Top LPN Programs in Colorado

Colorado LPN Schools, License Requirements, Job Outlook, and Salary

The state of Colorado is dedicated to taking the health sector to a whole new level for fulfilling the health demands of the community as well as the individuals. It provides opportunities to the nursing aspirants to learn and grow as a self-independent professional. The LPN programs in Colorado provide high-quality education by using modern and latest teaching technologies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that there would be a significant increase in the jobs for the practical nurses in the upcoming years. The nursing school in which you are going to enroll should be approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing.

Though there are many LPN schools in Colorado, choosing the perfect one according to your preferences can be a tedious task. Thus, we have conducted an in-depth analysis of all the practical nursing colleges in the state of Colorado on the basis of the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) pass rate and prepared a list of the top nursing schools in Colorado. Have a look.

Accredited Nursing Schools in Colorado

OUR METHODOLOGY +

A nursing school ranks on the top according to the following criteria-

• Higher Passing Rate of Alumni in NCLEX
• Financial Aid that a school provides
• Higher number of students

The nursing schools were then included in the ranking on the basis of following factors-

• Well-developed Architecture
• Better Infrastructure
• Superior Technology
• Ranking in US News and World Report
• Teachings offered by world-class faculty
• Inclusion of world-class facilities
• World-class Opportunities

We hope that the list will help you to opt the best college as per your preferences in the state. The programs available in these colleges will give you an opportunity to begin your journey as a successful nurse.

Average Annual Salary of Practical Nurses in Colorado
Colorado LPN Licensing Requirements

Licensure by Examination:

If you have passed the NCLEX-PN examination and want to apply for the practical nursing licensure, then you can do so by availing the online licensure service provided by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. In order to apply for the online licensure, you would first need to register on the online web portal. You need to fulfill the following requisites:

• Register with Pearson Vue for the NCLEX-PN exam.
• Provide the proof of age.
• Submit the completely filled online application form.
• Submit a completely filled ‘Record of Conviction' form and fingerprints card.
• The applicant must have passed the NCLEX examination and might be required to provide the NCLEX-PN passing details.
• Submit an application fee of $88.
• Provide your Social Security Number and proof of affidavit of eligibility.

Note: Once you meet the skills and written test criteria and obtain the LPN license, your name will get enlisted in the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry.

Licensure by Endorsement:

The state of Colorado is a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2007; thus, it allows the nurses of another state to work without the need for a new license. If the applicant belongs to a non-compact state, then s/he can apply for an LPN licensure in the state of Colorado through endorsement. You are required to provide the following details-

• Verification of the original license is required whether the applicant is from NURSYS participating state or not.
• Proof of an active LPN license
• Completion of an approved refresher course and competency to practice course, in case, the applicant doesn't possess an active practical nursing license, or his/her license has been expired for more than two years.
• A completely filled application form
• A completely filled ‘Record of Conviction' form
• Endorsement fee of $43
• Completion of the affidavit of eligibility

For the online application for licensure by endorsement, click here.

Colorado State Practical Nursing License Renewal

Applicants can check the expiration status of their license online and can apply for the renewal prior the date of expiration. Keep the following information and proof handy to avoid any inconvenience while filling out the renewal application.

• License number
• A completely filled online application form
• A completely filled ‘Record of Conviction' form
• Completion of the affidavit of eligibility
• Social Security Number

In order to renew your license online, click here.

Reactivation of the Inactive LPN License

If your practical nursing license is in an inactive or retired volunteered status, then you can apply for the reactivation of your license. Basic requirements that you need to fulfill are as follows:

• Completion of an approved refresher and competency course, in case, the applicant doesn't possess an active practical nursing license, or his/her license has been expired for more than two years.

OR

Proof of active nursing practice in some other state, US territory, or federal facility during the past 2 years before filling the application form. Along with the form, you need to submit the following documents –

• • Verification of your active license or the license that has been expired. For this, you need to do the following –
    • Apply for NURSYS verification through NURSYS website if your state participates in it.

OR

• • If your state does not participate in NURSYS, then you need to request the verification of nursing license form.
• License number
• A reactivation fee of $111
• Information of current address, phone number, email, and other contact details
• A completely filled online application form along with all the supporting documents.
• A completely filled ‘Record of Conviction' form
• Completion of the affidavit of eligibility
• Completion of online healthcare profession profile at the official website
• Social Security Number

Note: You are required to apply for the reinstatement of the license if it is in the expired status.

For the offline reactivation application form, click here.

Reinstatement of the Expired LPN License

If your LPN license has been expired or if you are a Retired Volunteer Nurse of at least 55 years of age, then you can apply for the reinstatement of the license. Once you have applied for the reinstatement of the license, make sure to submit all the required documents and information within one year of the date of submission. After that, you would need to submit a new application. For those applicants who reside in the United States of America, Social Security Number and affidavit submission is required. Once submitted, you will be able to check the status of your application online and can print your license after approval. You might be asked to provide the following documents and information while applying for the reinstatement of the expired license-

• Submit any of these documents: driver's license, a government-issued ID card or passport with the number and the expiration date.
• An Active Status fee of $136 and Retired Volunteer Nurse Status fee of $20.
• A completely filled application form with your name, e-mail address, date of birth, telephone number, and license number.
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Provide documentation if you have undergone a name or address change.
• Maintain an online Healthcare Professions Profile.

Note: You are required to apply for the reactivation of the license if your license is in the inactive status.

Click here for the offline application for reinstatement of the licensure.

LPN License Verification

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) of the state of the Colorado makes the verification process of any license easy and accessible with its online license verification service. If you are a practical nurse and want to verify your license, then you have to select the type of your license (nursing) and provide the following information.

• Prefix and the number of your license.
• Other necessary information like name, business name, city, state, and zip code.

Average Annual Salary of Practical Nurses in Colorado

According to indeed.com, the average salary of licensed practical nurses in Colorado was $35,000 per annum (as of Sep 26, 2016). As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mean annual and hourly salaries of LPNs in Colorado were $47,530 and $22.85, respectively (as of May 2015).

Information Source: indeed.com (as of Sep 26, 2016)

As per the above statistics, the highest salary (i.e., $81,000) was of LVN LPN and the least salary (i.e., $24,000) was earned by the Nurse Pediatric Home Health.

Annual Average Salaries of LVNs in Various Cities of Colorado

Location	Salary
Arvada	$45,538
Aurora	$45,538
Broomfield	$45,538
Boulder	$46,484
Castle Rock	$41,041
Colorado Springs	$44,561
Denver	$45,538
Grand Junction	$41,078
Fort Collins	$42,758
Jefferson	$40,993
Greeley	$42,758
Pueblo	$41,181
Loveland	$42,758
Westminster	$45,538

Information Source: salary.com (as of August 29, 2016)

As per the analysis of the above table, the income of these professionals was maximum (i.e., $46,484) in Boulder and minimum (i.e., $40,993) in Jefferson.

Job Outlook

Licensed Practical Nurses usually work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or a Physician. The increasing average life expectancy and rising demand for effective health care have created a strong job outlook for LPNs in the state of Colorado. The home health companies and hospitals offer lucrative pay, educational benefits, flexible schedules, and other incentives to recruit new nurses and retain the existing ones.