How to Become an RN in Colorado: 5 Steps
Looking for information on how to become an RN in Colorado? The Centennial State offers great opportunities for nurses, with an excellent quality of life and many well-regarded medical facilities.
Whether you’re interested in city living in Denver or Colorado Springs, or an outdoor-oriented lifestyle in Estes Park or Breckenridge, the Centennial State has a lot to offer. Learn more about how to become a registered nurse in Colorado and the awesome opportunities the state has to offer.
What Does an RN in Colorado Do?
Nurses in Colorado work in acute care hospitals, post-acute rehabs, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and much more. Nurses use their technical and interpersonal skills to deliver care to a range of patient populations. With an RN license, you could pursue specialty practice in any of the following areas and more:
- Trauma nursing: Because Colorado is an outdoors-oriented state, nurses here may find opportunities to care for patients with fractures, sports injuries, and more.
- Emergency room nursing: ER nurses work in fast-paced environments, seeing patients with acute emergencies, such as allergic reactions, heart attacks, and other injuries.
- Psychiatric nursing: Mental health nurses in Colorado help patients with issues like substance use disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder.
- Rural nursing: With much of the state’s population living far from major cities, rural nurses in Colorado help patients access essential care and services.
- Flight nursing: Transport nurses help patients safely get to a higher level of care via helicopter or airplane.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in CO?
It will likely take you between two to four years to become an RN in Colorado. This is because there are two ways to pursue a registered nurse license — either through a two-year associate’s program (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s degree (BSN).
While either degree will prepare you for entry-level nursing practice, many nursing leaders advocate for the BSN because it will give you more career options in the long term. Check out some of the highest-ranked BSN programs in Colorado:
- University of Colorado Anschutz
- University of Northern Colorado
- Colorado State University – Pueblo
- Aspen University
- Colorado Christian University
Wondering how to become an RN in Colorado faster? The BSN is a great option if you’re looking to attend a university or college, but if you want a less expensive degree that will take less time to earn, consider the ADN path. You’ll take the same basic courses, attend hands-on labs and clinical rotations, and graduate with a degree you can build on later if you choose. Here are some of the top ADN programs in CO:
- Front Range Community College
- Trinidad State
- Pikes Peak State College
- Arapahoe Community College
- Denver College of Nursing
How to Become an RN in Colorado: 5 Steps
Step 1: Complete Nursing School
Whichever degree path you choose, you can expect nursing school to include a combination of challenging courses, labs, and clinical experiences. Here are some of the classes you’ll take during your program:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Nursing fundamentals
- Health assessment
- Pediatrics
- Women’s health
- Psychiatric nursing
BSN students will take additional courses in leadership, ethics, and others. Many students find nursing school challenging because there’s a high volume of information you’ll need to learn in a short period of time. Pace your studying, form review groups, and check out our guide on being a good nursing student.
Looking for ways to make income while you’re in school? Student nurse roles and externships can help you gain experience in a variety of care settings, and they’re structured to accommodate your school schedule. Find student nurse jobs in Colorado.
Step 2: Apply for the NCLEX
Once you graduate, you’ll apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) in Colorado. To begin, make an account with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Applications require the following items:
- Proof of nursing education, including official transcripts
- Background check and fingerprinting
- Proof of any other licensure
- Declaration of Colorado as primary state of residence
- General and criminal history screening questionnaire
- Completed health professional profile
- Application fee
Once your application goes through, you’ll receive an authorization to test in your email. The NCLEX is administered through Pearson VUE, so you’ll need to make another account with them to register. There’s a $200 exam fee to take the NCLEX.
Step 3: Pass the NCLEX
This is the final step in the process of how to become an RN in Colorado. The NCLEX is a nationwide, standardized exam that ensures you’re ready for practice as an entry-level nurse. The text covers topics ranging from health promotion and maintenance to physiological integrity. Learn more about preparing for the NCLEX.
What if you fail the NCLEX in CO? Colorado’s rules for retaking the NCLEX are more stringent than other states — if you’ve taken it once, you can take it twice more within the first three years of your first exam date. To take it a fourth time, you’ll need to petition the BON. Prepare well for the test to avoid having to take the exam over again.
Now that you’ve passed the NCLEX, you might be wondering, How do I get my RN license in Colorado? The Colorado Board of Nursing should post your RN license online within 24 to 48 hours of earning your passing NCLEX score. Now, you’re ready to begin work as an RN in Colorado.
Step 4: Start Your Job Hunt
Many new nurses begin working in acute care centers, where you’ll gain critical thinking skills by working with complex cases. Nurse residency programs are offered by hospitals and large medical facilities, and they support nurses who are entering the field or transitioning to a new specialty. Through a residency, you might begin work in med-surg, pediatrics, oncology, critical care, or somewhere else.
However, not every new nurse is interested in working in a typical nursing unit — many begin in skilled nursing facilities or outpatient medicine. Learn more about your options when you search for jobs for new grad RNs.
What is an RN salary in Colorado on average? Colorado nurses make an average of $91,730 per year, but new graduates typically begin at the lower end of the income range. You can increase your earning potential by pursuing specialty certifications, gaining experience, and becoming a leader on your unit.
One of the largest determining factors of your income is where you live, with nurses in larger cities typically earning a higher wage. See nursing jobs in the most populous cities in Colorado:
One of the benefits of learning how to become an RN in Colorado is that CO is a compact state. Once you’re an RN, you can apply for a multistate license that allows you to practice in other NLC states. Check out RN jobs in these nearby states:
Step 5: Keep Your Colorado RN License Up to Date
To maintain your license, keep track of when your next renewal is due and complete the requirements on time. Colorado RN license renewals are due every two years. Learn more with our step-by-step guide on CO nursing license renewals.
Find RN Jobs in Colorado and Beyond
Now that you know how to become an RN in Colorado, you can learn more about nursing opportunities with our personalized nursing job notifications. We send you fresh roles customized to your location, license, and specialty. Learn more today.