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
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