years.

The nursing program curriculum is a combination of in-person and online coursework, featuring small classes with close attention from faculty. Students gain hands-on training during skills lab work and clinical rotations. Hartford nursing students may be eligible for up to $5,000 in scholarships.

• Estimated tuition cost: $22,525 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Connecticut

The BLS predicts that nursing jobs will continue to grow, with 194,500 new openings each year for the next decade. The national average annual salary for registered nurses is $93,600. The Economic Research Institute (ERI) reports that the average salary for RNs in Connecticut is $108,980 per year.

Degree levels generally correlate with earning potential. For example, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) serve entry-level healthcare roles and earn less than registered nurses and nurse practitioners. RNs with BSN degrees tend to earn more than those with ADN degrees.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Connecticut

The following section answers some frequently asked questions about becoming a nurse in Connecticut, from educational prerequisites to nursing degree costs.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Connecticut?

The cost of a nursing degree varies widely, according to your chosen school, degree program, and any applicable financial aid. An ADN program can range from $6,000 to $50,000, while a BSN program generally ranges from $56,000 to $212,000 in total.

You can keep your nursing education costs low by applying to state schools (which typically offer lower tuition rates than private schools) and applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA determines eligibility for grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. There are many online colleges that accept FAFSA.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Different nursing degree programs have specific educational prerequisites. Generally speaking, nursing degree prerequisites are science- and math-focused, like biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and statistics.

If you haven't already taken these courses, you may take many of these self-paced nursing prerequisites online. To get the most out of your online education experience, choose one of the best laptops for nursing students.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

If you have no prior healthcare experience or education, the fastest way to become a nurse is to earn your ADN degree in two years. This degree pathway is the quickest route to being eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse.

If you are already an LPN, you can enroll in an accelerated ADN program and graduate in about one year. If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you can opt for an ABSN program and earn your second degree in 12 to 16 months.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

Nursing is a challenging yet rewarding profession; likewise, the pathway to becoming a nurse is not necessarily easy. However, there are degree programs that require less time commitment, allowing students to enroll on a part-time basis. This can relieve some of the pressure of nursing coursework.

ADN programs, which are two years long and can often be completed part-time, can be considered one of the easiest nursing degrees. Ultimately, which nursing degree is easiest is a personal choice and depends on your interests, motivations, and professional goals.

Find a Nursing Degree

No matter which nursing degree pathway you choose, there are many program options available. We invite you to connect with Learn.org's partner schools and discover how you can achieve your continuing education goals.