Registered nurses (RNs) are responsible for taking on many of the same responsibilities as physicians: planning, implementing, and assessing patient care, as well as managing a number of other nurses and support staff. Registered nurses also give patients and family members advice and emotional support when they are coping with a serious illness. All of these responsibilities require not only clinical preparation, but also knowledge across several fields and behavioral preparedness to face and cope with patients and their loved ones in trying times.
Registered nurses are prepared for many of these challenges in their pre-licensure programs. There are two program options for RNs: either a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a four year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. ADN and BSN programs both require courses in relevant hard sciences such as biology, physiology, and pharmacology, and include an element of supervised clinical practice. Both programs also help students to prepare for the RN licensure exam. The main trade-off between the two programs is that the ADN allows you to finish your program and start nursing sooner, but the BSN will give you more thorough training and make you more competitive on the job market.
In Connecticut, RNs can expect to earn around $76,280 per year, exceeding the nationwide average of $68,910. With plenty of job opportunities, high salaries, and high job satisfaction, Connecticut is a wonderful place to start your career as a registered nurse.
If you want to find out more about becoming an RN, take a look at the below list of top nursing schools with RN programs in Connecticut.