RN Nursing Programs in Colorado - CO

The Quickest Route to an RN: ADN

Becoming a Colorado Registered Nurse takes two years, minimum. Hospitals and other private facilities provide what is perhaps the fastest route to licensure, through accelerated programs dedicated to preparing for the NCLEX. In a more traditional educational setting, an Associate Degree, Nursing program or ADN takes two years and can be found throughout the state. Prerequisites and applications can easily take a year, making an ADN, realistically, a three year route to becoming an RN. Admission is based largely upon performance in roughly 30 credit hours of study focusing upon topics like biology, physiology, English, math and psychology. It is very important to get good grades as most nursing programs are quite competitive when it comes to entry.

Course work in an ADN mostly focuses on patient care and diagnosis, but usually includes study in the liberal arts and hard sciences—knowledge of both nursing procedures and good communication and interpersonal skills are vital in a dynamic health care environment. Once all course work has been completed, students prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Applying for the exam to the Colorado Board of Nursing is necessary at a cost of $88. Then, the test itself costs an additional $200, paid to national exam administrator Pearson Vue . Once the exam is successfully completed, a nurse with an ADN receives their license to practice and can begin entry-level work as a Registered Nurse.

Registered Nursing with a BSN: Advanced Training

While an ADN takes much less time, around half of Registered Nurses choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science, Nursing, or BSN. While it takes four years to complete, this is worth it to many as it creates the opportunity for further specialization, better employment opportunities, and, ultimately, higher wages. The first half of a BSN are more or less the same as an Associate Degree, Nursing, with ten prerequisite courses in general studies and general admission to a college required before applying directly to a college of nursing. The two subsequent years are what really make a difference in a BSN, during which students study advanced theory and practice, nursing research, family health, pediatrics, maternity, and much more based on their personal interests. BSN programs also have work experience as part of their studies, through a directed practicum. Working in conjunction with health care institutions, students are placed in supervised setting and get to experience work as a nurse first hand throughout their program. Not only does this give them experience when entering the work force and connections in the professional world, but it also exposes them to a variety of occupational settings and can help determine where they may wish to pursue specialization and employment as they complete their BSN.

Like an ADN, BSN students take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Application for the exam is done through the Colorado Board of Nursing and costs $88. The test itself costs $200, paid to national exam administrator Pearson Vue. And once the exam is passed—which is the case for over 85 percent of first time applicants—new nurses may enter the work force. BSN students hold a level of critical thinking skills that prepares students for a leadership role in a health care setting and beyond. This allows RNs equipped with a BSN to pursue a more diverse array of career options than those with an ADN, which is worth considering when deciding what educational path to choose.

RN Jobs in Colorado: Hours, Salaries and Duties

Registered Nurses are the largest group of health care workers in Colorado, where they make, on average, around $63,000 (according to BLS.gov) per year in metropolitan areas, not including typically excellent benefits. This isn’t to say that becoming an RN is a path to easy money, however. Working long hours, split shift, weekends and nights is normal—after all, patients need attention around the clock. RNs must also make tough decisions and take responsibility for their patient’s health, which can be trying for some. From management of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants, to complicated decision making procedures and critical patient care, the decisions and actions of RNs impact the lives of dozens or even hundreds of people every day. But this kind of responsibility and critical thinking can be very rewarding at the end of the day, and no one day will ever be the same for an RN in Colorado. Whether working in a hospital like two-thirds of RNs or in nursing homes, physician’s offices, private clinics, or another setting, becoming a Registered Nurse in Colorado is an interesting and rewarding career.

Colorado Hospitals with RN (Registered Nursing) Programs      

10th Medical Group - United States Air Force Academy
            21st Medical Group - Peterson Air Force Base

A  
            Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center - La Junta
            Aspen Valley Hospital - Aspen
            Avista Adventist Hospital - Louisville

B  
            Banner Health CO, CNA Nursing Programs
            East Morgan Hospital - Brush
            McKee Medical Center - Loveland
            North CO, CNA Nursing Programs Medical Center - Greeley
            Sterling Regional MedCenter - Sterling
            Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes - Denver
            Boulder Community Hospital - Boulder

C  
            Cedar Springs Behavioral Health System - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            Centennial Peaks Hospital - Louisville
            Center for Dependency, Addiction & Rehabilitation (CeDAR) - Aurora.
            Centura Health CO, CNA Nursing Programs
            Avista Adventist Hospital - Louisville
            Littleton Adventist Hospital - Littleton
            Parker Adventist Hospital - Parker
            Penrose-Saint Francis - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            Porter Adventist Hospital - Littleton
            Saint Anthony's Hospitals - Denver
            Saint Mary-Corwin Medical Center - Pueblo
            Summit and Granby Medical Centers - Frisco and Granby
            Children's Hospital, The - Denver
            CO, CNA Nursing Programs Acute Specialty Care Hospital - Denver
            CO, CNA Nursing Programs Allergy And Asthma Centers, P.C. - Denver
            CO, CNA Nursing Programs Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan - Denver
            CO, CNA Nursing Programs Mental Health Institute at Pueblo - Pueblo
            CO, CNA Nursing Programs Plains Medical Center - Fort Morgan
            CO, CNA Nursing Programs West Regional Mental Health Center - provides outpatient mental health services to the residents of Western CO, CNA Nursing Programs.
            Community Hospital - Grand Junction
            Conejos Hospital - La Jara, Conejos
            Craig Hospital - Englewood
            Crossroads Managed Care Systems, Inc. (CMCS) - Pueblo

D  
            Delta Memorial Hospital - Delta
            Denver Health - Denver
            Denver Health Medical Center - Denver
            Devereux Cleo Wallace Center - Denver

E  
            Eagle Valley Medical Center - Eagle
            East Morgan Hospital - Brush
            Estes Park Medical Center - Estes Park
            Evans U.S. Army Hospital - Fort Carson
            Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center - Lafayette
            Exempla Healthcare
            Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center - Lafayette
            Exempla Lutheran Medical Center - Wheat Ridge
            Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital - Denver
            Exempla Lutheran Medical Center - Wheat Ridge
            Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital - Denver

F  
            Family Health West - Fruita

G  
            Good Samaritan Medical Center - Lafayette
            Grand Rural Health Network - Granby, Grand
            Grand Junction VA Medical Center - Grand Junction
            Grand River Hospital District - Rifle
            Gunnison Valley Hospital - Gunnison

H  
            HealthONE
            Medical Center of Aurora - Denver
            North Suburban Medical Center - Thornton
            Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center - Denver
            Rose Medical Center - Denver
            Sky Ridge Medical Center - Lone Tree
            Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital - Aurora
            Swedish Medical Center - Englewood (metro Denver)
            HealthSouth Aurora Surgery Center - Aurora
            HealthSouth CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs Surgery Center - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            HealthSouth Denver West Surgery Center - Golden
            HealthSouth Pueblo Surgery Center - Pueblo
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Aurora
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Castle Rock
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Englewood
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Fort Collins
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Littleton
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Longmont
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center - Northglenn
            HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            HealthSouth Spine & Rehabilitation Center - Lakewood
            HealthSouth Spine & Rehabilitation Center - Wheat Ridge
            HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center - Denver
            HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center - Evergreen
            HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center - Greeley
            HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center - Lakewood
            HealthSouth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center - Monument, El Paso
            Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center - Salida
            High Country Health Care, P.C. - Frisco

I  

J  

K  
            Keefe Memorial Hospital - Cheyenne Wells, Cheyenne
            Kindred Hospital - Denver - Denver
            Kit Carson Memorial Hospital - Burlington
            Kremmling Memorial Hospital - Kremmling, Grand

L  
            Lincoln Community Hospital & Nursing Home - Hugo, Lincoln
            Littleton Adventist Hospital - Littleton
            Longmont United Hospital - Longmont
            Lutheran Medical Center - Wheat Ridge

M  
            McKee Medical Center - Loveland
            Medical Center of Aurora - Aurora
            Melissa Memorial Hospital - Holyoke
            Memorial Hospital - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            Memorial Hospital, The - Craig
            Mercy Medical Center - Durango
            Montrose Memorial Hospital - Montrose
            Mount San Rafael Hospital - Trinidad
            Mountain Valley Medical Center - Kremmling, Grand

N  
            National Jewish Medical and Research Center - Denver
            North CO, CNA Nursing Programs Medical Center - Greeley
            North Suburban Medical Center - Thornton
            North Valley Rehabilitation Hospital - Thornton

O  

P  
            Parker Adventist Hospital - Parker
            Parkview Medical Center - Pueblo
            Penrose-Saint Francis - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            Pioneers Hospital - Meeker
            Platte Valley Medical Center - Brighton
            Porter Adventist Hospital - Littleton
            Poudre Valley Health System - Fort Collins
            Presbyterian-Saint Luke's Medical Center - Denver
            Prowers Medical Center - Lamar

Q  

R  
            Rangely District Hospital - Rangely
            Rose Medical Center - Denver

S  
            Saint Anthony Central Hospital - Denver
            Saint Anthony Granby Hospital - Granby, Grand
            Saint Anthony's Hospitals - Denver
            Saint Anthony Central Hospital - Denver
            Saint Anthony Granby Hospital - Granby, Grand
            Saint Anthony North Hospital - Westminster
            Saint Anthony Summit Medical Center - Frisco
            Saint Anthony North Hospital - Westminster
            Saint Anthony Summit Medical Center - Frisco
            Saint Joseph Hospital - Denver
            Saint Mary-Corwin Medical Center - Pueblo
            Saint Mary's Hospital - Grand Junction
            Saint Thomas More Hospital - Canon City
            Saint Vincent Hospital -  Leadville
            San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center - Alamosa
            SCCI Hospital - Aurora
            Sedgwick Health Center - Julesburg, Sedgwick
            Select Specialty Hospital-Denver - Denver
            Sempercare Hospital of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs - CO, CNA Nursing Programs Springs
            Sky Ridge Medical Center - Lone Tree
            Southeast CO, CNA Nursing Programs Hospital District - Springfield
            Southwest Memorial Hospital - Cortez
            Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital - Aurora
            Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center - Walsenburg, Huerfano
            Sterling Regional MedCenter - Sterling
            Summit and Granby Medical Centers - Frisco and Granby
            Swedish Medical Center - Englewood (metro Denver)

T  

U  
            United States Air Force Academy Hospital - United States Air Force Academy
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Cancer Center - Aurora
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Hospital - Aurora
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Hospital - Denver
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Health Sciences Center -  Denver
            Children's Hospital, The - Denver
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Cancer Center - Aurora
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Hospital - Aurora
            University of CO, CNA Nursing Programs Hospital - Denver

V  
            VA Eastern CO, CNA Nursing Programs Health Care System (ECHCS) - Denver
            VA Rocky Mountain Network (VISN19) - Glendale
            Grand Junction VA Medical Center - Grand Junction
            VA Eastern CO, CNA Nursing Programs Health Care System (ECHCS) - Denver
            Vail Valley Medical Center - Vail
            Valley View Hospital - Glenwood Springs
            Eagle Valley Medical Center - Eagle

W  
            Weisbrod Memorial Hospital - Eads, Kiowa
            Wray Community District Hospital - Wray,

X  

Y  
            Yampa Valley Medical Center - Steamboat Springs
            Yuma District Hospital - Yuma