Nursing Schools in Colorado

Front Range Community College (FRCC) is a two-year institution that is located in Westminster, Colorado. FRCC was established in 1968 and is a school that has become a large part of the community over time. The heritage of the school can be traced all the way back to the founding of the State Board for Community Colleges, making it one of the oldest community colleges in the state. This school offers students a great number of educational opportunities. Students can earn many different degrees and certificates by attending this institution. The college is also fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The nursing department of FRCC is very good and offers students a high rate of success. There are two different paths that students can follow at this nursing department. The registered nursing AAS program is the most popular and the LPN-ADN bridge program is also available. Other programs include the nurse aid program and the practical nursing program. The mission of all of the nursing programs is to provide an excellent education for the students that will prepare them for professional careers. Students will enjoy a higher rate of success when taking NCLEX exams after going through this school. The program is fully approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This school offers students a great opportunity to receive an in-depth education. There are many programs at this school and all of them are topnotch. Students will be able to pursue many different types of degrees and certificates at this school. To add to this, students can expect the credits that they achieve to easily be transferred over to a four-year university when they wish to continue their education further. This community college was established in 1968 and it has been serving the community by offering renowned educational opportunities ever since.

PPCC also has a very highly regarded nursing program. The mission of PPCC is to prepare students for their lives as professional nurses. Nursing students will receive instruction to learn and improve all of their technical skills. All of the required knowledge will be covered throughout the program and nursing students will see their skills grow over time. The goal is to create caring, skilled, and efficient nurses that will work well in any environment where they are needed. PPCC offers CNA, ADN and a dual enrollment RN to BSN program in collaboration with the following universities: 

• Chamberlain University
• Colorado Mesa University
• Colorado State University @ Pueblo
• Denver College of Nursing
• Grand Canyon University
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Regis University
• The University of Colorado @ Colorado Springs
• University of Phoenix

Aims Community College is located in Greeley, Colorado and it is a standard two-year institution. This school was founded in 1967 and has been serving the community for several decades. It has gone through many changes and upgrades to continue to meet the high expectations of the students that are enrolled there. There are over 7,000 students enrolled in Aims and all students can expect to receive the best possible community college education. This is a very progressive school that offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs. Students will have many options to consider when choosing which educational path they wish to pursue.

The nursing program at Aims is going to allow students to prepare for careers as registered nurses. The RN program is very in-depth and it teaches all of the knowledge and skills that a nurse will need in the professional world. Students will be pursuing an associate of applied science degree with a nursing major and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam upon the completion of the degree. This nursing program focuses on things like technical skills, critical thinking, professionalism, and understanding the challenges that nurses face on a regular basis. All students who go through this program will feel well prepared for the difficulties of being a nurse and will have the tools to succeed in their career paths. 

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a public research university founded in 1889. The main campus is in Greeley, Colorado and serves about 12,000 students at its six colleges. Greeley is one of the more populous cities in Colorado and just about an hour drive from Denver. The main campus is in the heart of the city and provides close access to the Greeley Creative District, offering shopping, entertainment, and dining for the local community and university students. The university also offers over 200 programs for undergrads and grads, including several nursing programs. It is also one of the most affordable universities in Colorado, for both residents and non-residents.

The UNC School of Nursing is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, while the programs are accredited by the CCNE. The undergrad options include traditional BSN, BSN 2nd degree, and RN to BSN programs. The first two are full-time on-campus programs that help prepare students for a career in nursing with real-life training at local clinics. The RN to BSN program is an online solution for part-time students. The MSN programs include two areas of study, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Along with BSN and MSN programs, the school offers several DNP degree programs.

The Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university in Denver. It offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate programs, including nursing programs. The school was founded in 1965 to provide a college education to students from all walks of life. The main campus is still located in the old Auraria neighborhood. However, the campus has grown to include multiple buildings throughout the area. The nursing programs are mostly taught at the Boulder Creek Building. The campus is also in the center of the business district, offering convenient access to the Colorado Convention Center and the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

The Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of Nursing offers three different BSN programs, including a traditional four-year BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, and a BRNCO program. The traditional program requires students to complete two years of general studies and prerequisite courses. During the program, students will have the opportunity to earn experience in clinical settings through partnerships with nearby healthcare facilities. The BRNCO is intended for students who have graduated with an associate degree in a nursing program and want to complete their BSN. The Department of Nursing also allows transfers for pre-licensure nursing students. However, they do not offer any graduate programs in nursing.

Arapahoe Community College (ACC) is one of the most respected community college institutions in all of Colorado. It is located in Littleton, Colorado and it was founded back in 1965. This is the very first community college that opened in the Denver area and it has been serving the community dutifully ever since opening its doors. Currently, over 20,000 students are enrolled at this community college. ACC has a number of different degree opportunities and certificates for students to earn. With over 100 programs for students to consider, this school has the right career opportunities for virtually any student. This is a fully accredited community college that is held in high regard, so students can expect a great education when attending this school.

The Associate Nursing Degree (ADN) program that is offered at this school is very sought-after. Students will be able to develop the necessary skills that will allow them to work in hospitals and clinical settings in various fields. ACC has a nursing program with very high success rates and it gives a proper education to every nurse that goes through the program. Nursing students will be prepared for the challenges of nursing and will be given all of the tools to succeed. This program is approved by both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Colorado State Board of Nursing. ACC also has an LPN program but admission restricted to those who managed to get into the ADN program. The school offers CNA and LPN-to-ADN bridge program.

The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a public university and part of the Colorado state university system. For the Fall 2017 school year, the university served over 12,000 students, with a 16:1 student to faculty ratio. It was founded in 1965 with a focus on business and engineering courses. In 1997, the Beth-El College of Nursing merged with UCCS, increasing the number of degrees offered. The university is committed to helping people pursue their dreams, offering financial aid packages to over 66% of students. UCCS is also ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the West.

The UCCS nursing program is offered through the Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences nursing department. This department is about a half mile east of the main campus and offers several nursing degrees, including traditional BSN and MSN programs. The undergraduate majors include the traditional program, along with an accelerated BSN program and RN to BSN program. The RN to BSN offers dual online enrollment. The on-campus nursing programs combine education, research, and service by allowing students to work in real clinical settings and simulation labs. Graduate programs include an MSN program with specialty tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gero, and Psych/Mental Health and are only offered online.

Regis University is a private Roman Catholic university in Denver. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1877 and is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is structured into five colleges offering a wide range of majors and minors for undergraduates. The university offers a small student to faculty ratio and was ranked the 23rd top regional university in the West by US News & World Report. They currently offer 131 different degree programs and a variety of services to help students receive scholarships or financial aid.

Nursing programs at Regis University are handled through the Loretto Heights School of Nursing at the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. These programs include an accelerated BSN designed to be completed in one year of full-time study. They also offer a traditional BSN program and an RN to BSN program. The four-year traditional BSN path includes two years of general studies and prerequisite courses followed by two years of the core curriculum. This core curriculum also includes 756 hours of clinical experience at nearby healthcare facilities. For those already working in the healthcare field, the university offers a BSN CHOICE program, allowing students to maintain their day job and further their education. All nursing programs are accredited by the CCNE.

Morgan Community College (MCC) is a two-year community college located in Fort Morgan, Colorado. This school was originally established in 1970 and is a member of the Colorado Community College System. It is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The campus of this college features six main buildings that are all named after different types of trees. It is a college that has become a very crucial part of the community over time and it continues to provide students with a thorough education. Students can expect to be able to earn many different types of degrees and certificates at MCC. 

The MCC nursing program is a very good one that does a great job of preparing nursing students for the complexities of working as a professional nurse. Students will be able to pursue an associate of applied science in nursing degree. There are also advanced placement options allowing for LPN to ADN programs. All nursing courses will seek to prepare students for success in the professional world while also readying them for NCLEX licensure examinations. Nurses will receive classroom instructions along with supervised interactions with patients. This hands-on method of learning allows nursing students to gain real experience that will prove to be invaluable. 

Colorado State University-Pueblo is a public university in Pueblo and part of the Colorado State University system. The university started as a three-room junior college inside the Pueblo County Courthouse with just 63 students. It now serves over 5,000 students each semester and offers 29 undergrad degree programs. The main campus sits on 275-acres in northern Pueblo and includes several recently-renovated buildings, including the Occhiato Student Center. Most of the 18 buildings feature a Modern Aztec architectural style that was recognized by the American Institute of Architects, earning the school a national award.

The first nursing program at Colorado State University-Pueblo was established in 1964 and became the School of Nursing in 2017. All programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The BSN options include a traditional BSN, RN to BSN, and accelerated BSN program. All BSN programs include real-life clinical experience at local healthcare facilities. The MSN program includes courses for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, AGACNP/FNP, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Educator. The MSN program is offered through in-classroom learning and online learning. 100% of graduates of the 2015 to 2016 school year that completed the MSN program obtained jobs after graduation.