Online ABSN Programs in Connecticut: Exploring Schools
Have a bachelor’s and thinking about a switch to nursing? Several Connecticut schools offer accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs designed specifically for career changers, allowing you to earn your nursing degree in less time. Below, we highlight three Connecticut schools with flexible, hybrid ABSN options and break down key details such as program length, costs, and admissions requirements.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Education Editorial Healthcare Education Editorial Senior Care Dementia Care
Nursing Nursing Ed.Jump To Section
You might be interested in:
Profiling 3 Connecticut ABSNs (Online/Hybrid)
Fast-track your path to a nursing career in Connecticut with an accelerated BSN program that makes the most of your existing bachelor’s degree. Since you’ve already completed the general education requirements in your first degree, you can focus exclusively on nursing-specific coursework, making your journey to becoming a nurse significantly shorter.
This streamlined approach is a good fit for both those looking to change careers as well as licensed nurses who have accumulated general education credits and nursing experience but haven’t yet earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Accelerated BSN programs can be hybrid or online:
- Hybrid: courses are part online and part on-campus; this may include face-to-face lectures on some days and online testing on other days
- Online: courses are entirely online; students can expect virtual lectures, online group discussions, and online exams
Though online learning options provide students with great flexibility, in-person clinical hours at healthcare sites will be required for either program type, given the hands-on nature of the nursing field.
At EduMed, we’ve identified three outstanding programs in Connecticut that offer a mix of in-person and online components.
Quinnipiac University
The Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN) from Quinnipiac University enables students with a previously earned bachelor’s degree to pivot toward a fulfilling career in nursing.
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (HNB-BC), the program offers essential nursing coursework and clinical practice.
Features:
- Offers on-site learning at the North Haven campus
- Some course lectures are offered online
- Clinical training provided in various healthcare settings
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN test for licensure
- Offers January and August start dates
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $83,499 for the entire program
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- Prerequisite coursework
Core Curriculum:
- Core Concepts in Nursing and Practicum
- Nursing Science and Information Literacy
- Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice
- Health Assessment
- Care of Women, Newborns and Families
- Care of Children and Families and Practicums
- Care of Adults with Complex Health Needs and Practicums
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapy
- Holistic Nursing Integration Labs
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and Practicum
- Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Scholarship
- Community and Public Health Nursing and Practicum
- Contemporary Issues and Roles in Nursing
- Transition to Professional Practice
- Capstone Seminar Lab
Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University’s accelerated BSN combines online lectures with in-person, on-campus labs, and clinical training hours at partner healthcare sites.
Features:
- Access to virtual reality and virtual simulation labs, allowing students to explore best nursing practices in a wider variety of settings
- Faculty specializes in different areas of nursing and creates room in the curriculum for students to explore and select areas of interest to them
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, including access to virtual and in-person study materials
Duration: 15 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $38,520 resident, $39,520 non-resident
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts from regionally accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- Prerequisite courses with grades of C+ or better
- Application essay
- Two letters of professional or academic recommendation
Core Curriculum:
- Introduction to Nursing Theories
- Nutrition
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Care of Well Populations
- Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions
- Gerontological Nursing
- Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice
- Altered Health Concepts and Therapeutic Interventions
- Holistic Care of Adults with Health Alterations
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
- Maternity Nursing: The Expanding Family
- Social Justice and Health Promotion of Communities
- Nursing Care of Families with Children
- Holistic Nursing Care of the Critically Ill
- Professional Values and Role Development
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
- Synthesis of Professional Nursing Practice
Sacred Heart University
The accelerated BSN program at Sacred Heart University is a unique year-round program accredited by the CCNE. Targeting students who have already earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the program comprises 58 required credits, with the rest of the bachelor’s degree transferred from the previously earned degree.
Features:
- Some online components, such as online testing platforms students use to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam
- Access to a high-fidelity simulation center for strengthening of technical skills and soft skills needed for work in various healthcare settings
- Boasts a 98% NCLEX pass rate in 2024
- Starts in May and finishes in August the following year
Duration: 15 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $47,560
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts
- GPA of 3.0 or better
- Application essay
- Letter of professional or academic recommendation
- Resume
- Transcripts showing
- Prerequisite courses
Core Curriculum:
- Foundations of Professional Nursing and Lab
- Pharmacology & Nursing Implications
- Pharmacology Lab
- Health, Wellness, and Cultural Diversity
- Health Assessment and Lab
- Pathophysiology
- Care of the Childbearing Family
- Human Journey Seminar
- Introduction to Adult Nursing
- Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Concepts in Child Health Nursing
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
- Adult Nursing
- Nursing Leadership
- Public Health Nursing
- Senior Synthesis Seminar
- Transition Into Professional Nursing Practice
Get Answers: Accelerated BSN Student FAQs
While the spotlights above provide a holistic look at what an accelerated BSN program looks like, they can’t answer all your questions. Admittedly, this FAQ section can’t either, but it does answer the five of the most frequently asked questions, covering the length of an accelerated BSN program, financial aid options, how much of an online program can be completed online, and more.
Are there any accelerated BSNs in Connecticut that are completely online?
Unfortunately, no. While several programs offer online components, you won’t find a fully online accelerated BSN program. That’s because the nature of the career requires technical and soft skills that can only be acquired via hands-on learning, labs, and clinicals.
You can think of accelerated BSN programs as fast-track options to a nursing career, given you’ve already built some transferable skills in your previous academic coursework. However, you’ll still need to complete in-person program components.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Connecticut?
The cost of an accelerated BSN varies greatly from school to school. In fact, tuition and fees at the schools highlighted here range from $38,520 to $83,499.
Factors that can influence costs include:
- In- vs. out-of-state residency
- Program format
- Additional fees
- Completion of prerequisites
- School type (public vs. private)
However, there are many online BSN programs with financial aid, including, student loans, scholarships, grants, and fellowship programs. Plus, if you’re employed while getting your degree, you may be able to access an employer tuition reimbursement program, especially if you currently work in healthcare.
How long does it take to complete an accelerated BSN online in Connecticut?
Most accelerated BSN programs can be completed in 12 to 15 months. Additionally, if you didn’t complete a specific school’s prerequisites—such as anatomy, statistics, physiology, biology, etc.—in your previous undergraduate coursework, completing them will take additional time.
Some accelerated programs are also designed for registered nurses who want to go back to school for their BSN. If you’re already an RN and you want to obtain a BSN degree, the timeframe for the RN to BSN transition is often three semesters.
What are the prerequisites for applying to nursing school?
The exact required courses for admission differ by institution, but the typical prerequisites include:
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Once in your accelerated BSN program or any other undergraduate nursing program, you’ll start coursework on nursing fundamentals, health assessment skills (most likely with lab requirements), nutrition (if needed), and the integration of pathophysiology and pharmacology. Education covering health policy and health systems may also be included.
What are the downsides of an accelerated BSN program?
One downside to an ABSN is the short period in which students must adapt to nursing culture. Where traditional direct-entry BSN students are integrated over four years, ABSN students only have one year to transition.
This difficulty can be mitigated if students are observant, open to learning, and willing to ask questions. Plus, if you’re already working in healthcare in some capacity, the transition can be much easier.
Expert Insight
Before beginning nursing school, consider becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA). I completed a three-month CNA program before starting nursing school. Because I had already learned some basic nursing skills like checking blood pressure and helping patients with their mobility, it made nursing school feel less intimidating.
Career Pivot: Connecticut’s New Nurses
Completing an accelerated BSN program in Connecticut has many benefits. Not only can you complete the program in a condensed timeline and graduate sooner than you would in a traditional BSN program, but you also get a high return on the investment.
Here’s three benefits of becoming an RN in Connecticut:
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs are in high demand and the average salary for this position is $94,480.
- There’s a growing need for nurses in Connecticut, making it relatively easy to find relevant roles.
- You can make a tangible difference in patients’ lives, and that level of impact can be difficult to find in many modern careers.
Becoming an BSN-prepared nurse in Connecticut also places you one step closer to earning an advanced nursing degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), which can propel you into leadership roles in nursing management, nursing education, and research.
