Making an Informed Decision About Nursing in Connecticut
From financial aid and transfer credits to job outlook in Hartford, choosing an RN program means weighing a lot of factors. Our BSN program is built as a pathway to becoming an RN in Connecticut, and we’ve organized the answers by topic to help you move forward with confidence.
Contact our Hartford campus directly for personalized guidance.
Nursing Career Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes to become a registered nurse varies depending on the program and your prior educational background. A typical Bachelor of Science in Nursing program takes four years to complete if you are starting from scratch.
At AZCN’s Hartford campus, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as three years through our RN program. If you have completed prior college coursework, qualifying transfer credits may apply toward your nursing degree, which could reduce both the time and cost to graduation.
Our admissions team can give you a more specific picture of how long your path to a nursing degree would take based on your individual academic background. Contact an admissions representative at the Hartford campus to get started.
RN salaries in Connecticut depend on factors like experience, specialty, and location. In the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford area, registered nurses earn a median salary of $101,210 per year.
If you are new to the workforce, your starting salary will likely fall below that median. Your earnings as a registered nurse will typically grow as you gain clinical experience over time.
For a broader look at nursing salaries across Connecticut, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that statewide RN salaries range from $78,660 per year on the lower end to $132,840 per year for the highest-paid nurses in the state.
Updated 05/2025: Source
View our Hartford nursing market outlook for more information.
Connecticut has a substantial registered nurse workforce, with 35,420 RNs employed in the state as of 2022. That number is expected to keep climbing, with RN jobs in Connecticut projected to grow by 8% between 2022 and 2032.
The demand for registered nurses extends beyond state lines as well. Across the United States, RN employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, accounting for an estimated 189,100 new nursing jobs each year.
Updated 08/2025: Data Source: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-1141.00?st=CT
One of the advantages of earning your RN is the range of work environments open to you. Registered nurses held about 3.4 million jobs across the United States as of 2024, spanning a wide variety of settings.
The largest employers of registered nurses were:
Hospitals (59%)
Ambulatory healthcare services (19%)
Nursing and residential care facilities (6%)
Government (5%)
Educational services; state, local, and private (3%)
Updated 2024. Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
Yes, graduating from an RN program in Connecticut does not limit you to practicing in Connecticut. The path to working in another state depends on where you are licensed and where you want to practice.
Some states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows registered nurses to hold a multistate license and practice across member states without obtaining additional licenses. States that are not part of the NLC require nurses to apply for licensure by endorsement, a process that involves submitting documentation and fees to the new state’s board of nursing.
AZCN’s CCNE-accredited RN program prepares you to sit for the national licensing exam once you graduate. After passing, you will have flexibility in where you choose to build your nursing career. If you have questions about licensure in Connecticut or are considering practicing in another state after earning your nursing degree, our admissions team can help point you in the right direction.
Nursing Program Questions at Arizona College of Nursing – Hartford
If you have already completed college coursework, those credits may count toward your nursing degree at AZCN’s Hartford campus. Students who have qualifying gen ed transfer credits can complete their RN program in three years or less, and applying those credits could also reduce your overall tuition costs.
To find out what credits may be eligible, our admissions team will review your transcripts and walk you through how your prior education could apply toward your nursing degree. For a full overview of credit transfer requirements, read more about Arizona College of Nursing’s credit transfer requirements.
Qualifying students at AZCN’s Hartford campus have access to 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®)
AZCN also offers scholarship opportunities for eligible students. To explore your options, visit our financial aid page.
Yes. AZCN’s Hartford campus offers evening general education courses to accommodate students who are balancing other responsibilities when they first start their nursing degree. Some general education courses are also available in a convenient on-campus/online hybrid format.
Evening classes are offered because many students cannot immediately restructure their entire schedule when starting an RN program. Once you begin your core nursing courses, your schedule will shift to daytime classes.
Contact our admissions team to learn more about class scheduling at AZCN Hartford and how you can earn your nursing degree in just three years.
At AZCN’s Hartford campus, two things determine whether you are ready to apply: a 2.75 cumulative GPA from your high school or college coursework and a qualifying score on the HESI A2. It is worth knowing that your HESI A2 score may also play a role in whether a GPA waiver applies to your application.
Have questions about your transcripts or entrance testing? Our admissions team is your first call. For anything related to financial aid, our finance team can review your eligibility and walk you through your options. You can also get a full overview of what the application process looks like on our admissions page.
AZCN does not have a waitlist, so accepted students can move forward without sitting in a queue. With new sessions opening approximately every eight weeks, you have multiple opportunities throughout the year to begin working toward your nursing degree. Whatever time of year you are ready to start, a new session is never far off.
For more details on the application process, visit our admissions page.
The nursing degree curriculum at AZCN’s Hartford campus is designed to give you a thorough grounding across the key areas of nursing practice. Throughout your RN program, you will cover subjects including clinical thinking, community health, critical care, gerontology, leadership, surgical care, obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatric care.
Arizona College of Nursing – Hartford does not currently offer an LPN to BSN or LPN to RN bridge program. However, students with LPN experience are welcome to enroll in our three-year nursing degree and work toward their BSN degree alongside other students in the program.
Coming in with LPN experience gives you a foundation that many of your peers will not have, particularly when it comes to clinical training. To find out more about how your background could factor into your experience in our RN program, get in touch with our admissions team directly.
Arizona College of Nursing’s Hartford campus does not offer a fully online nursing program, though most AZCN campuses do offer some online nursing courses. The curriculum includes a mix of in-person, online, and blended classes. At the majority of campuses, many non-clinical courses are offered asynchronously and delivered fully online, while nursing courses with a clinical component are held in person.
General education courses at the Hartford campus also incorporate a blended learning experience, with both evening and virtual class options providing flexibility for students balancing other responsibilities. To learn more about online course formats at AZCN Hartford and how you can earn your nursing degree in three years, contact our admissions team.
Comparing nursing schools in Connecticut comes down to a few key factors worth researching before you commit. Start by looking at program length and format to make sure the schedule works for your life, particularly if you are working or managing family responsibilities. It is also worth asking about admissions processes, since some programs have long waitlists that could push back your start date significantly.
Beyond logistics, look closely at clinical partnerships and practical training opportunities, as the quality of your real-world experience will shape your confidence and readiness when you enter the workforce. You will also want to consider what academic support and financial aid resources are available to you as a student.
At Arizona College of Nursing in Hartford, our three-year nursing degree includes flexible scheduling, a streamlined admissions process with no waitlist, and clinical rotations with partners across Connecticut. Our admissions team is available to answer your questions and help you take the next step.
General Nursing College FAQs
Understanding the differences between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is an important part of planning your nursing career path in Connecticut. LPN/LVN programs prepare you to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in certain states. BSN programs prepare you to become a registered nurse (RN).
LPN programs typically take one to two years to complete and focus on entry-level nursing roles, where you will provide basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. The scope of practice for an LPN is more limited than that of an RN.
To become an RN, you typically need either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). BSN programs take three to four years to complete and provide a more comprehensive nursing education, enabling you to work across a wider range of nursing settings. RNs have a broader scope of practice than LPNs, including patient care planning and diagnostic testing, and generally have more opportunities for career advancement and higher earning potential.
If your goal is to work as a registered nurse, both an ADN and a BSN can get you there, though a BSN generally opens more doors in terms of career advancement and earning potential. For a detailed side by side look at how these roles compare, visit our page comparing an LPN program with a BSN program.
Connecticut does not cap the number of times you can retake the NCLEX-RN, but there are a few things to keep in mind between attempts. Each time you sit for the exam, you will be responsible for paying all applicable fees. You also cannot reschedule immediately after an attempt, as there is a mandatory 45-day waiting period from your exam date before you are eligible to test again.
Once that waiting period has passed, your next step is to request a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from the Connecticut Board of Nursing. You can begin scheduling your next attempt after your ATT has been issued.
Updated June 2023: Source
The cost of becoming a nurse in Connecticut varies depending on the type of nursing role you are pursuing and the program required to get there. Different nursing paths, such as becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN), involve different levels of education and therefore different costs. In general, the longer and more comprehensive the program, the greater the overall investment.
If you’d like to become a registered nurse, you will first need to complete an accredited RN program, which represents the most significant portion of your overall investment. Beyond tuition, registered nurses in Connecticut are required to pay $180 for initial licensure by examination. After that, your RN license renews annually at a cost of $110.
Updated June 2023: Source
Connecticut has a few key requirements you need to meet before you can practice as a registered nurse. Your first step is enrolling in and completing a state-approved RN program. Once you have finished your program, your program director will need to send a verification letter to the Connecticut Board of Nursing. After completing your nursing degree, you will also need to pass a licensing exam and clear a criminal background check.
Updated June 2023: Source
Becoming a nurse starts with deciding which nursing role is the right fit for your goals. The most common paths include registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and nurse practitioner (NP), each with its own educational and licensing requirements.
Once you have identified the role you want to pursue, your next step is to research and enroll in the relevant nursing education program. For example, RNs are required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain licensure after completing their program. Because each nursing role has specific requirements, it is important to understand what applies to your chosen path before you begin.
To become an RN in Connecticut, you need to complete an accredited nursing program that includes coursework, clinical experience, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam. Arizona College of Nursing’s Hartford campus offers a three-year nursing degree that covers all of these components.
After graduating from your RN program, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain your RN license in Connecticut. For detailed information on the specific steps and requirements that apply to you, contact our admissions office.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an undergraduate college degree that prepares you with the training and knowledge needed for a career in nursing. The BSN curriculum covers both general education and advanced nursing studies, giving you a well-rounded foundation for practice as a registered nurse.
If you are looking to maximize your options for employment in your preferred state and city, earning a BSN is worth considering. Many employers, including Magnet-designated hospitals, require or prefer nurses who hold a BSN or higher.
Both an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can lead to a career as a registered nurse, but the education involved is not equivalent. A BSN provides a deeper educational foundation and more extensive clinical training than an ADN, which translates to broader preparation for the realities of nursing practice.
A BSN also tends to carry more weight with employers and opens doors to additional job growth opportunities. One example is employment with Magnet-designated hospitals, which receive their recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and are considered among the most prestigious employers in nursing due to their standards around patient care and professional development. These institutions prefer to hire only nurses who hold a BSN or higher.
To learn more about the difference between these nursing degrees visit our page “What’s the Difference Between an ADN and a BSN?“
Nursing assistants work under the supervision of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals, focusing on hands-on patient support. Day-to-day responsibilities typically include helping patients with daily activities, tracking vital signs, and providing assistance with mobility.
For many people exploring a career in nursing, working as a nursing assistant is a common starting point. In Connecticut, you can find these positions across a range of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and other care facilities. Many nursing assistants eventually decide to advance their education and pursue a BSN program to become a registered nurse.
No prior nursing assistant experience is needed to begin your nursing degree at AZCN. Many students start their BSN education without any background in a clinical setting, and the program is designed to provide all of the foundational knowledge and clinical training you need to become a registered nurse.
Some students do choose to gain nursing assistant experience before or during their studies, but it is not a requirement for admission to our RN program. What matters most is your commitment to learning and your desire to build a career in nursing.