Explore Best RN to BSN Programs Near Hartford, Connecticut
- 2025 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, then drill down to Connecticut-specific options, such as the schools ranked below.
2025 Best RN to BSN Programs Near Hartford, Connecticut
Looking for the best RN to BSN programs near Hartford, Connecticut in 2025? RegisteredNursing.org has done the homework for you, ranking top programs to help you advance your nursing career. Our list highlights schools that stand out for their quality, affordability, and student support, making it easier for you to choose the right path. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to upgrade your qualifications, these programs offer the flexibility and resources you need to succeed. Find out which schools made the cut and start planning your next steps today. Learn more about how we rank the best programs.
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 an online RN to BS program tailored for registered nurses aiming to advance their careers without sacrificing their current roles. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing students to transfer up to 28 credits, thereby accelerating degree completion. Emphasizing leadership in nursing, community health, and professional growth, the curriculum is designed to enhance clinical expertise and prepare nurses for higher responsibilities. Accredited by CCNE, it ensures a quality education with a focus on research and evidence-based practice. Ideal for healthcare professionals seeking advancement, the program requires no entrance exams, making it accessible to all eligible RNs.
- 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 offers an accredited RN to BSN program entirely online, catering to registered nurses seeking advancement. This flexible program allows completion in one year, with starts in January and August. It emphasizes advanced nursing practices, leadership, and evidence-based research, all delivered by faculty with real-world clinical experience. The 120-credit curriculum supports full or part-time study, with no ACT or SAT required for admission. Unique benefits include financial aid options, community immersion experiences, and complimentary services like Grammarly and on-campus childcare, making it a standout choice for nursing professionals in the Hartford area.
- 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 offers an online RN/ADN to BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking to elevate their careers without sacrificing their current roles. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing students to engage in coursework entirely online, making it ideal for working professionals. With a curriculum that spans 120 credits, it emphasizes healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, and leadership skills essential for modern nursing. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, it also provides avenues for professional growth through affiliations with prestigious organizations like Sigma Nursing Honor Society. Notably, the program features six start dates annually, facilitating easy enrollment for busy nurses.
- 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 is tailored for registered nurses seeking to elevate their careers through advanced education. This CCNE-accredited program stands out for its flexibility, allowing students to complete their degree in just 10 months via an accelerated track. With the ability to transfer up to 90 credits, the program is both time-efficient and cost-effective, priced at $390 per credit hour. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, with no entrance exam needed. The curriculum focuses on holistic nursing care and leadership, preparing graduates for higher-level positions in diverse healthcare environments. Offering six start dates annually, it's ideal for working nurses aiming for professional growth without sacrificing their current roles.
- 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 an accelerated RN-to-BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking to elevate their qualifications. This fully online, part-time program stands out for its 12-month completion timeline, making it ideal for working professionals. It boasts CCNE accreditation, ensuring high-quality education, and allows up to 35 transferable credits to fast-track degree completion. Unique features include a fixed tuition model, eliminating financial surprises, and scholarship opportunities through CT Health Horizons. Goodwin is recognized as a veteran-friendly institution, providing comprehensive support to military students. The program emphasizes professional growth, preparing nurses for leadership roles in healthcare without requiring entrance exams.
- 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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