Nursing Schools in Connecticut

Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) is located in Norwich, Connecticut. This school boasts 29 acres of educational facilities and is a truly great place to receive an education. Students will be able to learn and laugh as they pursue one of the many areas of study that are available. The school offers several different degree programs and certificate programs for prospective students to consider. This is a very modern college that strives to provide a safe environment for all of its students. TRCC provides students with an inclusive and accessible place where they can learn and make friends. It has 30,000 square feet of lab space, as well as 10,000 square feet of library and study space.

Nursing is one of the important pillars of this college. Those who attend the nursing program at TRCC will be given a rigorous education that will prepare them for the difficulties of being a professional nurse. The success rate of this nursing program is very high and students will receive an associate degree upon successful completion of all of the courses. Nursing students will learn all of the best techniques and will be able to gain real experience. All of these experiences will prove valuable and will translate into having an easier time transitioning into a nursing career. Students will be properly prepared for all NCLEX licensure examinations upon graduation.

The University of Connecticut – Avery Point campus was founded in 1967 as a public research university. Students can enjoy a small college setting while studying at state-of-the-art academic facilities. The college is located on 72-acres of coastal land, giving students convenient access to the ocean. The campus includes 28 buildings, including several historic buildings. However, the university also received funds for a $50 million renovation project to improve several academic buildings on the campus. They also offer a low student to faculty ratio, ensuring that every student receives the attention of the professors and instructors.  

Each semester, over 7,000 students enroll in the various graduate and undergraduate programs available at UConn Avery Point, including the nursing program. Students may enroll in the CEIN/BS program, which is currently the only nursing program offered at the Avery Point Campus. Traditional BSN and MSN programs are available at the UConn Storrs campus. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field may apply for this program to earn a BSN and a post-baccalaureate certificate. The program is designed to be completed within 12 months with full-time study. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the registered nurse licensing exam.

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is a state university with the main campus in New Haven, Connecticut, making it a short trip to Boston, New York City, and local hiking trails or beaches. The university started as a two-year teacher training school in 1893. The school was renamed and became part of the Connecticut State University system in 1983. The university now offers over 225 academic programs and maintains a student to teacher ratio of 14:1. Along with a low student to teacher ratio, the school provides students with the chance to intern or volunteer at local schools, soup kitchens, and hospitals.

The Department of Nursing at SCSU was established in 1969. They offer a traditional BSN program, along with an accelerated career entry program and an RN to BSN program for undergrads.  The undergraduate BSN program is designed to be completed in two years when classes are taken full-time. Admission is competitive, with 150 to 180 students applying each semester for the BSN program and only 60 to 80 are accepted. The MSN programs include three specialty tracks – Nursing Education, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Family Nurse Practitioner. The Department of Nursing at SCSU also offers study abroad opportunities for undergrads and grads going through the nursing programs.

Fairfield University is a private research university in Fairfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1942 by the Society of Jesus and is still a non-profit Jesuit Catholic university and a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university offers 43 majors and 19 minors for undergrads, with the nursing programs receiving the most admissions. The programs are offered through five colleges and schools, including the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. The school is also growing. The student body population reached 4,100 full-time undergraduates and 1,100 grad students for the 2017 semester.

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies offers several areas of study for students interested in a career in nursing, and it is ranked as one of the top 10 best colleges for a degree in nursing. These programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The school offers a traditional BSN undergraduate program, along with an MSN with several specialties. Fairfield University also has partnerships with several local clinics, hospitals, and community health centers. MSN students may study for Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Management, Nurse Anesthesia, and Psych Nurse Practitioner.

Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC) is a public two-year community college that is located in Winsted, Connecticut. This is a relatively small community college with just over 1,500 enrolled students. It was established in 1965 and has been serving the Winsted community diligently ever since. This school offers students various opportunities to earn certificates and associate degrees. This state-funded college has many great programs for students to peruse and it will be simple for any student to find an appealing career path. NCCC is well known for conducting the states only Veterinary Technology Program and it has several other programs that are held in high regard.

Nursing is a very important program for NCCC as it is one of the more popular options. Many students attend the nursing program at NCCC each year and are given a very in-depth education. This nursing program prepares students to become valuable members of the medical community by offering them the chance to hone their technical skills. Aside from technical skills, students will also be learning theory and all of the other important aspects of being a nurse. Nursing students can earn an associate in science degree and then will be prepared to take the NCLEX examination for licensure. 

The University of Connecticut is a public research university in Storrs, Connecticut founded in 1881. The main campus sits on 4,400-acres of land about a half hour’s drive from Hartford. It is one of the highest ranked public universities in the New England region and is recognized as a Public Ivy university. This designation implies that the university offers an education comparable to Ivy League schools. The university also houses the largest public research collection in the state, with the main library located in the center of campus. Admission is competitive, with 54% of new students ranking in the top tenth of their graduating class.

The University of Connecticut School of Nursing Storrs campus offers nursing students several options to reach their education goals. The programs offered include a traditional BSN, along with MSN or RN to MSN program. These programs are all accredited by the CCNE and provide students the chance to practice their skills in real clinical settings. Besides these typical nursing programs, the school offers a CEIN/BS program to help graduate students receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing within one-year. This program is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.

The University of Saint Joseph is a private Roman Catholic university in West Hartford, Connecticut. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 on an 84-acre campus. Approximately 45% of undergrads live on campus. The University of Saint Joseph is a small college, with an enrollment of 2,467 students during the Fall 2016 semester. However, the smaller size allows for a smaller student to faculty ratio, allowing faculty to spend more one-on-one time with each student. Since its founding, the university has only admitted women. In 2016, the university voted to begin admitting male students starting with the Fall 2018 semester.

The University of Saint Joseph offers several options for students pursuing a career in nursing. The available nursing programs include BSN, RN to BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, and RN to MSN programs. These programs offer a low 8:1 student to faculty ratio. The school has a state-of-the-art simulation center and nursing laboratory, while clinical courses start with the sophomore year of the BNS program. Clinical experience is offered through partnerships with the Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and several other prominent healthcare facilities in the area. All programs are also accredited by the CCNE.

The University of Connecticut-Tri-Campus is a public university with undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The campus was established over 60 years ago in Waterbury, Connecticut. Waterbury is about 77 miles northeast of New York City and 33 miles southwest of Hartford. Nicknamed the Brass City, Waterbury was home to a large industrial industry. It is now home to the UConn Waterbury campus, with programs geared toward business, law, education, and politics. Many of the programs require students to transfer to the main campus in Storrs after completing their first two years.

The University of Connecticut-Tri-Campus in Waterbury only offers two nursing paths. They offer a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and an accelerated BSN program. The traditional program provides students with clinical experience at nearby clinics. Both programs are accredited by the CCNE and approved by the Connecticut State Board of Nurse Examiners. The BSN is a traditional 4-year baccalaureate program, with the first two years of classes completed at the Waterbury campus. The accelerated program is designed for those with a baccalaureate degree in fields other than nursing. UConn does offer additional nursing programs. However, these nursing programs are mostly offered at the main campus in Storrs, Connecticut.

The University of Connecticut Stamford campus was established in 1952, a year after UConn began offering extension courses at a former high school in Stamford. The original Stamford campus offered just five courses and now offers thirteen undergraduate degree programs, including an accelerated pre-licensure program for nursing students. The campus also just recently opened its first permanent residence hall, providing accommodations for 290 students. The primary focus of the campus is business and technology, and they work closely with several Fortune 500 companies. However, they do provide a limited selection of courses in other fields, including history, psychology, and human development.

The University of Connecticut Stamford only offers one nursing program for students wanting to start a career in nursing. The CEIN/BS program offers students an accelerated, one-year program to earn a BSN and a post-baccalaureate certificate. Students must already have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and allows students to earn an APRN certificate upon completion of the program. The program is offered through the UConn School of Nursing, which has offered nursing programs for over 50 years. Additional nursing degrees are offered through the other University of Connecticut campuses.

Gateway Community College is a two-year institution that is based out of New Haven, Connecticut. This school offers its students an excellent learning environment that focuses on preparing them for careers as professionals. There are many areas of study for students to pursue and it will be a good way for anyone to further their career goals. With over 150 degree and certificate programs, this is a school that can provide students with the right education. Everything from automotive certificates to math, science, and technical degrees can be earned at this college. It has a stellar reputation in the area and has been providing students with great educations for quite some time.

This school also offers a renowned nursing program that many people choose to take advantage of.  Instructors are all experienced professionals who can provide students with their years of expertise in the field of nursing. All of the training that students will receive is going to prepare them to take the licensure examinations upon graduation. 

Quinnipiac University is a private university in Hamden, Connecticut near Sleeping Giant State Park. It was founded in 1929 and the first graduating class included just eight students. The university now serves over 9,000 students each semester and offers 58 undergrad majors and 20 graduate programs. The university is also home to the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, which is nationally recognized for its reliable independent surveys conducted throughout the US. Major new organizations often cite these surveys. The university also prepares its students for success. Nearly 97.5% of graduates are either employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.

The Quinnipiac University School of Nursing takes a holistic approach to teaching. It is also one of only 12 nursing schools in the country offering programs that are endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation. The programs are taught within the Center for Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, giving students hands-on training working with integrated teams in a real healthcare setting. Undergrad programs include BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. Many of the graduate programs are offered online, including the RN to MSN program and MSN in the Operational Leadership program. 97% of undergrads and grads who complete one of these programs are employed or continuing their education after graduation.

Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) is a two-year college that is located in Waterbury, Connecticut. This school was originally established in 1962 and it has built up a great reputation in the community. NVCC has many different programs that will allow students to pursue their dreams. There are a variety of different associate degrees and certificates that will be able to be granted by this institution. It has a campus that is 110 acres and it has many special buildings to help give students the proper resources that they need. Aside from classrooms and laboratories, NVCC also has a student center that features a game room and a full cafeteria. Students will also be able to enjoy the Fine Arts Center that houses two full theaters as well as dance studios, music rooms, and much more.

The nursing program at NVCC is held in high regard by the community. This is a nursing program that has helped many people to find success as professional nurses throughout the years. This associate degree nursing program offers students a four-semester curriculum that will prepare them for becoming a professional nurse. It is a program that is designed to give students the right mix of practical skills, knowledge of theory, and the understanding of what is expected of nurses in a professional setting. 

Norwalk Community College (NCC) is a two-year college that is located in Norwalk, Connecticut. This school was originally established in 1961 and it boasts just over 6,000 students. As a medium-sized community college, it offers a very good education to any students that sign up for courses. This school has an open admission policy and offers several different degrees and certificate programs. Credits earned at this school are transferable within the Connecticut State University system. It offers students a convenient educational opportunity with many different avenues to pursue.

The Connecticut Community Colleges ADN program is very renowned. This program helps nursing students to gain all of the necessary knowledge and skills that they need to succeed in their nursing career. It is a four-semester program that is designed to prepare nursing students in the most thorough ways possible. It teaches critical thinking, safety, technical skills, professionalism, communication, and so much more. Successful graduates of the program will receive an associate in science degree and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure. The nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). All courses are approved by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing with the consent of the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Capital Community College is a two-year institution that is located in Hartford, Connecticut. This community college is the only public undergraduate school in Hartford. The school was originally established in 1967 and has undergone many changes since then. In 1992, this school merged with the Hartford State Technical College. It was renamed Capital Community Technical College before reverting back to being called Capital Community College in the year 2000. The school currently serves over 3,000 students and it offers a variety of different courses that are focused in several areas of study. It is an accredited institution that is recognized by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

The Connecticut Community College Nursing Program is very innovative and is respected in the area. The program allows students to earn an associate degree in nursing. The students that make up this program are diverse and committed to finding success in the medical field. The nursing program is approved by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing with the consent of the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).