Connecticut Nursing Colleges

Browse nursing schools below.

There are three major educational paths to registered nursing: a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2002, 678 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor’s level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 700 RN programs in 2002 were at the ADN level. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only a small and declining number of programs offer diplomas. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. We have a list of nursing schools with programs available to you in Connecticut below. Also please use the Nursing Career Guide as a resource if you are looking for additional information on nursing careers, training, job outlook etc.

Lincoln Technical Institute * (Cromwell, Shelton, Hamden, New Britain)
After more than 60 years, New England Technical Institute has earned the reputation of being a solid, stable and supportive Connecticut technical school where individuals get trained to start jobs in as little time as possible. Our career-focused training programs get you ready for work without general studies courses. At New England Technical Institute, you'll learn the things you need to get the job you want. Programs: Automotive Technology, Computer, Electronics Technician, Computer, Electronics Technician, Electrician, HVAC Technician Certification, Information Technology Specialist, Medical Assisting, Practical Nursing (LPN), Practical Nursing (LPN), Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts, Medical Assisting, Practical Nursing (LPN).

Online Nursing Colleges

Jacksonville University
RNs with an accredited AA degree may be well on their way towards their BSN degree. Jacksonville University will award up to 32 credit hours for students with an RN license and a maximum of 64 transfer credits from other regionally accredited universities and institutions of higher learning. JU also accepts up to 32 hours through CLEP exams. Programs: RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Location: Online.

University of Phoenix Campus - Campuses Nationwide
Since 1976, University of Phoenix has been a recognized leader in adult education. Their commitment to high educational standards and exceptional student service has made them the largest private accredited university in the United States. With campuses in over 140 locations, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals achieve their academic and career goals every year. Programs Browse all Programs. Campus Locations: Find a campus near you.

Liberty University
Programs: - Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) - Business - Business (MBA) - Counseling - Divinity (M.Div.) - Doctor of Education - Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) - Ed.D – Doctor of Education - Ed.S – Education Specialist - Education (M.Ed.) - General Studies - Nursing Degree Completion Program - Ph.D. Counseling - Psychology (BS) - Religion - Theology Degree (T h.M.)
Locations: New York NY.

Kaplan University (Online)
Kaplan University helps students looking to either change or advance their careers by offering online flexibility, reduced costs, financial aid assistance, and a fast path to a degree. The instructors at Kaplan have the academic background and professional experience that allows them to pass on real-world knowledge to their students. The degree programs have a curriculum that is focused on career goals, and they feature various areas of emphasis. Programs: Accounting - Alternative Dispute Resolution - Branding and Visual Communications - Business - Business Administration/Accounting - Business Administration/Management - Business and Communications Entrepreneur - Computer Information Systems - Corrections - Criminal Justice - Database - E-Business - Elementary - Finance - Health Care Management - Information Technology - Law Enforcement - Management - Management of Information Systems - Management/Health Care Management - Multimedia and Animation - Networking - Paralegal Studies - Private Security - Programming - Sales and Marketing - Secondary - Teaching and Learning - Teaching Literacy and Language - Teaching Students With Special Needs - Teaching With Technology - Web Development - Web Optimization and Integration.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT:PERIOPERATIVE (O.R.) NURSE

Background:

As surgical care advances, so does the scope of nurses’ responsibilities. O.R. nurses are now referred to as Perioperative Registered Nurses to more accurately reflect their duties immediately before, during, and after surgery.

Perioperative registered nurses are relied upon for their professional judgment and critical thinking skills. They may work closely with the surgical patient, family members, and other health care professionals. They help plan, implement, and evaluate treatment of the patient.

Roles:

Perioperative registered nurses provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during and after surgery. These activities include patient assessment, creating and maintaining a sterile and safe surgical environment, pre- and post-operative patient education, monitoring the patient’s physical and emotional well-being, and integrating and coordinating patient care throughout the surgical care continuum.

During surgery, the perioperative registered nurse may assume any of the following responsibilities:

Scrub nurse – works directly with the surgeon within the sterile field by passing instruments, sponges, and other items needed during the surgical procedure.
Circulating nurse – works outside the sterile field. Responsible for managing the nursing care within the O.R. by observing the surgical team from a broad perspective and assisting the team in creating and maintaining a safe, comfortable environment.
RN First Assistant – after completing extensive additional education and training to deliver direct surgical care, the RN First Assistant may directly assist the surgeon by controlling bleeding and by providing wound exposure and suturing during the actual procedure..
Perioperative registered nurses also may work as an O.R. Director, managing budgets, staffing, and other business aspects of the operating room. Some perioperative registered nurses may later consider a career in business as a management consultant, clinical educator, researcher, or medical sales professional.

Specialties:

Surgical subspecialties include neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, trauma, pediatrics, oncology, general surgery, urology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), dental, plastic and reconstructive, and orthopedic.

Practice Settings:

Perioperative registered nurses work in a wide array of urban and rural settings, such as:

Hospital surgical departments
Ambulatory surgery centers (also known as Day Surgery units)
Clinics
Physicians’ offices
Qualifications:

Generally, registered nurses obtain general nursing experience before entering the specialty area of Perioperative Nursing. Two areas that can provide applicable experience are critical care and emergency room care. They are fast-paced, sometimes stressful environments where life-saving decisions that make a difference in a patient’s life are routinely made.

Perioperative registered nurses must be able to interact well with all kinds of people in difficult situations. They need emotional stability to cope with human suffering and frequent emergencies. They must be able to accept responsibility, provide direction to others, coordinate a patient’s health care plan, and collaborate with other health care professionals.

Education:

RN license with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing (BSN), associate degree in nursing (ADN), or hospital diploma.

Salary Range:

The median annual wage for registered nurses in 1997 was $41,400 and the median hourly wage was $18.88, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, some 30 percent of all registered nurses earn between $40,000 and $50,000 and another 16 percent earn from $50,000 to $89,000.

Associations:

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
2170 South Parker Road, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80231-5711
1-800-755-2676
FAX: (303) 755-6300
Web site: http://www.aorn.org

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
101 Columbia, Suite 200
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
949-362-2000
FAX: (949) 362-2020
e-mail: info@aacn.org
Web site: http://www.aacn.org

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
222 South Prospect Avenue
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-692-7050
FAX: (847) 692-6968
e-mail: info@aana.com
Web site: http://www.aana.com

American Nurses Association
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Suite 100 West
Washington, DC 20024
1-800-274-4ANA
FAX: (202) 651-7001
Web site: http://www.ana.org

Emergency Nurses Association
915 Lee Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016-6569
(847) 460-4000
FAX: (847) 460-4001
Web site: http://www.ena.org

National Student Nurses Association
555 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
212-581-2211
FAX: (212) 581-2368
e-mail: nsna@nsna.org
Web site: http://www.nsna.org

Publications:

AORN Journal (http://www.aorn.org/journal)