Attractive salaries and state-supported benefit packages make a job as an LPN a rewarding career path for individuals interested in entering the health care field in Connecticut. And there should be ample opportunity for aspiring LPNs in the coming years – according to the Connecticut Department of Labor, the state's LPN occupation is projected to grow almost 18 percent between 2012 and 2022, putting it among the state's most in demand occupations.
Enrolling in an LPN program at a Connecticut community college or other accredited educational institution prepares individuals for the state licensing examination and provides hands-on training opportunities. Most practical nurses complete their training in one to two years. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination to obtain state licensure. Read on to learn more about LPN programs in Connecticut as well as licensure requirements for practical nurses.
Applying for Licensure in Connecticut
All practical nurses must undergo a licensing process to enter the workforce and begin working. Every state has different licensing requirements, which are usually enforced and regulated by the state's nursing board. This section explains the licensing process specific to Connecticut as well as the renewal requirements to keep a license active.
Basic Eligibility
- Complete a state-approved LPN program from a college or university, hospital, or external degree program in nursing
- Submit official transcripts verifying diploma, certificate or degree in nursing
Education & Training Requirements
Before applying for licensure, candidates must successfully complete a state-approved practical nursing program that includes 1,500 hours of theory over the course of at least ten months. Because practical nurses need to have experience working with patients in a clinical setting, the state also mandates that 50 percent of these hours been supervised in a patient care setting and/or include observational experiences.
Those who completed nursing school outside the United States must make arrangements for a ‘Professional Report' that can be submitted directly to the Connecticut Department of Health LPN Licensure office from the CGFNS International. Those who have completed a program outside the state must have the Dean or Director of the nursing program complete and return the Verification of Theory and Clinical Instruction Form to the Connecticut Department of Health LPN Licensure office.
Applicants who wish to expedite the licensure process can contact the Connecticut Department of Health via email to check on the status of their file and confirm receipt of all required documents.
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Additional Requirements for Licensure
- Pay a $150 fee in the form of a check or money order payable to, “Treasurer, State of Connecticut”
- Wait to receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from Pearson Vue
- Pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination – PN (NCLEX-PN)
- Nurses trained and licensed in Canada who meet educational requirements and provide proof of completing the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE or CNATS) with a score equivalent of at least 400 in each section of the CPNRE may be licensed by endorsement
- Applicants for licensure by endorsement who hold a valid practical nurse license in another US state or territory may be eligible for a 120-day, non-renewable temporary permit to practice nursing in Connecticut before receiving their state license
Keeping Your License Active
LPNs in Connecticut must renew their license each year during their birth month; the first renewal occurs in the first birth month immediately after obtaining licensure. State law mandates that practical nurses with expiration dates on and after October 31, 2013 renew their license online. The applicant must log in to The State of Connecticut eLicensing Website with their assigned username and password 60 days before the license expiration date.
Connecticut LPN Salary
While licensed practical nurses tend to command solid wages, salary potential can vary greatly from state to state and even from city to city within a state. Salary variations may be the result of population and population demands, types of employment available, and types of employers within an area. The following data provides a more comprehensive look at LPN salaries in Connecticut:
LPN Employment in CT
Job growth for licensed practical nurses across the country is expected to be much faster than average, with national growth projected at 16 percent between 2014 through 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The majority of LPNs can be found in nursing care facilities, home health care services, and retirement homes. In Connecticut, most practical nursing jobs can be found in the West and East Hartford metro areas, with 2,820 LPNs employed as of 2014.
Top Locations for Employment
| Area | Total Employment (2014) |
|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 2,820 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | 1,960 |
| New Haven | 1,480 |
| Waterbury | 670 |
| Norwich-New London CT-RI | 640 |
| Area | Total Employment (2014) |
|---|---|
| Danbury | 310 |
| Northwestern Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | 310 |
| Eastern Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | 170 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Employment of LPNs in Connecticut
2012 8,850
2022 10,420
Average Annual Openings 370
Source: Projections Central
Resources for LPNs in Connecticut
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
Provides information about nursing regulations, on-line license renewal and verification resources, and contact information for the Board of Examiners for Nursing.
Connecticut League for Nursing
A resource site for nursing students, nurse educators, and licensed nurses. Provides programs and opportunities to help nurses practice and develop leadership skills. Also offers a membership program for those who wish to participate in CLN activities.
Connecticut Nurses' Association
Comprehensive site providing information about membership benefits, continuing nursing education, and career opportunities throughout the State of Connecticut.
Resources for aspiring and licensed nurses in the State of Connecticut, including a list of agencies hiring nurses, nursing jobs in the state, nursing educational resources, and licensing requirements. Provided by the State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.
Connecticut Student Nurses Association
A chapter of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), connects nursing students from around the state. Also provides scholarship information and a career network for those seeking job opportunities.
Online resources for verifying licenses, contacting the local health department, and learning about the latest practical nurse licensing requirements. Provided by the State of Connecticut.
Education & Employment Information Center
Comprehensive listing of institutions and programs for health occupation training in the State of Connecticut, provided by the State of Connecticut Office of Higher Education.
Future of Nursing Campaign for Action
Managed by the Center to Champion Nursing in America, the Connecticut Nursing Collaborative-Action Coalition works to transform health care through nursing throughout the state. It provides educational materials about the state of nursing in Connecticut and what nursing professionals can expect when entering or re-entering the workforce.
From the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Labor Market Information report is a comprehensive listing of LPN programs and providers. Information provided by the Office of Higher Education, the State Department of Education, the Connecticut Workforce Investment Boards, and various education and training providers around the state.
For more information on licensure and education regulations, including latest application and renewal fees. Provided by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.