Top LPN Programs in Connecticut

Connecticut LPN Schools, License Requirements, Job Outlook, and Salary

The state of Connecticut strives to meet the health standards of the community and nation by providing the nursing aspirants with high-quality education and outstanding learning environment. There are many accredited nursing programs in Connecticut that are approved by the Connecticut Nursing Board and seek to promote excellence and professional growth of the nursing students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has predicted that there would be a 16% hike in the jobs of practical nurses from 2014 to 2024. After completion of the Connecticut Board of Nursing approved LPN program, it’s mandatory to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam. Nurses from all other states can also apply for a practical nursing license in Connecticut via endorsement.

Finding the best LPN school in Connecticut might feel like ‘biting off more than you can chew' kind of task and just to make it easy, our team has prepared a list of top nursing schools in Connecticut. The state offers you many technical institutes, private colleges, two-year community colleges, and universities that are solely focused on instilling all the basic and advanced concepts of practical nursing in students, with new and improved ways of education. These institutes are also committed to promoting the intellectual, physical, and economic growth of the nursing students and developing them into the capable and enduring individuals.

LPN Programs in Connecticut

OUR METHODOLOGY +

A nursing school ranks on the top according to the following criteria-

• Higher Passing Rate of Alumni in NCLEX
• Financial Aid that a school provides
• Higher number of students

The nursing schools were then included in the ranking on the basis of following factors-

• Well-developed Architecture
• Better Infrastructure
• Superior Technology
• Ranking in US News and World Report
• Teachings offered by world-class faculty
• Inclusion of world-class facilities
• World-class Opportunities

We hope that the list will help you to opt the best college as per your preferences in the state. The programs available in these colleges will give you an opportunity to begin your journey as a successful nurse.

Connecticut LPN Licensing Requirements

After completion of the practical nursing course, the first thing you would need to do is applying for the practical nursing licensure. It is advised to keep your photo, Social Security Number and other proofs and documents handy while applying for the licensure.

Note:

• All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Your applications will remain active for 12 months from the date of the application. After the expiration of this duration, you would be required to submit a new application.

Licensure by Examination

For In-State Students:

• Applicants who have attended a practical nursing program from a college, school or technical institute that is accredited by the Connecticut Board of Nursing are only eligible to apply for the practical nursing licensure.
• Applicants must have attended a practical nursing program of at least 10 months with a minimum of 1,500 hours of theory. 50% of the contact hours should be completed under the direct supervision in observational and client care experiences.
• Clear the NCLEX-PN exam. You can register for the examination via Pearson Vue. You are supposed to apply for Connecticut licensure once you register with Pearson Vue. Submission of licensure application before registering for the examination may delay approval for you to take the exam.
• Eligible candidates will receive ATT (Authorization To Test) via mail or email. You can schedule your exam via this ATT.
• You will get your exam results via mail. The Department will not release the results through the telephone.

You need to submit the following documents:

• Online application must be submitted along with a fee of $150.00. A paper application will not be accepted.
• Request your nursing school to submit your transcripts to the Department of Public Health, verifying the award of a degree, certificate, or diploma in nursing.

For Outside of the United State Students:

• • Request the Director or Dean of your nursing program to complete and submit Verification of Theory and Clinical Instruction Form to the below-mentioned address.
  • Request the CGFNS International to submit Professional Report to:

Connecticut Department of Public Health
LPN Licensure
410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 12 APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134

License by Endorsement

Individuals who currently hold a practical nursing license in a state other than Connecticut, and want to avail the practical nursing job opportunities by applying for a licensure in Connecticut can do so via endorsement policy of the Department of Public Health of the state.

• Submit the online application for licensure by endorsement along with a fee of $150.00. A paper application will not be accepted.
• Request your nursing school to submit your transcripts to the Department of Public Health, verifying the award of a degree, certificate, or diploma in nursing.
• Licensed nurses of Canada who possess the same educational requirements may also apply for a practical nursing license by endorsement in the state of the Connecticut. In order to do so, they must make sure that they have completed the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) in English with a score equivalent to the current passing standards of the state of Connecticut in National Council Licensure Examination of Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
• If you have completed the CNATS or CPNRE in French, then you must also clear the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) conducted by the ETS (Educational Testing Service). You must score a minimum of 213 and 550 on the computer-based and paper-based test, respectively.
• A verification of having attendant a practical nursing program of at least 10 months with a minimum of 1,500 hours of theory and clinical practice (at least 50% clinical), sent directly to the office of Connecticut Department of Public Health by the Dean or Director of the nursing program
• Request your current or most recent employer to send Work Experience Verification Form directly to the office
• Request the authenticated authority in the U.S. territory, state or Canadian Province where you are currently or has ever been licensed as an LPN to submit verification of all licenses (current or expired) to the office. You may have to pay a fee to most of the jurisdictions for getting the verification form completed
• If your original state of licensure participates in Nursys, you can register for verification by clicking here

Applicants, who have attended a practical nursing program from a school outside of the United States of America and want to apply for Connecticut's practical nursing license by endorsement, need to request a ‘Professional Report' sent directly to the office of the Department of Public Health of Connecticut from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) International.

Temporary Permit

Applicants who have applied for licensure by endorsement and currently holds an active practical license in another state of the United States or territory can apply for a non-renewable temporary permit in order to start working as an LPN. The temporary permit remains valid for just 120 days and to obtain it, the applicant is supposed to request his/her practical nursing program to submit a transcript and the verification of theory and clinical instruction form to the office of the Department of Public Health.

Connecticut Nursing License Verification

Licensed Practical Nurses can verify their license online by accessing the online eLicense service provided by the state of Connecticut. The Department of Public Health of the state maintains and frequently update the information regarding licenses and rosters.

• If you are using the online eLicense service for the first time, then you will be required to register and create an account to get a user ID and password.
• You can either register as an individual or business. You will also be asked to provide your name, email address, last four digits of your social security number, and address zip code.
• Once you register, you will receive a user ID and password that will be required to access the eLicense service and verify your license.

Note: The nursing licensure applicant must make sure to register his/her name on the Connecticut Nurse Aide Registry. You can now search your status in Connecticut State Nurse Aide Registry online by the employer code (In case; your employer issues one) or by your Social Security Number (SSN), name, or the certificate number.

Connecticut Practical Nursing License Renewal

If your practical nursing license is going to expire and you want to apply for a license renewal, then you can do so by using online renewal service provided by the Department of Public Health of Connecticut. You are also supposed to pay the renewal fee. A renewal notification will be sent to you 60 days before the date of expiration with your user ID and password.

Connecticut Practical Nursing License Reinstatement

You can avail the reinstatement service of the Department of Public Health if you missed renewing your practical nursing license. To apply for the reinstatement of a lapsed LPN license, you will be required to fill out an application form with your basic details like name, contact information, address, social security number, and date of birth, and send it to the office of Department of Public Health. You might be asked to provide the following documents and details-

• Details about the practical nursing program; you have attended.
• NCLEX exam details.
• An application fee of $150.
• A brief written information about your past work experience with your positions and dates. Explanations about the lapses in the active practice as a licensed practical nurse (if any). If you are currently working as a licensed practical nurse, then a brief explanation about your employment.
• An official letter sent by your current or most recent employer directly to the office of Department of Public Health of the state of Connecticut for verifying your work details like your position, duration and dates of your work, and experience.

Note: If you are not practicing as an active practical nurse from the past three to five years, then you are required to complete a state-approved practical nursing refresher course in order to apply for a reinstatement. If you have been out of service for more than five years, then you are required not only to attend and complete a state-approved refresher course but also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Duplicate License

In case; you have lost your license, or it is stolen, you can apply for a duplicate license to the Nursing Board of Connecticut. For this, you need to contact the department through an email, providing your name, profession, license number, last 4 digits of your social security number and date of birth. After completely filling all the entries, submit the form.

Name and Address Change

If you have undergone name or address change after applying for the licensure, you need to inform about it to the board. Request form for name or address change is required to be submitted by the applicant via email to the department with his/her name, date of birth, profession, and the last 4 digits of the social security number.

Average Annual Salary of Practical Nurses in Connecticut

According to indeed.com, the average salary of licensed practical nurses in Connecticut was $59,000 per annum (as of August 29, 2016). As per the statistics of the BLS, these professionals earned $26.74 per hour and $55,630 per annum (as of May 2015). Moreover, the salary depends on various factors like experience, education, employer, and geographical area.

Information Source: indeed.com (as of August 29, 2016)

As per as the above information, the maximum salary was $66,000 which was earned by the Psychiatric Nurses, while the minimum salary ($20,000 per annum) was of the Patient Care Technician Students.

Annual Average Salaries of LPNs/LVNs in Various Cities of Connecticut

Name of the Cities	Salary
Bridgeport	$51,089
Danbury	$50,003
Bristol	$47,169
East Hartford	$47,804
Fairfield	$50,003
Hamden	$49,455
Greenwich	$50,400
Hartford	$47,804
Manchester	$47,804
Milford	$51,089
Meriden	$47,169
New Britain	$47,169
New Haven	$49,455
Norwalk	$50,400
New London	$48,300
Norwich	$48,300
Stratford	$51,089
West Hartford	$47,804
Waterbury	$47,169
West Haven	$49,455

Information Source: salary.com

From the above table, we can conclude that LPNs were paid highest (i.e., $51,089) in the cities of Bridgeport, Milford, and Stratford. They earned the least (i.e., $47,169) in Briston, Meridel, New Britain, and Waterbury.

Job Outlook for LPNs in Connecticut

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work as the direct supervisors of the certified nursing assistants and perform their duties under the instructions and supervision of the register nurses, physicians, or surgeons. According to the recent analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job opportunities for the practical nurses are likely to increase by 16% between 2014-2024. The state of Connecticut strives to provide more opportunities and easy and accessible approaches to work and practice to the LPNs so that they can become financially strong, independent and confident, and can help the ill members of the community with their full potential and dedication. There are various community colleges, private institutes, technical colleges, and nursing schools that offer affordable, accessible, and flexible practical nursing programs. So, join your nearby LPN program to grab the upcoming opportunities.