Need help with a nursing school in CO

kc ccurn · Apr 6, 2004

The colorado state board of nursing web site has a link to colorado nursing schools and lists their pass rate, if they offer BSN vs ADN, etc. Transitioning from LPN to RN later may not necessarily be the fastest route.

Hope it helps.

webbiedebbie · Apr 6, 2004

Hi...I used to live in Broomfield! I went to Front Range Community College in Westminster for my ADN. I don't remember a waiting list back then (in the 80's)...that could be different now. I loved their program! Lots of clinical time and second semester we could choose between day and evening shift. We did clinicals in a lot of different hospitals, which I thought was cool! After completing the first year, we could sit for LPN boards, and so I worked part-time during my second year as an LPN. This, I think, tremendously helped me pass boards for RN!

I even made a scrap book of my school years, classmates, and different facilities that we did clinical at.

I live in North Carolina now, but you are making me homesick.

layla1 · Apr 10, 2004

I have lived in Florida all of my life except for 5 years that I lived in Colorado (Denver-Broomfield areas) and loved it there. I returned here in 1996 with my now ex and I am strongly considering moving back there with my 2 children.
I have been trying to get into a nursing school here in Florida but all of them have at least a 2-3 year waiting list.
The information I am looking for is, What are the best nursing schools in CO and what type of a waiting list do they have?
I am a single mom so I am trying to go the fastest route which would be to get my LPN first and then transistion to RN later.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JMac1229

Hi,

Front Range Community College (many community colleges, actually) offers ADN, LPN, and 2-year RN programs. However, the wait is also 2+ years right now. The University of Northern Colorado and the University of Denver both offer BSN programs. Universities will accept applicants based on points for prior GPA, professional and personal background, personal essays and interviews. Less then 40% of the applicants for the 2004 starting date were accepted. I know this because I applied to UNC. We were quoted this statistic by the head of the UNC Nursing School at our acceptance meeting. Phoenix university offers RN programs at an exorbitant price, I'm not sure if the waiting list applies as many classes are offered on-line. If you have a bachelor's degree, you will be eligible for accelerated programs which offer a BSN in 18 months. Many nursing homes will hire and train through CNA, LPN and RN education assistance programs.

I hope this helps and doesn't discourage. Good Luck

lilshamrock · Apr 12, 2004

Im currently waitlisted at 508 at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton. So it will take me about 5 yrs to get in to the RN program just to get my associates degree. From what I've heard most schools in the metro area have a waiting list that long unless you go to a private school such as Regis (where you have to fork out 20k a year). Most colleges that are two year schools allow students to get their LPN first just incase they are unable to compete the full two year or if they wish not to get their RN degree. As for which school is the best...well I can't help you there. I know I am happy at where I am at, and I feel I have thus far recieved the best education I could possible get. I have spent big bucks at other 4 yr colleges and I feel I got a better education at ACC. Like someone else mentioned it would probably in your best interest to find a place to pay for your education if you are unable to attend full time and wait to get in or pay to go to a private school. ACC has a 98% graduation rate for nursing students. Good luck and I hope that was helpfull!

mannie · Jun 2, 2004

Hi,

I attend Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colorado. They also have a 2 year wait list. But during that 2 years there's classes you have to take before entering the program. So it works out great. If you get your pre-req classes out of the way and theres an opening into the program you can sometimes get in within a year. Somethings to know before picking a school is the percentage needed to pass courses. At FRCC it's a 75% which is a C, anything under that is a D. At other schools I heard it's 78%-80%.

micco · Jun 3, 2004

Pueblo Community Colleg (Pueblo and Fremont campuses) do not have waiting lists. I don't think CSU in Pueblo does either. CSU starts clinicals in January. if you have all your prereq done, you might be able to start in Jan. There are more opportunities but not in the Denver area (from what it looks like).

Lystie · Aug 1, 2004

Hi,

You said that ACC (I am assuming that is Aurora Community College?) has a 98% graduation rate for nursing students? Does that mean students that are going to pursue nursing after they graduate, or does it mean they have completed their nursing courses? I am very interested in going to a nursing school at community college and am very open to any suggestions if anyone has any community colleges in mind. Thanks.

Lystie:rolleyes:

tbtc1234 · Aug 2, 2004

I just spoke with an advisor at ACC, the RN program is 2 - 2.5 yrs waiting list. I called CCD, same with them but no waiting list for the CNA. Also, I believe it was Front Range that told me they had a 3 - 3.5 yr waiting list. I got info from CU colorado springs for the BSN program and they said they are not accepting transfer applicants at this time. Also, I read that for CSU in Greeley you must be a CNA. Anyone know anything about this? Both Regis and CU Denver are saying it is going to be super competitive to get in. :uhoh3: I'm starting to think it would be easier/quicker to get into medical school! :rotfl: Sorry - I don't mean to discourage you, it seems like it is tough to get in anywhere! The funny thing is, I was looking for schools in Florida to send apps to in case I didn't get in here. Ha!

susnam · Aug 19, 2004

I just spoke with an advisor at ACC, the RN program is 2 - 2.5 yrs waiting list. I called CCD, same with them but no waiting list for the CNA. Also, I believe it was Front Range that told me they had a 3 - 3.5 yr waiting list. I got info from CU colorado springs for the BSN program and they said they are not accepting transfer applicants at this time. Also, I read that for CSU in Greeley you must be a CNA. Anyone know anything about this? Both Regis and CU Denver are saying it is going to be super competitive to get in. I'm starting to think it would be easier/quicker to get into medical school! :rotfl: Sorry - I don't mean to discourage you, it seems like it is tough to get in anywhere! The funny thing is, I was looking for schools in Florida to send apps to in case I didn't get in here. Ha!

A new school that probably doesn't have much of a waiting list is the Denver School of Nursing. http://www.denverschoolofnursing.org/

Emily Griffith is a very good LPN school. I have friends that graduated from there and they have gone on to get RN's and BSN's, one even an MSN. So, no worries about getting your LPN from there and then moving on.

http://www.egos-school.com/Catalog/prog_view.asp?pid=1042

Another school that has a great reputation is Pickens. Last I heard, there was only a 3-6 month wait list and you can still take classes while on the wait list. http://www.pickenstech.org/Programs...al.nursing.html They have an LPN program and the students love it, do well, and go on to get good jobs and have a good success rate in passing NCLEX. I don't know anything about the wait list.

Another nursing school is through University of Colorado, CU. No wait list; they only take "the best".

http://www.cu.edu

Aims Community College has both a Practical Nursing and RN program. Their website is:

http://www.aims.edu/academics/healt...cc_index.htm#rn

Pikes Peak Community College has both Practical Nursing and RN program. Their website:

http://www.ppcc.edu/CatalogSchedule...fm?Program=Nusp

Regis University offers RN only. http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=apg&p1=ut&p2=nr

Good luck!

Susan

registeredusername · Sep 26, 2007

Did you apply to the UNC recently? It is the most frustration to have wait for any of the Nursing School anywhere in Colorado. Their waiting list is at least 2+ years. I think UNC expect too much of students because they are so GPA driven facility. How was your experience in UNC? Could you spare a moment of your time to say about the UNC? I have applied there GPA should be average to 3.8 as the nursing counselor claimed students of nursing at UNC

Thank you for any of your input as they will matter to me.

\\

graceomalleyRN, RN · Sep 26, 2007

Hi,
Front Range Community College (many community colleges, actually) offers ADN, LPN, and 2-year RN programs. However, the wait is also 2+ years right now. The University of Northern Colorado and the University of Denver both offer BSN programs. /quote]
I think what Layla meant to say was that University of Northern Colorado and University of COLORADO at Denver have BSN programs. DU has no nursing program.
Another excellent BSN program is Regis University which I attend. It's extremely expensive but they are very generous with loans and grants.
There is another school, Platt College, which also offers a BSN. The problem with them is that they are only accredited as a Vocational/Technical College, not as a Collegiate institution. This means you can still sit for the NCLEX but neither CU nor Regis will accept your degree from Platt if you want to go on to get a Master's degree. Further, Platt is not currently accredited by either CCNE or NLN...which means you are excluded from employers such as The Children's Hospital (I called and spoke to the head of student clinicals there), the US Armed Forces and others that require you have a BSN accredited by CCNE or NLN.
I almost went the Associate's route but here in the Denver Metro area I could finish my degree and work to pay off what loans I have in the time it would take me to even BEGIN a Associate's. So it didn't make sense for me to do that here. Back in the Tampa, Florida area where I lived for 9 years coincidentally I might've considered alternate routes such as an Associate's.
Keep investigating and don't give up your dream. It can be done!! Feel free to PM me if you need more info about the schools here. Believe me I've done my homework on that front. :)