LPN Programs in Colorado
By EveryNurse Staff on February 01, 2021
A licensed practical nurse is hired to care for patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities. He or she performs duties in the workplace that may include updating patient health records, changing bandages, taking blood pressure measurements, and helping a patient bathe. A certificate from an approved LPN program in Colorado qualifies a graduate to apply to open positions throughout the state. This type of curriculum usually takes one year to complete, and is generally offered at community colleges and technical schools.
Schools With LPN Programs in Colorado
- Colorado Mesa University, located in Grand Junction, has a program geared towards students with an interest in becoming a licensed practical nurse. Offering a curriculum that prepares graduates to assume direct patient care responsibilities in a wide range of work environments, the University’s application deadline is always March 1 of every year for classes that start in August. After program completion in May, graduates are eligible to take the State Board examination (NCLEX-PN) to gain licensure as an LPN.
- Concorde Career College offers a practical nursing program that prepares graduates to pass the licensing exam to become an LPN. While attending classes, students encounter coursework and clinical experiences related to subjects such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, administration of medications, legal and ethical responsibilities, and nutrition. The curriculum typically takes around 13 months to finish, where graduates walk away with a diploma of Practical Nursing upon completion.
- In Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College has a program with an Associate of Applied Science Degree with Licensed Practical Nurse Exit Option. Before a student can begin nursing classes that start in the fall or spring, he or she must complete coursework centered on basic skills standards for the career field, such as Introduction to Algebra, College Preparatory Reading, Basic Composition, and General College Biology I with a lab. Students will also take Human Anatomy & Physiology, Fundamentals of Nursing, and Basics of Pharmacology as part of their curriculum.
- Upon successfully completing specific areas of coursework, students can test for a Practical Nursing Licensure after earning a Certificate of Study from Lamar Community College. Students wish to immediately pursue an entry-level nursing position as an LPN will opt out of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program. The school’s curriculum is accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), as well as fully approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, and the Colorado Community College System.
- In Denver, the Emily Griffith Opportunity School has an LPN program that prepares graduates to deliver effective direct patient care under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse. Some of the required nursing courses within the LPN program includes Dietary Nutrition; Pharmacology Calculations; Health Assessment for the PN; PN Arts and Skills; and Basic Anatomy and Physiology. Approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, the program typically takes 10 months to complete.
- Under the umbrella of the Healthcare Occupations department at Delta-Montrose Technical College, students may apply to the Nursing Aide and Practical Nursing programs offered by the school. The program for a full-time student is two semesters long with an additional summer mini-session; it takes about 10 months to complete. Students may also opt to pursue part-time studies. The LPN program at DMTC meets the requirements of, and is approved by, the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System (CCCOES) and the Colorado State Board of Nursing, as well as accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
- Pueblo Community College offers a limited-entry admission ADN program with a practical nursing exit point for those looking to earn a certificate to become an LPN. Upon successful completion of the first two semesters of the program, students can opt out of the program, and are eligible to take the Practical Nursing National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).
- Trinidad College Colorado is also home to an ADN program that caters to practical nursing students. Upon successful completion of the first two semesters of the program and the course NUR 169, students have the option of a practical nursing exit point, which leads to the receipt of a certificate of completion. Graduates also gain eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN exam. During the program, students encounter theoretical and applied instruction within a classroom setting and simulated laboratories, while clinical learning involves a range of health-related institutions. The curriculum includes coursework related to adult, obstetric, pediatric, and psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Colorado LPN Checklist
- Set aside at least one year to apply to and complete an approved educational program for LPNs.
- After getting a certificate in Practical Nursing, pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam in Colorado.
- Gain licensure as an LPN by submitting an application to the Colorado Board of Nursing, and paying the initial ~$88 fee.
- Renew LPN license every two years.
- LPNs working in Colorado are not expected to fulfill any continuing education requirements when renewing a license for the state.
Degree Guides
Colorado Salary & Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of LPNs is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is faster than the average rate for all other occupations across the nation. The BLS reports that licensed practical nurses employed in the state of Colorado generally earn a median yearly salary of $44,750. Also, with experience, some LPNs are able to earn a higher income by applying for a position that has supervisory responsibilities.
