Nursing Programs in Denver, CO

Front Range Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) program at the Westminster Campus prepares students to become registered nurses through a comprehensive four-semester curriculum. Combining 42.5 credits of nursing coursework with 29 general education credits, the program emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and holistic person-centered care. Clinical experiences span acute care, home health, and community settings across the Denver metro area, providing real-world skills. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The program is accredited by ACEN and offers a dual enrollment option with FRCC's RN-to-BSN completion program, allowing seamless advancement. With a focus on both the science and art of nursing, students develop into safe, effective nurses ready to serve diverse populations.

• ACEN accredited
• 4-Semester program
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• 42.5 nursing credits required
• 29 general education credits
• Dual enrollment in RN-to-BSN
• Clinical experiences across Denver metro
• Four-semester program
• Holistic person-centered care

Front Range Community College's RN-to-BSN Completion Program is designed for registered nurses and nursing students seeking to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This hybrid program offers the flexibility of online coursework combined with a 68-hour in-person practicum in leadership and community health. You can complete the program in as few as four full-time semesters, with part-time options available for working professionals. The curriculum emphasizes advanced nursing skills, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice, preparing you for supervisory roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. FRCC's dedicated online advisors and experienced faculty support your success. With over 50 years of nursing education in Colorado and recognition as a top online learning institution, this program opens doors to management positions and graduate study.

• 4-Semester program
• Complete in four full-time semesters
• Full-time and part-time options
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• 68 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Top 10 community college for online learning
• 25+ years experience in online education
• Dedicated online advisors for BSN students
• Over 50 years educating nurses in Colorado

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at Arapahoe Community College prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and a career as a registered nurse. Curriculum covers medical-surgical, maternal-child, and psychiatric nursing, plus pharmacology. Hands-on learning occurs in simulation labs and clinical placements. The program emphasizes critical thinking and evidence-based care. Graduates work in hospitals, long-term care, and rehabilitation. ACC boasts a 96% NCLEX pass rate and excellent job placement. Admission requires prerequisites, HESI A2, and CNA license. After admission, the program is 4 semesters. Accredited by ACEN, it offers seamless progression to a BSN.

• ACEN accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: HESI
• 4-Semester program
• Apply by 2027-04-27
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 96% licensure pass rate
• 96% job placement rate
• 3.0 GPA minimum

Arapahoe Community College’s LPN to ADN Nursing AAS program provides a streamlined pathway for licensed practical nurses to earn an associate degree and become registered nurses. This on-campus program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite science courses including anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. With small cohorts of 12 students, you'll receive focused instruction in courses like Transition LPN-ADN, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health, and Pharmacology. Your LPN experience is recognized through prior learning credits, allowing you to skip first-year nursing courses. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and apply for Colorado RN licensure, with the option to simultaneously enroll in the RN-BSN completion program. Applications open twice per year for summer and fall cohorts. If you've been an LPN for more than three years, 1,000 hours of recent work experience is required.

• Apply by 2026-04-10
• Starts summer/fall
• Cohort-based structure
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Work experience required
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Small cohorts of 12 students
• Background check and drug screening
• Dual enrollment in RN-BSN program

Arapahoe Community College's online RN-BSN Completion Program is designed for registered nurses with an active license or current ADN students seeking to advance their careers. This ACEN-accredited program builds on existing nursing knowledge through courses in evidence-based practice, leadership, community health, and legal/ethical issues. The flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their education with electives in areas like gerontology or emergency preparedness. With part-time and full-time options, you can balance work and study. The program emphasizes critical thinking, professionalism, and communication skills, preparing graduates for leadership roles in diverse healthcare settings. Dual enrollment is available for those still completing their ADN, offering a seamless transition to a bachelor's degree.

• ACEN accredited
• 4-Semester program
• 120 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 100% job placement rate
• Dual enrollment option
• Online program
• Flexible 48.5-credit program
• Part-time completion in 6 semesters
• Build on nursing skills

The University of Colorado College of Nursing offers a highly regarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through multiple pathways designed to fit diverse student backgrounds. The Traditional pathway is a full-time, 24-month program that immerses students in classroom, simulation, and direct patient care experiences at the CU Anschutz campus. The Accelerated pathway (UCAN) enables students with a prior bachelor's degree to earn their BSN in just 12 months. Both pathways emphasize evidence-based, relationship-centered care and interprofessional collaboration with pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, and public health. The curriculum covers health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, pediatrics, obstetrics, and population health. Graduates are prepared to practice as generalist nurses in a variety of healthcare settings. The program benefits from world-renowned faculty and has been ranked among the best nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.

• 24-Month program
• 126 total credit hours
• Full-time enrollment
• Starts summer
• Prerequisite courses required
• Interprofessional collaborative learning
• Includes simulation and direct patient care
• Optional honors seminars available
• Multiple pathway options

The University of Colorado College of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through multiple pathways, including a traditional 24-month program and a 12-month accelerated option for students with a prior bachelor's degree. Both pathways deliver a rigorous curriculum covering health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, pediatrics, obstetrics, and population health. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical simulation and direct patient care in diverse settings. The program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care. Graduates are prepared to work as generalist nurses in hospitals, clinics, community health, and other healthcare settings. The college is consistently ranked among the top nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report. With a focus on compassion, safety, and quality, the BSN program equips students to meet the evolving needs of healthcare. Students benefit from world-renowned faculty and a supportive learning environment at CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.

• 12-Month program
• 126 total credit hours
• Full-time enrollment
• Starts spring/fall
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Designed for previous bachelor's degree holders
• Same curriculum as Traditional BSN
• Interprofessional collaboration across health disciplines
• Clinical simulation and direct patient care

The CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway is a selective 3+2 program for Colorado residents, combining three years of prerequisite coursework at CU Denver with two years of nursing studies at the Anschutz Medical Campus. This track leads directly to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the state's top-ranked nursing program. Students benefit from personalized advising, the chance to earn a health-related certificate, and early admission to CU Nursing's Traditional BSN. The curriculum covers nursing fundamentals, clinical skills, and prepares graduates for NCLEX licensure and careers as registered nurses in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. With small cohorts and a holistic review process, the program emphasizes academic excellence and community service.

• 2-Year program
• Apply by 2026-03-01
• Starts summer
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prepares for NCLEX
• 3+2 pathway to BSN
• 20 students per admission term
• Personalized advising provided
• Earn health-related certificate

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Traditional Nursing Option (TNO) is a four-term, on-campus bachelor’s program for students seeking their first or second bachelor’s degree. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences in hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient facilities, totaling at least 750 hours. Students learn from expert faculty and benefit from a cohort model that fosters collaboration. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue careers as registered nurses in diverse healthcare settings. With fall and spring start dates, free nursing application, and support services like pre-nursing advising, the program is designed to help students succeed. Same tuition for all students, and early admissions for military and international students.

• Entrance exam required
• $40,614 total program tuition
• Apply by 2026-09-01
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• Cohort-based structure
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• 750 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• $0 application fee

Denver College of Nursing's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is your fast track into registered nursing. You can finish in as little as 18 months, with classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience built into every step. You'll study pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, and childbearing family care, then finish with a leadership capstone that eases your transition into practice. Graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and the school reports strong pass rates. Career placement support, a work/study option, and a seamless RN to BSN bridge make this a smart choice for career changers and working adults who want an accelerated, supportive path into healthcare.

• 18-Month program
• 110 total credit hours
• 85% licensure pass rate
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Employer reimbursement supported
• Financial aid available
• One of largest nursing graduate providers in Colorado