RN Programs in Colorado
Colorado RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Colorado
- ADN Programs: 21
- BSN Programs: 17
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 85%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 70% to 100%
- Average Net-Price $12,338.50
- Net-Price Range: $8,456.00 to $24,031.00
- Average Student Loan: $10,132.95
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 87%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 63% to 96%
- Average Net-Price $17,239.88
- Net-Price Range: $9,646.00 to $37,350.00
- Average Student Loan: $16,932.76
Colorado RN Program Guide
The new healthcare reform is helping to transform the healthcare system across Colorado. Some of the best nursing schools can be here. These schools are responding by offering programs nurses need in order to be the most successful in their careers.
Many nurses are seeking out RN to BSN programs in Colorado in order to meet the demands of the evolving market. Up until recently nurses took a backseat position in terms of health care. In today’s market, nurses are making more and more healthcare decisions.
The RN to BSN programs in Colorado offer flexible hours in order to avoid conflict with work schedules. There are also online nursing programs available, which make returning to school even more attainable.
In our Colorado RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Colorado RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
The State of Colorado offers 33 RN programs in 19 different cities. Public institutions offer 20 of the RN programs in the state while there are 10 private, for-profit and 3 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.
In the State of Colorado, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Colorado RN Programs.
ADN Programs in Colorado
The state of Colorado promotes continuing education. While they do offer quite a few RN programs, most of their RN programs have partnerships with neighboring universities. These partnerships allow the student to enroll immediately upon graduation with their ADN; this allows the student to work as an RN while continuing their education as a BSN.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Colorado ADN Programs
Pikes Peak Community College has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Colorado of 99.58%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $10,360.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Colorado: 21
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 84.50%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 69.95% to 99.58%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Colorado?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Colorado so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Colorado is offered by Aims Community College at about $8,456.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 89.86%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Colorado Christian University and it will cost about $24,031.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of N/A*%.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inColorado: $12,338.50
- Net-Price Range for Colorado ADN Programs: $8,456.00 to $24,031.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Colorado Schools: $10,132.95
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Colorado: $5,500.00 to $24,364.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 14
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 5
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 2
BSN Programs in Colorado
Patients are coming down with more complex chronic conditions. BSN programs in Colorado provide nursing students with education courses in nursing science, theory and diagnostic reasoning for a better understanding of nursing. The courses that are required help nurses to build on existing foundational skills. Some of the BSN courses may include:
- The transition to professional nursing
- Nursing theory, research and evidenced-based practice
- Healthcare ethics and legalities
- Informatics, medical technology and computer literacy
- Advanced practice in maternal, pediatric and geriatric nursing
- Imperatives for individuals, families and community health
NCLEX Passing Rates for Colorado BSN Programs
Metropolitan State University of Denver wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Colorado with a score of 95.65%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $9,646.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Colorado: 17
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 87.19%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 62.67% to 95.65%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Colorado?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Colorado to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Colorado is offered by Metropolitan State University of Denver and will cost you about $9,646.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 95.65%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Platt College-Aurora and will cost you about $37,350.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 85.93%.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Colorado: $17,239.88
- Net-Price Range for Colorado BSN Programs: $9,646.00 to $37,350.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Colorado Schools: $16,932.76
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Colorado: $6,587.00 to $42,625.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 8
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 7
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 2
MSN Programs in Colorado
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Colorado offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online Programs in Colorado
Today there are very few disadvantages to earning an online RN degree in Colorado. With advances in online learning coupled the need to educate more nurses because of the nursing shortage, many nursing schools are offing online nursing programs.
For nurses needing to complete clinicals, nursing programs usually help a nurse to find one.
Be sure to choose an accredited program that meets quality standards set by either the ACEN or CCNE accrediting agencies. An accredited online RN Nursing program will help ensure that your units pass can transfer to another accredited college and help you in gain employment. Learn more about online RN programs.
Colorado RN Licensing Requirements
RN License by Exam
There a few different ways one can obtain licensure in the state of Colorado. One of the easy ways to gain licensure is through the NCLEX examination. Along with a passing score, you also need to provide verification of graduation from an approved pre-licensure RN nursing education program.
RN License by Endorsement
Colorado allows candidates who are licensed from one of the fifty states to gain licensure through endorsement. Colorado is also a member of a nurse license compact in other compact states. The bordering states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nebraska do not need to get a Colorado license if they take a position there. However, this changes if and when they move to the state. Nurses with license in non-compact states are not authorized to work in Colorado without first getting a new license. Out of state candidates may be required to take a refresher course. This applies to those who do not have a current license or have not taken the NCLEX-RN in the past two years.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Nurses who are not licensed in the United States must apply for license by examination. There are some steps that must be completed prior to this. First of all, all candidates need a Healthcare Profession and Science Report. This will determine if their education program meet the equivalent requirements. In countries where English is not the native language, nurses will need to demonstrate English competency.
RN Salaries in Colorado
There is a large expected increase of citizens who are over the age of 65. The healthcare reform will increase the patient load, which will require registered nurses to possess a high level of influence and knowledge of their skill. Hospitals are more likely to hire nurses with a BSN in order to meet the demanding needs of the industry. On average, an RN in Colorado makes more than $68,980.
Colorado Registered Nursing Salaries
Bolder, CO has the highest annual wage followed closely by Denver and surrounding area. And Denver, by a very large percentage, has the largest number of employed nurses in Colorado. Hourly salary range is between $27.98 and $34.69.
| Area | Employment | Hourly median wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 2,570 | $34.69 | $72,150 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 5,230 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO | 25,420 | $34.20 | $71,130 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 2,130 | $30.45 | $63,330 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 1,400 | $31.98 | $66,520 |
| Greeley, CO | 1,460 | $32.44 | $67,470 |
| Pueblo, CO | 2,000 | $30.25 | $62,910 |
| East and South Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 1,170 | $27.98 | $58,210 |
| West Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 1,720 | $29.27 | $60,880 |
| Northcentral Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 880 | $33.44 | $69,560 |
| Central Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 390 | $30.56 | $63,560 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
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