RN Licensure and Basic Life Support Certification

Graduate Entry Pre-specialization in Nursing (GEPN)

Students in the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing must pass the NCLEX-RN and submit proof of their Connecticut R.N. licensure by January 1st of the first year of their specialty program. GEPN students should take the NCLEX-RN and obtain their RN license as early as possible, as not having one will delay starting clinical, which may delay graduation.

*Any student who does not pass the NCLEX-RN, or who does not sit for the NCLEX-RN prior to January 1st, will be required to take a leave of absence or withdraw and will be required to make individual arrangements for completion of the specialty requirements after receiving a passing grade on the NCLEX-RN. GEPN students must follow steps outlined in the Student NCLEX Reporting Process.

* Adult Gerontology Acute Care specialty students must have passed their NCLEX-RN by October 10th of their first specialty year. In such circumstances, students are advised to obtain their Connecticut R.N. license as quickly as possible to ensure they can continue with their clinical hours at sites with R.N. licensure requirements. If an Adult Gerontology Acute Care specialty student has not passed by October 10th, the student will need to take a leave of absence or withdraw.

On Campus Master’s Program for Nurses with Baccalaureate Degrees

Requirements for admission for registered nurses include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and graduation from a school of nursing. Applicants must be licensed in at least one state. Incoming students with an out- of-state R.N. license must obtain a Connecticut RN license prior to enrollment and no later than August 1st. Delays in obtaining CT RN licensure will delay graduation.

If the student is a new graduate from a school of nursing, the student must have passed the NCLEX-RN by January 1st. Students who do not meet this requirement will be required to take a leave of absence or withdraw. New nursing graduates should take the NCLEX-RN and obtain their RN license as early as possible, as not having one will delay starting clinical, which may delay graduation.

Yale Online MSN Program

Requirements or admission for registered nurses include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and graduation from a school of nursing. Applicants must be licensed as an RN in at least one state. All students in the specialty MSN years are responsible for maintaining an active RN license and must upload their renewed license annually in order to remain compliant and participate in clinical and attend classes. Initial licensure must be uploaded to YSN 30 days prior to coursework beginning.

Clinical Site and Workplace Site

All YSN students, including those in part-time study in a master’s specialty program cannot be assigned to a clinical rotation in their current workplace unit.

Doctoral of Nursing Practice Students

Students in the Healthcare Leadership, Systems, and Policy D.N.P. program must maintain a current RN license to practice in the United States. Clinical DNP program students must maintain a current license to practice as an RN as well as an advanced practice nurse or certified nurse-midwife license in the United States prior to the start of the first term of the Clinical DNP program.

Doctor of Philosophy Students

PhD students are not required to have an active RN license unless they are practicing. However, they are encouraged to maintain their RN license.

Guidelines for Submitting and Maintaining RN Licensure:

All MSN and DNP students must submit their RN licenses in the eValue system to be verified and they must maintain an updated license in that system throughout their time as a YSN student. Students who are not in compliance may not continue attending clinical learning experiences, which may delay their date of graduation. 

Students with out-of-state clinical placements are required to upload any additional licenses in eValue and may seek assistance from the Clinical Support Unit, if needed. Students are responsible for the costs of RN licensing, including licensing in other states for clinical training. YSN Clinical Support Unit is resposible for verifying that out of state license has been obtained prior to student beginning out of state clinical training.

The YSN Clinical Support Unit will verify all RN licenses and will work with the YSN Office of Student Life and Specialty Director(s)/Program Chairs for students who are out of compliance.

Basic Life Support Certification Policy

All GEPN and MSN Specialty students are required to maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Professional certification through the American Heart Association while enrolled in the School of Nursing. Due to clinical site requirements, certifications offered through organizations other than the American Heart Association will not meet this requirement. Students who do not maintain CPR certification will not be able to continue with clinical training. The cost of BLS certification and maintenance is the responsibility of the student. 

For Students in the On Campus degree programs at YSN:

BLS certification is due by June 1st for students newly enrolled. It must expire after December 31st of the first semester at YSN and be maintained throughout your time as a YSN student.

For Students in the Yale Onlnine MSN program:

American Health Association BLS Certification is due 30 days prior to initial coursework. It must expire after the last day of classes of the first semester of coursework and be maintained throughout your time as a YSN student. 

Approved March 22, 2023 by YSN Board of Permanent Officers