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 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:
- Fully online: Coursework is completely remote, including lectures with professors and groupwork with classmates
- Partially online (hybrid or blended): Coursework, labs, and clinical experiences are attended both online and in person
Program delivery may be either synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the specific course:
- Synchronous: Students attend classes and take exams on certain days at particular times, whether in person or in a remote environment
- Asynchronous: Students engage in class activities on their own schedule, for example, listening to a pre-recorded lecture whenever convenient
Regardless of learning format or program structure, most LPN to RN courses and labs will be attended on campus. And LPN to RN students in Connecticut, whether attending school 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 to help you better understand how distance learning works in the state for LPN to RN students.
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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (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
- 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
- Submit Immunization Form or Titer Test Results
Curriculum:
Semester 1 (Spring)
- Anatomy and Physiology I (and Lab)
- Written Expression I
- Examined Life I
- Biostatistics/Math for Healthcare
Semester 2 (Summer)
- Anatomy and Physiology II (and Lab)
- Written Expression II
Semester 3 (Fall)
- Microbiology (and Lab)
- General Organic Biochemistry (and Lab)
- Examined Life II
- Fine Arts
Intersession
- LPN-to-RN Transition
Semester 4 (Spring)
- Nursing Health Assessment Laboratory
- Nursing Pharmacology
- Religion
- History
Semester 5 (Summer)
- Transitional Mental Health Lecture & Clinical
Semester 6 (Fall)
- Community Nursing Lecture & Clinical
- Nursing Informatics
- Philosophy
- Intersession
- International/Global Studies
Semester 7 (Spring)
- Transition Adult Acute & Chronic Care Management Lecture
- Evidence-Based Practice w/ Nursing Research
- Population Health Nursing
Semester 8 (Summer)
- Senior Seminar
- Elective
Semester 9 (Fall)
- Elective
- Professional Nursing Practice Lecture & Clinical
- Nursing Leadership
Following successful passing of the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenging Exam (NACE), the student is awarded 21 total credits for the following courses:
- Foundational Nursing Lecture and Clinical
- Introduction to Psychology
- Nursing Skills Laboratory
- Nursing Pathophysiology
- 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 Associate Degree in Nursing (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
- Successfully complete the CT State online LPN to AD RN Bridge course and the college-based LPN to RN Transition course
Curriculum:
Prerequisites
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- English Composition
- Statistics or higher
- College & Career Success
CT-CCNP Program Requirements
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Microbiology
- General Psychology
- Life Span Development
- Principles of Sociology
- Articulation Bridge Course
- LPN to RN Articulation Bridge Course (completed online through Charter Oak State College)
First Semester
- Concept Based Curriculum LPN to RN Transition
- LPN Articulation Credits Awarded (15 credits)
Second Semester
- Nursing in Health & Illness III
- English Composition II & Literature (or any ENG course that meets the Written Communication II outcomes)
Third Semester
- Nursing in Health & Illness IV
- Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
- 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 and begin their nursing coursework.
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
- English Composition
- English elective course
- Introduction to Psychology
- Lifespan Development
- Introduction to Sociology
- Humanities elective course
Science Core
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- Microbiology
Nursing Major Core
- Adults and the Wellness Continuum II
- Families and the Wellness Continuum
- 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?
The time it takes to complete an LPN to RN program in Connecticut depends on your school of choice and the degree you pursue:
- Associate degree (LPN to ADN): one to two years
- Bachelor’s degree (LPN to BSN): three to four years
LPN to RN students in Connecticut may be able to shorten their program times due to several factors, including application of the Articulation Model and the awarding of credits for prior LPN education and experience.
Expert Insight
If you’re still deciding if you should pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree through your LPN to RN program, consider that an ADN is much quicker to earn, but a BSN generally leads to higher pay and greater job opportunities. Most employers prefer to hire RNs with a bachelor’s degree.
Will I be eligible for financial aid to help pay for my LPN to RN education?
Yes, 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
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 through these resources:
How do I obtain my Connecticut RN license?
An LPN in Connecticut seeking to become a registered nurse for the first time will take the following steps to obtain their state RN license:
- Earn a degree: Complete a state-approved Connecticut nursing program or out-of-state program. Out-of-state programs are reviewed and approved on an individual basis.
- Pass an exam: Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Pay fees: Apply for licensure and pay the application fee to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.
- Other: 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 these ways:
- Exam structure
- Strategies and skills needed to pass
- Registration process 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.
