NURSES
ARE NEEDED

Western Connecticut State University’s

Department of Nursing

One of the top-rated nursing schools in New England, WCSU prepares you for the most rewarding career of all—without burdening you with debt.

Local and affordable, WCSU offers small class sizes and accessible faculty that help our students have high NCLEX pass rates. Our scores for students who pass on their first attempt range between 91 - 100%. At WCSU you’ll work toward your degree in person or online, learn from practicing professionals in evidence-based programs and enhance your skills in our nursing simulation labs.

About the WCSU Nursing Program

At WCSU, we help you help others
—while you advance in a valuable career

Nursing Programs

We offer four areas of study in nursing:

Undergraduate, RN to BS, Masters and Doctoral Studies, allowing for a comprehensive interactive curriculum, engaged learners, emphasis on critical thinking and promoting professionalism in nursing practice.

Diverse students benefit from convenient & comprehensive programs

Undergraduate

Be sought after for great jobs

WCSU’s nursing department has affiliations with many health care agencies in the greater Danbury, Waterbury and New Haven areas. WCSU nursing has one of the highest pass rates for the NCLEX in Connecticut and our graduates are sought after by many employers in Connecticut and greater New England.

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RN to BS Program

Upgrade your resume… and your job

Our RN to BS program offers online classes. Registered Nurse (RN) graduates of associate degree and diploma programs earn the baccalaureate degree at WCSU by completing a program of study similar to that completed by undergraduate students, but including RN-only components that acknowledge and build on your existing knowledge and skills.

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Master of Science

Prepare to lead in practice, education and management

The hybrid online and in-person Master of Science in Nursing program at WCSU prepares nurses for leadership positions in nursing practice, nursing education and /or nursing management. We offer a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program.

Our graduates can be found in leadership positions throughout Connecticut and the northeast and have a high rate of success on APRN certification exams.

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Doctoral Studies

Courses are offered online with a residency requirement once a year

We welcome you to explore our nursing programs and see how WCSU helps you advance your career.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Significantly improve healthcare services within communities

The online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed for advanced practice nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice that is not research or educational focused. This program prepares you in both quantitative and qualitative research, evidence-based practice, foundations of policy and practice design, and implementation of practice initiatives that advances healthcare practices and services to significantly improve healthcare services within communities.

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Ed.D. in Nursing Education

Teach tomorrow’s nurses

The online Ed.D. in Nursing Education is a collaborative program between Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University. The program addresses the critical need for nurse educators in Connecticut and nation-wide. Every course, assignment, video conference, residency presentation or practicum experience throughout the program prepares students for the nursing faculty role.

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Learn and grow with expert faculty and high-end facilities

Our nursing faculty are experts in their fields, with advanced professional degrees from leading educational institutions, as well as specialty certification where appropriate. Our facilities include skills labs, a physical assessment lab, simulation rooms and simman patient simulators.

We are fully accredited

Our baccalaureate degree program in nursing; master’s degree program in nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice program; and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Western Connecticut State University are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The Department of Nursing was accredited in 2018.

Goals of Nursing at Western Connecticut State University

  • A dynamic curriculum responsive to students and community needs
  • Clinical competence, scholarship and research
  • Service to the university, the public and the profession
  • Accommodation of diverse values and interests
  • Commitment to a caring culture

Required background checks, vaccination, drug testing and finger printing

Due to the requirement by clinical sites in Connecticut, nursing students are required to complete background checks, vaccinations, drug testing and fingerprinting prior to beginning a clinical experience.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide an education that prepares beginning and advanced practice nurses to meet the ever-changing health care needs of Connecticut and the surrounding New England and New York region.