nurse-groups-head-shots-07

RN Programs in Colorado

Calling All Aspiring RNs: Your Guide to Nursing Nirvana in Colorado! ️

Hey there, future healthcare superstars! Are you ready to embark on a journey that’s equal parts rewarding, challenging, and downright awesome? Well, buckle up, because we’re diving into the world of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) in the stunning state of Colorado!

Why Colorado is the Place to Be for RNs

Picture this: you’re living in a state known for its jaw-dropping landscapes, fresh mountain air, and a healthcare scene that’s as vibrant as the wildflowers in the spring. That’s Colorado for you! And let’s not forget about the cold, hard cash – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs in Colorado rake in an average of $78,000 per year. Plus, with a projected job growth of 7% from 2019-2029, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to find your perfect fit, whether you’re a city slicker or a rural road warrior.

Getting Your Foot in the Door: Prerequisites

So, what does it take to join the ranks of Colorado’s nursing elite? First things first, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row. Here’s what most RN programs in Colorado require:

  • A high school diploma or GED (because let’s face it, you can’t skip straight to the good stuff)
  • You’ve gotta be at least 18 years old (no spring chickens here!)
  • Some prerequisite courses under your belt, like biology, chemistry, and math (don’t worry, you’ve got this!)
  • Passing an entrance exam, like the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)
  • A background check and drug screening (because we want to make sure you’re squeaky clean)
  • Up-to-date immunizations and a physical exam (gotta stay healthy to keep others healthy, right?)

What You’ll Learn: The Nitty Gritty

Once you’re in, the real fun begins! RN programs in Colorado are like a delicious educational cocktail , blending classroom learning with hands-on clinical experience. You’ll dive into subjects like:

  • Anatomy and Physiology (because you can’t fix what you don’t understand)
  • Microbiology (those tiny critters can cause some big problems)
  • Nursing Fundamentals (the building blocks of your nursing career)
  • Pharmacology (because sometimes laughter isn’t the best medicine)
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing (where you’ll learn to be a jack-of-all-trades)
  • Pediatrics (because kids are just tiny humans with big personalities)
  • Mental Health Nursing (because not all wounds are visible)

Top RN Programs in Colorado

Ready to start your journey? Check out these top-notch RN programs in Colorado:

  1. Front Range Community College
    • 3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031
    • RN Program Page
    • Front Range Community College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with a focus on hands-on clinical experience. Tuition is approximately $4,000 per year.
  2. Pikes Peak State College
    • 5675 S Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
    • RN Program Page
    • Pikes Peak State College provides both ADN and Practical Nursing (PN) programs, with strong support services and modern facilities. The estimated tuition is around $3,500 per year.
  3. Arapahoe Community College
    • 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
    • RN Program Page
    • Arapahoe Community College offers an ADN program with opportunities for clinical rotations in various healthcare settings. Tuition is approximately $4,200 per year.
  4. Denver College of Nursing
    • 1401 19th St, Denver, CO 80202
    • RN Program Page
    • Denver College of Nursing offers both ADN and BSN programs, with a strong emphasis on clinical practice. Tuition varies, so it’s best to contact the college directly for specific costs.

Where to Work: Top Healthcare Facilities in Colorado

Once you’ve got that shiny new RN license, it’s time to put it to work! Here are some of the top healthcare facilities in Colorado that are always on the lookout for nursing talent:

  1. UCHealth
    • UCHealth Careers
    • UCHealth operates several hospitals across Colorado, including University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. Known for its advanced medical care and research, UCHealth is a top employer for RNs.
  2. Centura Health
    • Centura Health Careers
    • Centura Health is one of Colorado’s largest healthcare networks, with hospitals in Denver, Colorado Springs, and other locations. It offers extensive opportunities for RNs in various specialties.
  3. Denver Health
    • Denver Health Careers
    • Denver Health provides comprehensive healthcare services and is an essential safety-net hospital for the Denver area. The facility is known for its trauma and emergency care.

Getting Licensed: The Final Frontier

You’ve made it through nursing school, and now it’s time to make it official! To practice as an RN in Colorado, you’ll need to:

  1. Complete an accredited nursing program (check!)
  2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam (you’ve got this!)
  3. ️ Apply for licensure through the Colorado Board of Nursing
  4. Complete a background check and provide proof of your educational qualifications

Paying for Your RN Education: Don’t Sweat It!

We know what you’re thinking: “This all sounds amazing, but how am I going to pay for it?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! The cost of RN programs in Colorado can vary, with tuition ranging from $3,500 to $25,000, depending on the school and program type. But there are plenty of financial aid options out there, including:

  • Federal and state grants
  • Scholarships (because who doesn’t love free money?)
  • Loans (but let’s try to keep those to a minimum, shall we?)

Resources like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education are great places to start when you’re on the hunt for financial assistance.

Hitting the Road: Licensure Reciprocity

Already an RN in another state? No problem! Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means that if you’re licensed in another NLC state, you can practice in Colorado without having to jump through any extra hoops. For more info, check out the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Ready to Start Your RN Adventure in Colorado?

Phew, that was a lot of information! But now you’re armed with everything you need to know to start your journey towards becoming an RN in Colorado. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding career path, and we know you’ve got what it takes to succeed.

So what are you waiting for? Start researching schools, gathering your application materials, and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! Trust us, your future self will thank you.

RN Schools Near You & Online in Colorado

photo_of_happy_nurses_in_scrubs

Platt College

  • 3100 South Parker Road Aurora, CO 80014
    Programs: BSN, RN
    (303) 369-5151

Pueblo Community College

  • 51320 W Highway 50 Canon City, CO 81212
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (719) 296-6100

Pikes Peak Community College

  • 5675 S. Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80906
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, LPN, RN
    (800) 456-6847

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

  • 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80918
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, DNP, MSN, Physician Assistant, RN, RN to BSN
    (719) 255-8227

Pueblo Community College

  • 60 Cactus Street Suite 1 Cortez, CO 81321
    Programs: ADN, RN
    (970) 565-8440

Colorado Northwestern Community College

  • 50 College Dr. Craig, CO 81625
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    1(800)562-1105

Community College of Denver

  • 1111 West Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80217
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, RN
    (303) 556-2600

Denver School of Nursing

  • 1401 19th Street Denver, CO 80202
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN
    (303) 292-0015

University of Colorado Denver

  • 1250 14th Street Denver, CO 80217
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, DNP, Nursing Administration, Nursing PhD, Physician Assistant, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (303) 556-2400

Regis University

  • 3333 Regis Boulevard Denver, CO 80221
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, Health Information Management-Bachelor's, RN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN
    (800) 944-7667

Metropolitan State College of Denver

  • Speer Blvd. and Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80217
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (303) 556-2400

Front Range Community College

  • 4616 S Shields St. Fort Collins, CO 80526
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (970) 226-2500

Morgan Community College

  • 920 Barlow Rd. Fort Morgan, CO 80701
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Radiography, RN
    1(800)622-0216

Colorado Mountain College

  • 831 Grand Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    1(800)621-8559

Colorado Mesa University

  • 1100 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501
    Programs: ADN, BSN, DNP, EMT Paramedic, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (970) 248-1020

University of Northern Colorado

  • 1862 10th Avenue Greeley, CO 80639
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, BSN to DNP, DNP, MSN, Nursing PhD, RN, RN to BSN
    (970) 351-1890

Aims Community College

  • 5401 West 20th Street Greeley, CO 80634
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (970) 330-8008

Otero Junior College

  • 1802 Colorado Ave. La Junta, CO 81050
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    (719) 384-6831

Lamar Community College

  • 2401 South Main Street Lamar, CO 81052
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (719) 336-2248

Arapahoe Community College

  • 5900 South Santa Fe Drive Littleton, CO 80120
    Programs: ADN, CNA, Health Information Management-Associate, LPN, RN
    (303) 797-4222

University of Phoenix

  • 10004 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree, CO 80124
    Programs: BSN, MSN, RN, RN to BSN
    (303) 755-9090

Front Range Community College

  • 2190 Miller Drive Longmont, CO 80501
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    (303) 678-3722

Pueblo Community College

  • 900 W. Orman Ave Pueblo, CO 81004
    Programs: ADN, CNA, EMT Paramedic, LPN, Radiography, RN
    (719) 549-3200

Colorado State University

  • 2200 Bonforte Boulevard Pueblo, CO 81001
    Programs: Accelerated BSN, BSN, LPN, RN, RN to BSN
    (719) 549-2100

Northeastern Junior College

  • 100 College Avenue Sterling, CO 80751
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, RN
    1(800)626-4637

Trinidad State Junior College

  • 600 Prospect Street Trinidad, CO 81082
    Programs: ADN, LPN, RN
    1(800)621-8752

Front Range Community College

  • 3645 West 112th Avenue Westminster, CO 80031
    Programs: ADN, CNA, LPN, Medical Assistant, RN
    (303) 404-5000