Albertus Magnus College Announces Connecticut‘s First LPN to BSN Program

Innovative Collaboration Between College and Griffin Health Expands Nursing Career Pathways

New Haven, Conn., August 21, 2024 Albertus Magnus College is pleased to announce its newest innovative academic offering, the State of Connecticut’s first Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.  In partnership with Griffin Hospital’s School of Allied Health Careers (GH-SOAHC), the new program will expand nursing career opportunities to help address the State’s urgent need for more qualified nurses.  Earlier today, the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing (CT BOEN) approved the professional program, giving the green light for Albertus 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-ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)-BSN.  The Albertus 36-month program will expedite the expansion of Connecticut’s nursing workforce, and as New England’s most diverse Catholic college, Albertus LPN to BSN graduates, like Albertus BSN graduates, 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,” said Albertus President Marc M. Camille, Ed.D. “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., is 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, Dr. Jeffrey 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,” said Dr. Jeffrey.  “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 on the LPN to BSN program, go to our website.

About Albertus Magnus College

Founded in 1925, Albertus is a coeducational Catholic College in the Dominican tradition. Albertus' values- and liberal arts-based education is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report, Money, and The New York Times, and has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly School. For ten consecutive years, at least 95% of Albertus graduates have attained employment or gone on to graduate studies within six months of completing their degrees. The College has an enrollment of approximately 1,300 students across its traditional undergraduate, accelerated adult undergraduate, and graduate program levels. Proud to enroll a student body where nearly half of its undergraduate students receive Federal Pell Grants and are first-generation college goers, Albertus is known for its innovative curricular offerings, recently launching new Bachelor's degree programs in Nursing, including BSN and Connecticut's first LPN-to-BSN; General Health Sciences; Interdisciplinary Studies; and Public Health. 

Among its graduate offerings is the State of Connecticut's only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program, and it is just one of three schools to offer a Master of Science in Human Services. In 2025-26, Albertus is celebrating its historic 100th Anniversary and completing implementation of the Albertus 2025: Lighting the Way to a Second Century strategic plan, with a bold vision to "be a destination liberal arts-based college, distinguished in its interdisciplinary and experiential approach to education, rooted in Dominican values, that prepares students for lifelong civic engagement and success." To learn more, please visit albertus.edu.