Connecticut State Community College (CT State) announced the launch of a new practical nursing certificate program, the first and only public program of its kind in the state, during National Nurses Week, observed May 6–12. The program aims to address the critical shortage of nurses in Connecticut and expand access to careers in health care.
Offered at CT State Quinebaug Valley’s Willimantic location, this four-semester certificate program combines classroom-based instruction in foundational nursing concepts with hands-on clinical training at local health care facilities, supervised by licensed nurse faculty. Graduates are eligible to take the licensure exam to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and may apply credits from the certificate toward an associate degree in registered nursing, reducing their time to completion by up to one year.
“As the most affordable practical nursing program in Connecticut, we are committed to increasing access to health care training for those with a passion for helping others,” said CT State President O. John Maduko, M.D. “Expanding our nursing capacity is essential to meeting the high demand for skilled nurses in our workforce and the health care needs of our communities.”
Approximately 89 percent of CT State students receive financial aid, and in the 2024-2025 academic year, close to 20,000 students received free tuition through the Mary Ann Handley Award.
“This program directly responds to existing workforce needs in our region and provides students with a clear pathway toward a career as an LPN or continuing their associate degree to become a registered nurse,” said Manuel Gomez, Ph.D., interim campus CEO of CT State Quinebaug Valley. “The support from our health care partners combined with the enthusiasm from prospective students has been both energizing and validating.”
CT State plans to expand the program to its Capital, Gateway, Naugatuck Valley, Northwestern, Norwalk, and Three Rivers campuses.
CT State: A Leader in Nursing Education
CT State trains the largest cohort of nursing students in Connecticut, with more than 3,400 students enrolled annually in credit nursing and allied health programs. Over the past four years, 2,400 degrees in registered nursing have been awarded across six campuses.
With approximately 90 percent of graduates employed in Connecticut within two years, CT State is a driving force in building the state’s health care workforce. Licensed practical nurses in Connecticut earn an average annual salary of $60,000, and average registered nurse salaries exceed $88,000.
In addition to nursing, CT State offers over 30 accredited allied health programs, including dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, medical laboratory technician, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, radiation therapy, respiratory care, and surgical technology. Eighty-four percent of students in selective programs such as nursing either graduate, transfer, or are on track to complete their degree.
Program Admission and Information
Admission to the practical nurse certificate program is selective. Applications are accepted between February 1 and April 15 each year. Students are encouraged to apply to CT State this summer to begin prerequisite courses and attend an information session.
To learn more, visit: ctstate.edu/healthcare.
About CT State
With the merger of the 12 Connecticut community colleges in July 2023, CT State Community College is now the largest community college in New England, enrolling more than 65,000 students each year, and approximately 25 percent of college students in Connecticut. As the most affordable college in CT, CT State is dedicated to making quality education accessible to all in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. CT State students benefit from a streamlined financial aid process and apply once to take classes at any campus. The campuses—Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven and North Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester, Middlesex (Middletown and Meriden), Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury and Danbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley (Danielson and Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington and Bristol) —form a network that empowers students to tailor their educational journey to their needs. CT State’s college office is located in New Britain.
