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If you’ve been wondering long where to go for a successful LPN career, you should definitely think to take a trip over Colorado.
You may wonder why?
Well, the state is not made of just hills and buildings.
There’s definitely made of more opportunities.
First, you can get there a job right after graduation.
And second, the programs you may attend are quite short in duration.
And what is better than having something done fast and best!
In fact, you would not believe these glad tidings if it were not for the proofs that exist.
Thus, the Bureau Labor of Statistics in Colorado has done research about LPN employment there.
And it has so far projected a 12% growth of employment in the filed by the year 2026.
This demand at work is a result of the lack of nurses there.
So aspiring LPNs are encouraged to seek a career path as soon as possible.
If you’re one of these, you may be interested in the salary too.
As a LPN in this state, you will earn $22.85 per hour of work.
$47,530 is given per year.
And the two of them together make $3,500 more money per year, compared to the national average in US.
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Details on Colorado LPN Schools & Classes
Becoming a LPN in Colorado is a matter of procedures.
First, you need to find an approved program by the state and graduate from it in a timeframe.
After that, the NCLEX-PN exam awaits you.
As soon as you are done with that, you’re ready to enter the workforce.
However, you have to find LPN programs first.
And you can find them across the state in community Colleges, technical schools and similar.
The school you choose to attend your program offers various LPN courses. From the actual curriculum, however, you may find the following ones:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Human Growth and Development
- Obstetrics/Pediatrics
- Pharmacology Calculations
Accreditation
Accreditation is not something you’re in charge of when you look for a school.
But you have to find a school that is previously accredited by certain organizations.
In Colorado, two organizations are in charge of it.
The first is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
This is the most reputable one to accredit a school since it works to high standards.
The second is always regional accreditation where you can head at.
Additionally, you may check the Colorado Board of Nursing.
The Board will help you if you want to check whether the program is state-approved and endorsed as well.
Admission Requirements
Most of the admission requirements in Colorado are already set by the school.
They change in accordance with the school’s choice.
In general, they ask for attaching these documents when applying for an LPN program:
- Valid high school diploma or GED
- Proof of current CNA certification may be required
- A minimum score on TEAS aptitude test
- Completion of any and all prerequisite courses
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Tuition and Costs
LPN education is quite affordable in Colorado.
If you attend a program there, as a student you have to pay for tuition, mandatory fees and other materials needed for the courses.
However, if you happen to be of those who cannot afford the payment at all, you can benefit from the school.
The school will usually offer financial aid, student loans, and scholarships.
Anyway, if you need to know how much does an LPN program cost in this state, consider Emily Griffith Technical College.
Its total cost for a program is $10,213.
Colorado LPN Licensing Requirements
Similar to other US states, in Colorado, you will get an LPN license by completing an approved program by the Board, and passing the NCLEC-PN exam as well.
Background checks and other paperwork may be needed when you send the application.
In addition, the prospective nurse may be asked to undergo a few physical activities as part of practical nursing.
The activities may include lifting patients at 100lbs and standing long on their feet.
Another thing you have to be aware of the license expiration date.
LPN licenses in Colorado expire in two years.
But that’s not a problem since you can make a renewal.
For renewal, the nurse has to make 20 hours of continued education every two years.
NCLEX Exam Information
As the graduation takes place, the LPN students must sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and pass it.
The exam contains 100 questions related to nursing.
However, for many students exams are still a big deal.
So for students who do not feel ready to enter the exam, it is possible to take the practical NCLEX-PN exam before the final one.
This way, he or she has more chances to pass it with good scores.
LPN Reciprocity and eNLC
Colorado is one of the US states that is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
As such, other nurses from other states can make their LPN practice within their borders without having to get another license.
In this compact, 24 four states are a participant.
On January 2018, the ENLC has been decided to start functioning.
The compact creates the growth of care and extra protective measures.
Therefore, nurses who belong to the NLC will turn into the ENLC one.
The Best LPN Schools in Colorado
There are 7 LPN programs across Colorado.
But surely, there are more schools than programs.
However, you need to make a mixture of both the right school and the right program to succeed.
School Name Address Colorado Mesa University 1100 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501 Concorde Career College 111 Havana St, Aurora, CO 80010 Emily Griffith Technical College 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203 1860 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203 500 N Airport Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011 Pima Medical Institute 13750 E. Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, CO 80012 Pueblo Community College Southwest 33057 US-160, Mancos, CO 81328 Technical College of the Rockies 1765 US Highway 50, Delta, CO 81416
LPN Salaries in Colorado
LPN salaries in Colorado differ from the location.
But they also differ from other factors such as work experience, education, and skills.
So basically, the more qualified, the better the salary you will get.
That’s certain.
Annual Salary Range:Location Avg. Annual Salary Denver $49,397 Colorado Springs $48,616 Aurora $49,365 Lakewood $48,725 Fort Collins $47,551 Arvada $49,397 Pueblo $45,299 Westminster $49,397 Boulder $50,115 Thornton $49,397 Regional Salary in Colorado
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Boulder, CO 370 $68,500 $32.93 $83,200 $56,070 Colorado Springs, CO 690 $63,490 $30.52 $75,030 $50,680 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 2,630 $66,430 $31.94 $77,530 $53,420 Fort Collins, CO 310 $62,610 $30.1 $73,010 $49,710 Grand Junction, CO 180 $60,870 $29.27 $72,380 $48,360 Greeley, CO 130 $64,220 $30.88 $76,180 $49,910 Pueblo, CO 250 $63,000 $30.29 $79,040 $40,940
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
LPN Programs by State