Registered nursing is one of the fastest-growing, in-demand fields in the world of healthcare – and in the job market as a whole! More than ever, employers are looking for aspiring Registered Nurses (RNs) like you to step up and make a difference in the lives of patients. The question is, where do you begin?

When thinking about “RN requirements,” it’s easy to assume that becoming a nurse means years and years of schooling and clinical rotations. For some, sure, it can. But did you know that, to become an RN in Connecticut, you only need a two-year degree? And that, in some schools, you can earn this (and land a nursing career) in even less time? Below, Goodwin College outlines the various state-wide and school-specific requirements needed to become an RN.

Connecticut’s Registered Nurse Requirements

A formal nursing education. According to the Connecticut League of Nursing, to become an RN in Connecticut, RNs must earn a nursing degree from a state-approved nursing school, or a diploma from a hospital nursing program. The most common path, and also the standard expectation among employers, however, is for candidates to have a formal nursing degree such as:

• An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – An associate degree in Nursing is a standard RN requirement in Connecticut. An ADN degree typically takes about two years to complete, combining classroom and clinical learning experiences, and teaching aspiring nurses the fundamental skillsets needed in patient care.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) – While an associate degree is the usual RN educational requirement, the majority of healthcare employers in Connecticut express a strong preference for bachelor’s-level graduates. BSN nurses have more developed skillsets in research, physical assessment, community healthcare, critical thinking, and nursing leadership, making them ideal candidates for an RN position. Many RNs looking to jump into nursing quickly will earn their associate degree in Nursing, land an entry-level job in the field, and later earn their BSN degree through a flexible, part-time RN-to-BSN program.

An RN license. All states, including Connecticut, require practicing Registered Nurses to have a nursing license. Nurses can earn their RN license only after they have graduated from an approved nursing program and passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN exam is a standardized test that evaluates a nurse’s comprehension of nursing skills, ethics, best practices, and patient care. Successful completion of this exam grants students the title of a licensed Registered Nurse.

Preliminary RN Requirements to Get Into Nursing School

One of the core requirements to become an RN is to go to nursing school – but what do nursing schools require of aspiring RNs? This is an important question to ask as you prepare for your journey to become a Registered Nurse. In Connecticut, nursing school requirements can vary depending on your institution and program of choice. However, there are usually several prerequisite general education classes that must be completed before getting into the nursing program – establishing your fundamentals in math, biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and other important, related coursework. You can learn more about Goodwin College’s nursing prerequisites here. All prerequisites must be completed before enrolling in Nursing 100, your first nursing course. Credits can be transferred from other schools.

To apply to a nursing school like Goodwin in Connecticut, you also have to submit a series of applications and documentation, as well as successfully complete a pre-admission exam. At Goodwin College, for example, prospective RN students must complete:

1. The application for admission into Goodwin College
2. The specific Nursing Program application
3. Successful completion of the NLN (National League of Nursing) pre-entrance exam, which, unlike at other nursing schools, is administered three times per year at Goodwin College

Once accepted, your nursing school of choice will also have a series of RN requirements for you to fulfill. All nursing schools, for example, require that students become certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) before starting their program. You will also have to undergo a background check and drug screening – which, at Goodwin College, is covered in your tuition costs – as well as submit a medical examination report by your physician. All of these requirements ensure that each prospective nurse is qualified, as well as physically and emotionally prepared, for a clinical, patient care setting.

Upon completion of the above requirements, you will be ready to apply for your Associate Degree in Nursing! If you are interested in learning about the BSN-level requirements at Goodwin College, please click here.

Believe it or not, the RN requirements in Connecticut are pretty straightforward, especially considering you can complete your degree in less than two years’ time. At Goodwin College, you can complete your associate degree in Nursing, and get started working as a Registered Nurse, in as few as 20 months part-time in nursing school.

Are you ready to get started on your path to becoming a Registered Nurse in Connecticut? Visit us online to learn more about our accredited nursing school in Connecticut. For more information about the RN requirements in CT, or Goodwin’s specific nursing educational requirements, call 800-889-3282 today.