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Colorado, CO - LPN Nursing Program Information

How to Become an LPN in Colorado

Grades are the number one factor affecting entry in a Colorado LPN program and he best way to ensure acceptance is through getting good grades in prerequisite courses. Around 30 credit hours of coursework must be completed in general studies to satisfy application requirements. Topics range from science courses like math, microbiology, and chemistry, to the liberal arts courses like English and psychology. After prerequisites are complete, LPN programs in Colorado typically take an additional year to finish. They may be taken through a few hospitals and clinics, but are mostly offered by colleges and universities. Not all programs have the same entrance requirements, so it is important to select a school where you have a reasonable chance of getting into the school of nursing.

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The fastest route to licensure is through a diploma program, but it is also possible to take the National Counsel Licensing Examination-Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) after the first year of an Associate Degree, Nursing, or a targeted LPN program. In addition to a $200 examination fee paid to national administrators Pearson Vue, candidates must pay the Colorado Board of Nursing $88 and provide proof of completion of a state approved LPN program or equivalent.

Once a student has received their official passing results from the Colorado Board of Nursing, they are eligible to begin working as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state. The license must be renewed every two years on June 30 of even numbered years.

Colorado LPN Salary, Hours and Duties

Nurses are one of the most in demand occupations in Colorado and the US Department of Labor predicts that demand will continue to grow in coming years. And while around two-thirds of nurses still work in hospitals, a growing number are finding employment in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and other private institutions, where the average salary for an LPN in metropolitan areas is around $41,500 per year (according to BLS.gov), plus extensive benefits—certainly a good income for a license that takes a little over two years to obtain.

Typical tasks for Colorado LPNs involve direct patient care. With Registered Nurses and doctors as their direct superiors, they are responsible for medicine administration, patient observation, and more. They may also be responsible for other types of bedside care such as bathing, feeding, collecting samples and maintaining medical equipment. LPNs must also have a firm understanding of the emotional and psychological needs of their patients as health problems can be very difficult for patients and their families to manage.

LPNs in Colorado usually work 40 hours per week, but their schedules are often variable. Nights, swing shifts and split shifts are common as patient care takes place at all hours of the day. Although this isn’t ideal for everyone, it may be advantageous for nurses who appreciate a flexible schedule due to other commitments such as family, school and so on.