Become an RN in Connecticut:
FAQs at our Hartford Campus
Become a Registered Nurse with a BSN degree at Arizona College of Nursing – Hartford. Below you will find some of the frequently asked questions that future RN’s often ask our campus faculty and staff.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse (RN)?
The length of time it takes to become an RN with a BSN can vary depending on the program and the student’s prior educational background. Bachelor’s degrees often take 4 years to complete, but with our 3-year BSN program, you can complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 3 years.
If you have completed some college credit or have a degree in another field, qualifying transfer credits can shorten your program length. To learn more about the pathway to becoming an RN with a BSN degree in Connecticut, contact an admissions representative at our Hartford campus.
Preparing Future RNs at Arizona College of Nursing – Hartford
Understanding the differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is crucial to planning your nursing career path. This is because the education requirements between RNs and LPNs vary significantly. An LPN program typically takes about 1-2 years to complete. It is intended to prepare students for entry-level nursing roles to perform basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. While the time commitment to complete an LPN program is relatively short, LPNs often find their employment opportunities very limited.
Click here to read our blog post comparing a LPN Program with a BSN Program.
Students must enroll in a state-approved program. Once completed, Connecticut graduates should have their program director send a verification letter to the Board of Nursing. At the close of the program, students will need to pass a licensing exam and criminal background check. Updated June 2023: Source
Registered Nurses in Connecticut have a median salary of $95,210 per year.
As you will be newly entering the workforce, it’s important to know that you will likely not start at the median rate but would likely increase your earnings with experience.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that Registered Nurses in Connecticut range from a low rate of $71,050, per year, to the highest-paid Nurses earning as much as $119,600 per year.
Updated 09/2023: Source
Registered nurses held about 3.1 million jobs in 2020. The largest employers of registered nurses were as follows:
Hospitals (61%)
Ambulatory healthcare services (18%)
Nursing and residential care facilities (6%)
Government (5%)
Educational services; state, local, and private (3%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Transferring credits can get you on track to complete your program in less time and at a lower cost. Students can progress through our BSN program of study in 3-years or less with qualifying transfer credits, if the courses apply to the program of study. For questions about transfer credits, including credits associated with college level credit test scores, visit our Campus Locations page for details to contact your local campus.
Read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements.
Students of all ages and backgrounds who qualify may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs and payment options including:
- Federal student loans
- Federal PELL and SEOG grants
- Eligible State-based grant programs
- Private educational loans
- Military veteran educational benefits (ex: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®)*
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. The Falls Church, Hartford, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Chesapeake Arizona College of Nursing campuses are not approved to train eligible Veterans and their dependents.
Yes. While every student’s schedule may vary due to prior academic experience, you’ll start your BSN degree program with evening general education courses. In addition, some general education courses are offered in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format.
We offer general education courses in the evening because we know students are busy and often can’t immediately change their entire schedule when starting Nursing school.
Once you begin your Core Nursing courses, your schedule will shift to daytime classes.
As of 2020, there were 34,470 RNs employed in Connecticut.
Registered Nurses jobs in Connecticut are projected to grow by 4% between 2020 and 2030.
RN employment in the United States is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, creating 203,200 new nursing jobs.
Updated August 2023: Data Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-1141.00?st=CT
There are various parts of the cost to become a nurse in the state of Connecticut. First, you must complete an accredited nursing program. Next, RNs in Connecticut must pay the necessary fees ($180 for Initial Licensure by Examination). Connecticut nurses renew every year and pay $110 for renewal fees. Updated June 2023: Source
There is no limit to how many times you can retake the NCLEX in Connecticut, but all applicable exam fees are required each time, and you must wait 45 days from the date of exam administration to retake the NCLEX. After that, you may schedule another exam attempt; however, before this, the candidate must first obtain a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from the Connecticut Board of Nursing. Once the ATT is provided, the candidate may begin the process of rescheduling the NCLEX. Updated June 2023: Source