The Top Nursing Schools in Colorado
Are you looking for a tax-friendly state that offers stunning natural landscapes and a healthy lifestyle? Colorado may be the place for you, with cities boasting high-performing hospitals and healthcare organizations that appeal to working nurses.
World-class skiing and outdoor recreation encourage nurses to find a solid work-life balance that helps prevent burnout. Just outside of Denver and south of Fort Collins is Rocky Mountain National Park, a mecca for interesting wildlife. Museums, professional sports, and optimal shopping and dining options mean there is something in Colorado for nearly everyone.
This page explores how to become a nurse in Colorado, job outlook for nurses and Colorado RN salary information. Keep reading to learn more about the top nursing schools in Colorado and how to choose the program that’s right for you.
The Best Nursing Schools in Colorado
Only you can decide on the best nursing program in Colorado that meets your needs. This guide offers important criteria to consider as you compare nursing schools, including graduation rate, tuition, time commitment, and admission requirements. Since accreditation is necessary for your nursing license, only accredited nursing schools in Colorado are listed.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Colorado, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Featured Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Colorado
As you explore nursing programs in Colorado, look at the acceptance rate for the school. The higher the percentage, the greater the potential you’ll be admitted. Likewise, the NCLEX-RN pass rate indicates how well the school prepares students for their nursing career.
The level of education and preparation must be balanced against the program’s tuition. However, students may also have unique financial opportunities to help offset the costs. The Colorado Nurses Association offers several nursing scholarships, and most colleges and universities have a list of external scholarships available to students not administered by the school.
Many nursing programs in Colorado offer online options to give working students scheduling flexibility. It is important to note that while much of the coursework may be completed online, state accreditation standards have in-person clinical requirements.
Clinical opportunities vary by program and licensure status. For example, first-year nursing students receive help finding clinical placements. However, online nursing programs for advanced nursing degrees may require the student to find their own clinical setting. The school must approve the placement.
The length of your nursing program in Colorado depends on the degree. Full-time students can complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in two years and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in four years.
Why Become a Nurse in Colorado
The recreational attractions in Colorado appeal to those who love outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle. In addition to these benefits, the state boasts 13 Magnet Hospital designations. This award from the American Nurses Credentialing Center is a stamp of nursing excellence.
The 2020 NCLEX-RN pass rate is 4% higher than the national average, an overall indication of the quality of the nursing schools in Colorado.
Although Colorado is not a right-to-work state, they have a hybrid program called the Labor Peace Act. This authorizes the establishment of standards for fair conduct in the workplace and means that most employees enjoy the same compensation and benefits as union members.
Colorado has not yet passed mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios, but the Colorado Nurses Association has established Principles for Nurse Staffing that emphasize:
- The need for nurses to have input in staffing decisions
- Healthcare facilities to include staffing guidelines with measurable outcomes
- Needs based on multiple factors
- Flexible staffing and teamwork initiatives to meet the needs of the patients
Finally, as you evaluate the healthcare environment in Colorado, note that the state is a part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). This allows nurses to hold one multistate license that allows them to practice in their home state and other participating NLC states. Many surrounding states are NLC states, except Nevada, Oregon, and California.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Colorado
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual registered nurse (RN) salary is $80,670 among the 51,680 RNs employed in the state. Colorado ranks 16th nationally for RN salary and 18th in the cost-of-living index.
Projections Central expects a job growth rate for RNs and nurse practitioners (NPs) comparable to or higher than the national average, placing Colorado as the second fastest-growing state in the U.S. for RNs and NPs.
Highest Paying Cities for Nurses in Colorado
Some of the top-performing hospitals in Colorado are located in Aurora, Loveland, Denver, and Fort Collins. They are also some of the top-paying metro areas in the state.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Median Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Boulder | $85,020 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood | $82,860 |
| Fort Collins | $78,660 |
| Pueblo | $76,930 |
| Colorado Springs | $78,520 |
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Colorado
There are many opportunities for RNs in Colorado to advance their education and career. As in other states, you may get your RN license through an ADN or a BSN nursing program in Colorado after passing the NCLEX-RN. You may receive your license through examination if it is the first time you’ve applied for state licensure. If you do not have a license from an NLC state, you may obtain your license through endorsement.
RN Requirements
As in other states, you must first be licensed to practice as an RN. After completing an accredited ADN or BSN program, you must pass the NCLEX-RN. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies administers the nursing licenses through the Colorado State Board of Nursing. The board oversees nursing education, licensing, and enforcement.
The board also approves a candidate’s application to take the NCLEX. The student must send official transcripts from the nursing program and include the nonrefundable application fee. To apply for a new license, a student must submit an application online. The application includes:
- Fingerprint and background check
- Non-refundable and non-transferable fee
- Information about your nursing education
- Other healthcare licenses you may hold
- Primary state of residence
- General criminal history screening
- A completed Health Professions Profile
- Date of the initial licensing exam
- Official transcripts
RNs who declare their primary state of residence in Colorado must renew their license by September 30 every two years. Continuing education credits are not required for renewal.
APRN Requirements
To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you must have graduated from an accredited master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies also administers and oversees the licensure of APRNs in the state. The application process requires that you hold an active and unencumbered RN license in Colorado or hold an NLC state license. A complete application includes:
- Payment of the appropriate non-refundable and non-transferable fees
- Information about other healthcare licenses you may hold
- Verification of your national certification
- Selection of a population focus, if applicable, with the appropriate additional certification
- Declare a primary state of residency
- Attest to your professional liability insurance
- Information about your RN license
- Criminal history screening and Healthcare Professions Profile if you have a multistate license
APRNs may also apply for prescriptive authority. APRN status is renewed every other year and may be completed at the same time as the RN license renewal by September 30. Continuing education credits are not required for the RN renewal but may be required to renew the APRN certification by the national organization.
Other Top Nursing Programs in Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Colorado
To become an RN, you must graduate from an accredited ADN or BSN program. This can take 2-4 years or more, depending on the program you select and if you attend full or part time. To get your license, you must also pass the NCLEX-RN and apply to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for your license.
As in other areas of the country, there is a shortage of nurses. Additionally, Colorado’s Center for Nursing Excellence reports that 32% of nurses in the state are over age 55. This means within 10 years, nearly one-third of the nurses working in Colorado will retire. This could result in a greater shortage.
Since Colorado is an NLC state, you may practice in Colorado if you come from a state that is also part of the compact. If you want to change your state of residence to Colorado and transfer your license from another state, you should apply for endorsement through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Submit a fingerprint and background check, license verification, and applicable fees. You must also answer criminal history screening questions and complete a Health Professions Profile.
According to ZipRecruiter, which gathers information from job postings, the average annual salary for a nurse with a BSN is $78,270. The average salary is higher in certain metropolitan areas and may be lower in rural areas. The top-paying Colorado cities include Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs.
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