Explore Best RN to BSN Programs Near Hartford, Connecticut
- 2026 Best RN to BSN Programs Near Hartford, Connecticut
- Hartford Advantage: Why Level‑Up to a BSN Here?
- Program Delivery & Time Frames
- Curriculum Highlights
- Admission Requirements
- Where a Hartford BSN Can Take You
- Salary Outlook for BSN‑Prepared Nurses
- Paying for Your Bachelor's
- Balancing Shifts, Study, and Life
- Professional Networking
- Five‑Point Program Checklist
- Your BSN Is Within Reach
- Latest Articles & Guides
Known as the Insurance Capital of the World, Hartford sits at the crossroads of finance, biomedical research, and patient‑centered care. Two Level I trauma centers, Hartford Hospital and Saint Francis, anchor a metro corridor that serves more than a million residents. At the same time, the University of Connecticut Health Center, located just ten miles west in Farmington, powers innovation. Despite Connecticut's modest size, the state's average RN wage reached $101,840 (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 data), and local hospitals now ask diploma and ADN nurses to earn a bachelor's within two years of hire. Add looming retirements, 25 percent of Connecticut's nursing workforce is over age 55, and the door is wide open for working RNs who want the management, informatics, and community‑health skills baked into a BSN.
The bridge isn't as steep as many assume. Modern RN‑to‑BSN pathways combine self‑paced online courses with local practicums, letting you finish in as little as three semesters while keeping your weekend shifts at Hartford Hospital. Nurses comparing formats nationwide often start with the comprehensive RN to BSN program guide, or our CT RN to BSN guide, such as the schools ranked below.
2026 Best RN to BSN Programs Near Hartford, Connecticut
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT - Public 4-Year - wcsu.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BS
Online Learning - Visit Website
Western Connecticut State University offers a strategically designed online RN to BS program tailored for working nurses seeking comprehensive professional development. Recognizing the demanding schedules of healthcare professionals, the program allows up to 28 transfer credits, accelerating degree completion. Accredited by CCNE, the curriculum emphasizes advanced nursing leadership, community health strategies, and research methodologies. Students benefit from flexible online coursework that cultivates critical thinking and expands clinical expertise. The program's unique focus on professional role development ensures graduates are prepared for enhanced healthcare responsibilities, community engagement, and potential advanced nursing career pathways.
- Online RN to BS program
- Up to 28 transfer credits
- Minimum 30 credits at WCSU
- Nursing leadership focus
- Professional role development
- Community health emphasis
- CCNE accredited program
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT - Public 4-Year - ccsu.edu
Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Central Connecticut State University's online RN to BSN program offers registered nurses a strategic pathway to advance their academic credentials. Tailored for working healthcare professionals, students can complete the comprehensive 120-credit curriculum within one year, leveraging flexible scheduling and fully digital coursework. The program emphasizes leadership development, evidence-based practice, and community health immersion experiences. With CCNE accreditation and start dates in January and August, nurses can seamlessly integrate academic growth with professional responsibilities. Military-friendly features and additional support like free on-campus childcare and Grammarly subscriptions enhance the educational experience. No specific entrance exam requirements are mentioned for this RN to BSN track.
- 100% online nursing classes
- Can complete in one year
- Start every January and August
- 120-credit program
- Full or part-time options
- CCNE accredited program
- Community immersion experiences
- Financial aid available
- Free on-campus childcare
- Free Grammarly subscription
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT - Public 4-Year - charteroak.edu
Bachelor's - Nursing: RN/ADN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Charter Oak State College's online RN to BSN program offers registered nurses a dynamic educational pathway designed for working professionals seeking degree advancement. Fully online and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the program encompasses 120 credits with comprehensive curriculum focusing on healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, and nursing leadership. Students benefit from flexible scheduling, six annual start dates, and opportunities for professional growth through Sigma Nursing Honor Society. The program uniquely recognizes nursing credentials for potential credit transfer, making it an attractive option for busy healthcare professionals aiming to elevate their academic credentials and career prospects.
- 100% online nursing program
- Accredited by CCNE
- Minimum 120 credits required
- Designed for working RNs
- Six annual start dates
- Expert nursing faculty
- Credit for nursing credentials
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT - Private 4-year - sacredheart.edu
Bachelor's - Online RN to BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Sacred Heart University's Online RN to BSN program delivers a robust educational pathway for registered nurses seeking career advancement. Accredited by CCNE, the program distinguishes itself through remarkable flexibility, allowing completion in just 10 months via an accelerated track. Working professionals benefit from generous transfer credit policies—up to 90 credits can be transferred, significantly reducing program duration and associated costs. The curriculum emphasizes holistic nursing practice and human-centered care, preparing graduates for leadership roles. With six annual start dates and a competitive $390 per credit hour rate, the program accommodates diverse professional schedules. Admission requires a 2.5 minimum GPA, and students complete 120 total credit hours with 72 clinical hours, ensuring comprehensive practical and theoretical preparation.
- CCNE-accredited online program
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- Complete in 10 months accelerated
- Flexible start dates
- $390 per credit hour
- 2.5 minimum GPA required
- 120 total credit hours
- 72 clinical hours
- Six program starts annually
- Designed for working nurses
Goodwin University
East Hartford, CT - Private 4-year - goodwin.edu
Bachelor's - RN-to-BSN
Online Learning - Visit Website
Goodwin University offers a dynamic RN-to-BSN online program tailored for working nurses seeking career advancement. Accredited by CCNE, this 12-month degree completion pathway provides exceptional flexibility and professional development opportunities. Students can leverage up to 35 transferable credits, benefiting from a veteran-friendly environment and potential scholarship options through the CT Health Horizons initiative. The program's curriculum emphasizes comprehensive nursing knowledge, meeting the healthcare industry's growing demand for BSN-prepared professionals. With fixed tuition and part-time scheduling, nurses can efficiently balance academic pursuits with professional responsibilities while expanding their career potential.
- Online part-time program
- 12-month degree completion
- Up to 35 transferable credits
- CCNE accredited program
- Scholarship opportunities available
- Fixed tuition model
- Veteran-friendly institution
Hartford Advantage: Why Level‑Up to a BSN Here?
- Hospital residency requirements: Trinity Health of New England and Hartford HealthCare now require either a BSN or active enrollment within 24 months of hire.
- Salaries outpace cost of living: Hartford RN pay averages $5,000 above the U.S. mean, yet apartment rents remain lower than in Boston or New York.
- Graduate‑school synergy: Credits from most regional RN‑to‑BSN tracks slot directly into UConn's master's catalog, smoothing the jump outlined in RN to MSN Programs.
- Loan‑forgiveness momentum: Connecticut's 2024 Senate Bill 251 grants up to $10,000 in loan relief when bachelor‑prepared nurses serve two years in community clinics.
Program Delivery & Time Frames
Hartford‑area colleges give working nurses room to maneuver.
| Format | Typical Pace | Campus Visits | Entry Terms | Clinical Partners |
| 100 % Online Charter Oak State College | 9–12 months (full‑time) | None | Jan • May • Aug | Hartford HealthCare, VA Newington |
| Hybrid Weekend University of Hartford | 12–16 months | 1 Saturday/month | Fall • Spring | Connecticut Children's, Saint Francis |
| Part‑Time Cohort Central Connecticut State U. | 20–24 months | Evenings or livestream | Rolling | UConn Health, Bristol Health |
All listed tracks carry CCNE accreditation; you can verify every approval in the step‑by‑step checklist inside Nursing School Accreditation.
Learn more about other nursing programs in Hartford, CT.
Curriculum Highlights
Plan on 30–35 upper‑division credits layered atop your associate coursework:
- Community Health Nursing practicum serving Hartford's North End mobile clinics
- Evidence‑Based Practice with a statistics refresher that leverages regional insurance datasets
- Health Policy & Finance, a nod to the city's Aetna and Cigna headquarters
- Leadership Capstone a 90‑hour project streamlining discharge planning across Hartford Hospital's med‑surg units
Simulation tools allow you to complete assessments at home before meeting with preceptors on clinical days.
Admission Requirements
- Unencumbered Connecticut RN license
- Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA from prior nursing courses
- Introductory statistics (grade C or higher, taken within 10 years)
- One professional reference—ideally an MSN‑prepared supervisor
- Résumé documenting six months of bedside experience
- Background check, immunizations, CPR certification
International applicants must have a TOEFL iBT score of 79 or higher and provide Connecticut RN endorsement paperwork.
Where a Hartford BSN Can Take You
A bachelor's sets RNs up for:
• Case‑Management RN roles inside Aetna's care‑coordination division
• Charge Nurse posts on Saint Francis's Neuro‑ICU magnet unit
• School‑Nurse Supervisor positions across Hartford Public Schools
• Organ Procurement Coordinator slots with LifeChoice Donor Services
• Clinical Informatics Liaison openings during Epic upgrades at Trinity Health
BSN alumni eyeing graduate degrees can compare state‑approved pathways in Nursing Programs in Connecticut.
Salary Outlook for BSN‑Prepared Nurses
Hartford hospitals use tiered grids, and earning a BSN bumps base pay an average of 5–8 percent at the next review cycle.
| Region | Mean RN Salary | Typical BSN Premium* | Top‑End (90th %) |
| Hartford–West Hartford | $96,570 | +$4,800 | $126,340 |
| Connecticut (statewide) | $94,780 | +$4,200 | $122,600 |
| United States | $93,590 | +$3,800 | $132,330 |
*Premium figures based on HR data from Hartford HealthCare and Trinity Health (2025).
Paying for Your Bachelor's
Many nurses begin their funding search with the Scholarships & Grants Available to Nursing Students database, filtering for "Connecticut" and "BSN." Add these local options:
- Hartford HealthCare Tuition Assistance up to $7,500 per year for staff RNs in bridge programs
- State Loan‑Forgiveness $10,000 spread over two years in designated shortage areas
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness, nonprofit employers like UConn Health qualify; pair with income‑driven repayment
- Border Benefit Waivers state colleges often drop out‑of‑state fees for Springfield, MA, commuters
Balancing Shifts, Study, and Life
- Batch Sunday clinicals: Programs schedule community-health rotations on weekends so night-shift nurses can keep their PTO intact.
- Turn commute into class: Review micro‑lectures via the Hartford Line commuter rail app.
- Tap hospital Wi‑Fi: Charter Oak's LMS meets HIPAA standards, making lunch‑break quizzes safe.
- Recharge on Riverfront trails: A 20‑minute walk boosts dopamine and retention before evening modules.
Professional Networking
- Connecticut Nurses Association Capital Region Chapter—quarterly leadership breakfasts in downtown Hartford
- Sigma Theta Tau – Mu Chapter (UHart) poster‑presentation nights that welcome RN‑to‑BSN students
- Hartford Innovation District Hack‑a‑Thons nurse‑led health‑tech pitches
- UConn Urban Service Track inter‑professional outreach placements in immigrant communities
Five‑Point Program Checklist
- Net Cost: Calculate tuition after employer reimbursement and state aid.
- Transfer Credit: Favor schools accepting whole ADN blocks.
- Placement Help: Ask if the program secures preceptors.
- Quality Signals: Look for schools posting a pass rate of 90 percent or higher on the NCLEX for their traditional BSN cohorts.
- MSN Seamless Path: Prefer bridges that lock in graduate‑program admission for eligible alumni.
Your BSN Is Within Reach
Greater Hartford's hospitals, insurers, and community clinics need bachelor’s-prepared nurses who can bridge bedside care with data-driven decision-making. By choosing an RN‑to‑BSN close to Connecticut's capital, you'll elevate your skills, unlock leadership pay, and lay the groundwork for graduate study—without uprooting your life or amassing Boston‑level debt. Review the rankings above, verify the prerequisites, and RSVP for a virtual information session this week. By next fall, you could be charting as a BSN and negotiating that well‑earned raise.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Hartford‑West Hartford‑East Hartford, CT, May 2024.
- Connecticut General Assembly. Senate Bill 251 — Loan Forgiveness Expansion, July 2024.
- Hartford HealthCare. Employee Educational Assistance Policy, 2025.
- Trinity Health Of New England. BSN Residency Program Overview, accessed June 2025.
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