Albertus Magnus College: State's First LPN to BSN Program

NEW HAVEN, CT —Albertus Magnus College announced the state's first Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in partnership with Griffin Hospital’s School of Allied Health Careers.

The program will expand nursing career opportunities to help address the state’s urgent need for more qualified nurses, the college noted in a news release. It added that the state Board of Examiners for Nursing approved the professional program, giving Alberus the "green light" to admit students beginning in January 2025.

The new program offers a structured progression from LPN to BSN in a shorter time frame than the state’s current pathway of LPN to Associate Degree in Nursing to BSN.

The Albertus 36-month program will expedite the expansion of Connecticut’s nursing workforce and will help diversify the state’s healthcare practitioners.

“I’m absolutely thrilled our faculty are bringing to market Connecticut’s first LPN to BSN pathway program, which aligns so well with our mission-centric commitment to respond to the needs of our students and society at large,” Albertus President Marc M. Camille, Ed.D., said. "Dating to the 1970s, Albertus was a pioneer in adult education programming, and this new program will support and propel educational and professional growth opportunities for our region’s LPNs."

Cynthia Jeffrey, Ed.D., M.S.N., R.N., the college’s nursing programs director with 25-years of experience as a nurse and over a decade of teaching and administrative experience in higher education, believes the Albertus program offers several differentiating factors:

• A tailored curriculum that builds on the foundational skills and knowledge that LPNs already possess, allowing them to complete their BSN in a streamlined and efficient manner;
• Online, hybrid, and in-person evening classes to accommodate working professionals;
• Small class sizes optimize individualized attention;
• State of the art equipment provides real-world clinical experience in a safe learning environment;
• Interdisciplinary study and development of critical thinking skills are developed and deepened, making graduates even more
workforce ready; and
• Supportive, mentoring faculty dedicated to help students succeed.

"As with our new traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program that begins this fall, the LPN to BSN Career Pathway is a natural progression of our overall development of professionals, completely in line with Albertus’ Dominican mission and traditions,” Jeffrey said. “The nursing profession is the perfect example of the Four Dominican Pillars: Study, Prayer, Community, and Service. Nurses must always be life-long learners in order to adapt to the latest medical advances; prayer is a part of self-reflection, assessment, and improvement; as nurturers, nurses play an important role in bringing people together as a community; and of course, service – forever giving of themselves to others.”

A needs assessment was completed in Spring 2022 to examine the level of interest among LPNs in Connecticut in furthering their nursing education. An overwhelming majority indicated a desire to enroll in this type of program for career and socioeconomic growth.

For more information, visit the college's website here.