LPN to RN Programs Denver, CO

Licensed Practical Nursing provides quick entry into the profession of nursing as well as an opportunity to gain some experience as a nurse. The one-year practical nursing program covers basic knowledge and skills required to provide direct care under the supervision of a registered nurse. If you’re desirous of a more active role in patient care, you’ll need additional knowledge and skills provided in a registered nursing program. Your experience and education as a licensed practical nurse can give you an advanced standing to complete a registered nursing program in 12 to 18 months. The program will include theoretical as well as practical learning experiences at local healthcare facilities. At the conclusion of the training, you will be eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.

Denver College of Nursing

Licensed practical nursing who meet the prerequisite requirements may apply for admission to the ADN completion program at Denver College of Nursing. The curriculum will cover core nursing courses, which will include both the didactic and clinical components that build on the foundation of general education courses transferred from other accredited institutions. Graduates will be prepared to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. They will apply clinical competencies in the delivery of patient-centered care, communicate effectively and collaborate with patients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary health care team, use effective decision-making skills to manage and coordinate nursing care, take accountability for ethical, legal and professional responsibilities, and care for diverse and vulnerable populations through the application of nursing theory and research.

Program Outline

Quarter credits: 110 (including 24 transferred credits)

Duration: 18 months (6 quarters)

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses (transferred) – Anatomy and Physiology with lab, Intro to Algebra, English Composition, Human Growth and Development

Core courses – Pathophysiology, Basic Nutrition, Basic Health Assessment (with Lab), Differentiated Practice, Foundations of Nursing Arts and Skills (with Lab and Clinical), Basic Pharmacology Concepts & Calculations (with Lab), Concepts of Gerontological Nursing, Basic Medical Surgical Concepts (with Clinical), Basic IV Therapy (with Lab), Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts (with Lab and Clinical), Nursing Concepts for the Multigenerational Childbearing Family, Childbearing Family and Children Clinical, Nursing Concepts of Children, Nursing Concepts in Mental Health (with Clinical), RN Leadership and Capstone Clinical

Admission criteria:

• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better (a grade of C or better) on the prerequisite courses – courses must be completed before the program start date
• Submit a typewritten personal statement (one page) addressing professional goals, healthcare related work background, and volunteer experience
• Pass a drug screen and criminal background check – must be completed 5 weeks before the program start date
• Complete the immunization requirements and the Fit for Practice form
• Attend an admissions interview
• Must be able to meet all the requirements for licensure and the physical, psychological and emotional standards established by the State Board of Nursing
• Must have the ability to become certified in CPR
• Take and pass the entrance exam – Obtain 75% HESI A2 English Composite Subscale and Math Subscale. Applicants who have already graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college are exempt.

Program Cost

The total program cost of $44,095 includes tuition, application fee, books, scrubs, nursing kits, IT fee, clinical fee, assessment testing, sim lab fee, and graduation fee.

• Website: https://www.denvercollegeofnursing.edu/
• Address: 1401 19th Street, Denver, CO 80202
• Phone: 1 800-600-6604
• Fax: 720-974-0290
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 85.71%

Aims Community College

Aims Community College is open to licensed practical nurses seeking to take the next step on the career ladder to become a registered nurse. The nursing program leads to an associate degree in nursing. It covers scientific as well as practical hands-on skills needed to function as a registered nurse. Students will learn in the classroom setting and will apply the theoretical concepts in the school’s modern lab. Practice sessions will support the development of critical thinking skills, patient care skills, communication, and multi-tasking. During the internship, students will learn the ethical standards of nursing and develop effective communication skills to relate to patients and family members. Graduates will have the confidence to pass NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 69.5

Duration: 5 semesters

Course titles:

General education courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, English Composition I, Dietary Nutrition, Intro to Statistics

Core courses – Microbiology with Lab, Fundamentals of Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pharmacology, Human Growth and Development, Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts, Maternal Child Nursing, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Humanities or Social Science Course

Admission criteria:

• Complete the prerequisite classes including human anatomy and human nutrition
• Review the Aims Nursing Degree Admission Standards and attend an optional in-person information session
• Complete the HESI requirement – Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Math and meet the minimum cut score of 75% for each category
• Submit a completed application to the Aims Nursing Program Application before the published deadline
• Submit unofficial transcripts from all college/universities, including courses completed at Aims. Transcripts must demonstrate completion of BIO 201, BIO 202, ENG 121, MAT 134 and HPR 108 with a grade C or better
• Must have a current, non-restricted CNA licensure within the state. LPN applicants must have an active LPN license
• Complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen
• Submit immunization documents – COVID-19, MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Influenza
• Must have a valid BLS CPR card

Program Cost

Tuition costs $7,817 for in-district students and $12,532 for in-state students. The cost includes lab fees, course fees, and other fees.

• Website: https://www.aims.edu/
• Address: 5401 West 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80634
• Phone: 970-330-8008
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.88%

Arapahoe Community College

The LPN to ADN program option at Arapahoe Community College is open for students who possess a license as a practical nurse and wish to complete the ADN program. The program is available on an as-needed basis. Persons interested in this route must become familiar with the ADN degree requirements. ACC’s nursing programs are approved by the ACEN, the Colorado State Board of Nursing, and the Colorado Community College System. Students will benefit from high professional standards, the school’s superior reputation in the community and excellent rate of hire, high licensure exam pass rates, simulation experiences in state-of-the-art labs, seamless transition to the BSN degree, and active learning in the classroom, lab, and supervised clinical experiences. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX to become a registered nurse.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 71.5

Duration: 18 months

Course titles:

General education courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Microbiology, General College Microbiology, English Composition I, Human Growth and Development, Human Pathophysiology, Dietary Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Math for Clinical Calculations

Core courses – Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts, Fundamentals of Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pharmacology, Maternal Child Nursing, Advanced Concepts of M-S Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of M-S Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice

Admission criteria:

• Apply for admission to Arapahoe Community College and select “Health” as the area of interest and “Nursing (Pre-admitted Program) as the degree
• Provide documentation of completing high school or GED equivalent
• View a Nursing AAS Information Session
• Submit a completed Nursing Program Application by the published deadline
• Complete the prerequisites with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 – ENG 121, PSY 235, BIO 201, HPR 108
• Attend an information session
• Have a valid CNA certificate or LPN license in the State of Colorado
• Meet the minimum requirements on the HESI Nursing Entrance Exam – must score at least 70% on English Composite and 70% in Math to apply
• Submit documentation of immunization records – TB test, Hepatitis B, Tdap, influenza, MMR, Varicella, and COVID-19 are required upon acceptance
• Complete background check and drug screen
• Must submit a current BLS card
• Must provide proof of insurance after acceptance

Program Cost

Tuition costs $153.35 per credit or 2,475.90 per semester for Colorado residents with COF. Fees are not included. Students must also budget for books, uniforms, and nursing supplies.

• Website: https://www.arapahoe.edu/
• Address: 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
• Phone: 303-797-4222
• Email: admissions@arapahoe.edu

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.76%

Front Range Community College

The LPN-to-ADN degree pathway at Front Range Community College is an advanced placement option for students who hold a current license to practice as a practical nurse in Colorado. Interested persons must have worked at least one year full-time. The program is opne on an as-needed basis. Students will learn how to provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient centered care in various health care settings, implement measures to improve health care delivery, act as leaders in diverse settings and to diverse patient populations, work collaboratively with members of the interdisciplinary team, promote a culture of caring to provide holistic, compassionate, and culturally competent care, and demonstrate professional, legal, and ethical guidelines in practice. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN).

Program Outline

Semester credits: 71.5 to 73.5

Duration: 5 semesters

Course titles:

General education courses – ENG 121 or ENG 122, Human Growth and Development, Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, HPR 108 or HWE 100, Microbiology with Lab,

Core courses – Fundamentals of Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pharmacology, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Math for Clinical Calculations, Medical Surgical Nursing, Human Pathophysiology, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Pharmacology, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, AT-AH or GT-SS

Admission criteria:

• Submit a completed application by the published deadline for the Fall or Spring semester
• Complete the Pre-Registration Form to determine the need for academic assessment before registering
• Test into MAT 103 by scoring 61 or better on the Elementary Algebra Accuplacer Test, or an ACT math score of 19 or higher, or SAT math score of 500 or higher, or successful completion of a higher math course
• Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher – ENG 121, Human Growth and Development, Dietary Nutrition, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA or 3.0 on the prerequisite courses
• Complete the Transfer Credit Evaluation Form and have credits transferred before submitting an application to the nursing program – if courses were completed outside FRCC
• Take the HESI A-2 Entrance Exam and obtain a minimum cumulative score of 80%. The subject areas are Reading Comprehension, Math, Biology, and Chemistry.
• Submit a completed application to the Registered Nursing program and upload an unofficial FRCC transcript and HESI A-2 summary page

Program Cost

Tuition costs $247.35 per credit for regular resident students with COF and $153.35 with COF. Students will incur additional costs for textbooks, uniform, nursing kit, entrance exam, CPR certification, and health requirements.

• Website: https://www.frontrange.edu/
• Address: 3645 W. 112th Ave. Westminster, CO 80031
• Phone: (303) 404-5000

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.33%

Pikes Peak Community College

Pikes Peak Community College offers an advanced placement Associate Degree program for licensed practical nurse to prepare for practice as a registered nurse. Persons applying through this route must have completed an accredited practical nursing program within the USA and have a Colorado LPN license in good standing. Learning will begin in the classroom where students will acquire knowledge and nursing concepts that will enable them to meet the needs of vulnerable and culturally diverse populations. The scheduled activities in simulated nursing wards, seeks to build skills such as professionalism, communication, health illness continuum, nursing process, holistic care, teaching/learning, caring intervention, and leadership. The curriculum is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing (CSBON) and The National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Competencies of the Associate Degree Nurse. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit for the licensure exam.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 70.5

Duration: 4 semesters

Course titles:

Prerequisite courses – English Composition, Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, Human Growth and Development, Microbiology with Lab

Core courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Math for Clinical Calculations, Fundamentals of Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pharmacology, Human Pathophysiology, Medical and Surgical Nursing Concepts, Maternal Child Nursing, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Arts and Humanities or Social and Behavioral Science Pathways elective

Admission criteria:

• Must be 18 years of age or older when submitting an application to PPCC
• Submit a completed application for admission to PPCC
• Request copies of the official transcript to be sent to PPCC Records Office – from colleges attended other than PPCC
• Transcripts must verify completion of the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C and a combined GPA of 2.5 – English Composition, Human Growth and Development, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• Attend a Nursing Information Session and sign the Verification Form as proof of attendance.
• Complete the Nursing Assistant coursework with CCCS or hold active an active Colorado CNA certificate
• LPN applicants must have an active practical nursing license
• Take and pass the TEAS (version 6) at the PPCC Testing Center
• Submit a completed ADN application form before the published deadline
• Complete a satisfactory background investigation and drug screen
• Provide proof of required immunization

Program Cost

Resident tuition costs with $153.35 per credit hour with COF. Additional expenses for books, uniforms, health requirements, insurance, and background check must be covered by the student.

• Website: https://www.ppcc.edu/
• Address: 5675 S. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906 USA
• Phone: 719-502-2000
• Toll-Free: 866-411-PPCC (7722)
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.65%

Morgan Community College

Morgan Community College offers an LPN to RN Bridge program that is open to licensed practical nurses seeking to further their education to become a registered nurse. LPNs with an unencumbered practical nurse license in good standing in Colorado or a compact state will receive advanced standard and complete the second year of the ADN degree plan. Students will learn how to provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings, use critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make patient-centered care decisions, provide leadership in a variety of healthcare settings, and work collaboratively with members of the healthcare team. Program graduates will receive an Associate of Science in Nursing and will be eligible to apply for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.

Program Outline

Semester credits: 67.5

Duration: 5 semesters

Course titles:

General education courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, English Composition I, Pathophysiology, Dietary Nutrition, Human Growth and Development, Dietary Nutrition, Transition from LPN to ADN

Core courses – Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing I, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology II, Advanced Concepts of Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Arts and Humanities/Social and Behavioral Sciences

Admission criteria:

• Attend a Nursing Information Session
• Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5
• Apply for admission to the Nursing Program
• Must have an unencumbered license to practice as a practical nursing in Colorado or a compact state
• Pass a criminal background check and 10-panel drug screen
• Take and pass the Kaplan Nursing Admission test
• Provide proof of current immunization and influenza vaccination
• Have a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR card
• Must have student liability insurance

Program Cost

Tuition costs $247.35 per credit for resident students. Students will incur additional expenses for textbooks, uniforms, fees, liability insurance, nursing supplies, and CPR certification.

• Website: https://www.morgancc.edu/
• Address: 920 Barlow Rd. Fort Morgan, CO 80701
• Phone: (970) 542-3100
• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.61%