3 Best LPN Programs in Connecticut – (Online & Campus-Based)
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
The state of Connecticut is a great place to work as a licensed practical nurse. It is expected that there will be more than 3,300 job openings for PNs within the next five years in this state with the total expected to increase. An LPN can typically expect to make more than the national average in salary when working in CT. There are not all that many LPN programs in Connecticut that are approved by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing, so we are making it easier by ranking three of the best educational opportunities for you.
LPN Program Length in Connecticut
Getting your courses done to become a LPN in Connecticut can take anywhere from one to two years of education and hand-on training, depending on if you want to obtain a diploma, certificate, or degree.
| Type | Length |
| Certificate / Diploma | 12 to 18 Months |
| Associate Degree | 2 Years |
| (Source: In-House Research) | |
LPN Program Cost in Connecticut
You can expect to pay close to $3,200 at the low end to complete your program in the state. However, you may have to pay upward of $73,000 for an Associate's degree at certain institutions.
| Type | Cost |
| Certificate / Diploma | $3,240 - $51,470 |
| Associate Degree | $9,930 - $73,900 |
| (Source: In-House Research) | |
Why NCLEX-PN Pass Rate is an Important Factor While Selecting an LPN Program in this State?
Over the past few years, Connecticut has been able to boast of passing rates for the NCLEX-PN that are higher than the national average. This shows how well practical nursing programs in CT prepare students for real world situations. Although the job market is good in this state, practical nursing is a highly competitive field. In order for employers in CT to know that they are hiring someone who is qualified and competent, they often look for graduates from schools with high NCLEX-PN passing rates as one of the hiring factors.
| NCLEX-PN Pass Rates | ||||
| Year | Connecticut | National | ||
| Taken | % Passed | Taken | % Passed | |
| 2013 | 546 | 87.36% | 58,575 | 84.63% |
| 2014 | 588 | 82.14% | 55,491 | 82.16% |
| 2015 | 571 | 88.09% | 50,979 | 81.88% |
| 2016 | 415 | 86.51% | 47,345 | 83.70% |
| 2017 | 597 | 87.77% | 46,948 | 83.85% |
| 2018 | 593 | 87.86% | 47,044 | 85.93% |
| 2019 | 702 | 80.48% | 48,228 | 85.63% |
| 2020 | 529 | 71.64% | 45,656 | 83.09% |
| 2021 | 481 | 65.90% | 46,353 | 79.60% |
WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT (ONLINE AND CAMPUS)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 3 best nursing schools for LPN programs in Connecticut.
1) Lincoln Tech, New Britain & Shelton
The practical nursing diploma course at the New Britain and Shelton campus locations of Lincoln Tech provides the flexibility of both day and evening classes. If you opt for classes held during the day, the LPN program would take 52 weeks to complete. For students planning to take evening classes, the training can be wrapped up in 92 weeks. This program is equipped with a coursework that hones your nursing capabilities with subjects ranging from nursing fundamentals, clinical experience, principles of pharmacology, anatomy and physiology. The curriculum also incorporates a course on professional development to prepare students transform into effective and competent practical nurses. The acquired knowledge is put to test in modern simulation laboratories, where students receive hands-on training in executing the daily activities of a practical nurse. After successful completion of the course, students can take the NCLEX-PN exam.
2) Porter and Chester Institute, Branford, Hamden, Rocky Hill, Enfield, Stratford & Waterbury
This LPN course in Connecticut offers two flexible options. It has a 15-month course for students willing to take classes during the day and an evening class option for working professionals who will follow a slower pace and complete the training in 21 months. The institute prides itself in offering a firm grounding in nursing by teaching students to face challenges through a science-based approach, which not only educates them the basics of anatomy and first aid but also trains them to use critical thinking in demanding patient-care situations. You will go on to put this newly acquired knowledge into practice at the college’s simulation lab, where you will use actual medical equipment and mannequins and gain a near to real clinical experience.
3) Stone Academy, East Hartford & West Haven
This 16-month LPN program is quite flexible as it offers both full-time and a part-time option. For full-time students, classes are held during the day on weekdays and for part-timers, classes are scheduled during the evening on weekdays and Saturdays. Stone Academy does not require you to complete any prerequisite courses before enrolling. The academy follows a skill-intensive curriculum which combines the benefits of both theoretical knowledge in traditional classrooms and skill-enhancing practical sessions in state-of-the-art laboratories which help prepare students to face the real world with confidence.
How to Obtain My LPN License in Connecticut?
Once you choose the right educational coursework, you will be required to complete at least one year of classes as well as hands-on training that will prepare you for your licensure examination.
• Complete your LPN education to get a certificate, diploma or degree.
• Have transcripts sent and apply for licensing with the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing through the Public Department of Health.
• Register to sit for the NCLEX-PN with PearsonVue.
• Get approval to test, or ATT, from Pearson VUE
• Obtain your CPR card and pass the NCLEX.
• Get your license.
How Much Will I Earn?
The average LPN salary in Connecticut is about $30 per hour, which is about $62,000 a year for full-time employment. This is about 12 percent greater than the national average. The average amount of money earned can vary based on experience and competency, so you may be able to make as much as $72,000 a year in this career.
| Type | Salary Range | Average Salary |
| Hourly | $24.99 - $34.62 | $30.11 |
| Monthly | $4,330 - $6,000 | $5,220 |
| Annual | $51,970 - $72,000 | $62,620 |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | ||
LPN Earnings in this State vs. National Average
| Connecticut | National | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $62,620 | $55,860 | +$6,760 | +12.10% |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||
Job Outlook for LPN Graduates in Connecticut
It does not appear that there will be a significant increase in jobs in this field during the next few years, perhaps because there may not be much of a rise in public need in the very close future. This will make becoming an LPN in this state a very competitive process, so you will want to choose your practical nursing training wisely to really stand out from other potential candidates.
| Employment | 10 Year New Job Growth Projection (2020-2030) | ||
| 2020 | 2030 | Number | % |
| 7,920 | 8,000 | +80 | +1.01% |
| (Source: careeronestop) | |||
Projected LPN Annual Job Openings in Connecticut (2023-2027)
| Year | New Jobs | Replacement Jobs | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) |
| 2023 | 8 | 602 | 610 |
| 2024 | 22 | 616 | 638 |
| 2025 | 40 | 634 | 674 |
| 2026 | 50 | 644 | 694 |
| 2027 | 60 | 654 | 714 |
| Total Job Openings in the Next 5 Years | 3,330 | ||
| (Source: In-House Research) | |||
5 Best Metro Areas in Connecticut to Work as an LPN
The metro region that includes Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford offers the greatest number of opportunities within the state with nearly 2,800 current jobs. If you desire to work in a fast-paced environment such as a hospital, be on the lookout for job openings at UCONN Health West Hartford or Connecticut Children's Medical Center. If you like to work more one-on-one with clients, you might want to think about home healthcare with Nursing Services, Inc. or Companions and Home Helpers. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk and New Haven currently hire around 2,050 and 1,850 LPNs respectively. Some facilities in this region include St. Vincent's Medical Center, White Rose Home HealthCare Agency, and Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. The regions of Waterbury and Danbury have 400 jobs or less each for LPNs
| Rank | Metro Area | Current Employment | Average Salary | ||
| Hourly | Monthly | Annual | |||
| 1 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 2,860 | $29.70 | $5,150 | $61,780 |
| 2 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | 2,060 | $31.15 | $5,400 | $64,790 |
| 3 | New Haven | 1,850 | $30.20 | $5,230 | $62,810 |
| 4 | Norwich-New London-Westerly | 520 | $29.08 | $5,040 | $60,480 |
| 5 | Waterbury | 470 | $30.33 | $5,260 | $63,090 |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||||
Nearby States
Other Connecticut Nursing Pages