Olivia Chen, NP
June 19, 2025
RN to BSN programs serve registered nurses (RNs) who hold associate degrees or nursing diplomas to gain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The value of BSN-prepared nurses in Colorado continues to rise because they improve patient care outcomes while advancing to leadership positions within healthcare settings. Multiple hospitals throughout Colorado now require or strongly prefer their registered nurse workforce to hold a BSN degree because several medical facilities provide financial benefits to BSN graduates. The BSN education provides nurses with advanced capabilities which allow them to handle intricate health issues and lead public health programs. The healthcare industry in Colorado depends on BSN-prepared nurses to address staffing shortages because these nurses receive superior job opportunities throughout urban and rural areas.
Denver, CO - Public 4-Year - ucdenver.edu
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The University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus offers a top-ranked RN to BS in Nursing program, available online for flexibility. This program emphasizes evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, and hands-on clinical training through simulations and patient care. It prepares nurses to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care with a focus on health equity and safety. Completion can be achieved in 12-24 months, and no entrance exams like ACT or SAT are required, as it's designed for RNs advancing their education. The program is military-friendly and features nationally recognized faculty.
Greeley, CO - Public 4-Year - unco.edu
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The University of Northern Colorado's RN-to-BSN online program is tailored for registered nurses seeking career advancement without entrance exams like ACT or SAT. This 20-month, fully online curriculum requires 30 credits at $350 per credit, emphasizing flexibility for working professionals. It includes 180 practicum hours and prepares graduates for roles in healthcare management and specialized nursing, with a minimum 2.5 GPA and current RN license required. Accredited by CCNE, it's available nationwide and military-friendly.
Trinidad, CO - Public 4-Year - trinidadstate.edu
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Trinidad State College's online RN-BSN program offers a flexible and affordable pathway for registered nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It features a 100% online format with personalized support from a nursing coach, allowing students to complete practicum hours locally. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice, leadership, critical thinking, and quality improvement, with up to 89.5 transfer credits accepted. Accredited by CCNE, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, making it accessible for working professionals. Tuition is affordable, including out-of-state parity, with full or part-time options available.
Colorado Springs, CO - Public 4-Year - uccs.edu
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The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers an online RN to BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking career advancement. This flexible, self-paced program allows students to study part-time with 8-week course increments, ideal for working professionals. Requiring 126 credits, admission includes a 2.5 GPA and an active RN license, with no ACT or SAT exam needed. CCNE accredited, it emphasizes leadership in primary and community health care, providing nationwide accessibility and strategic educational opportunities.
Glenwood Springs, CO - Public 4-Year - coloradomtn.edu
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Colorado Mountain College's RN to BSN online program is tailored for registered nurses with associate degrees, offering a flexible and affordable path to career advancement. With tuition as low as $135 per credit hour and a 100% job placement rate, it emphasizes community health, leadership, and evidence-based practice. The fully online format allows students to balance studies with work schedules, and no ACT or SAT is required for this bachelor's-level program, accredited by ACEN.
The state of Colorado provides multiple online RN to BSN programs which enable working nurses to pursue their education with flexibility. RNs can use online programs to finish their coursework from any location because these programs suit students with busy schedules and those living outside urban areas. The programs use a hybrid educational model which blends online learning with essential clinical practice sessions conducted in person. The educational programs have two delivery options which include fully virtual courses as well as online classes with no on-campus requirements. The curriculum structure of these programs includes accelerated course formats to help students finish their studies within a shorter period.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Colorado |
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| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
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| Morgan Community College |
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| Certifying Board | Colorado Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Certification | BSN from an approved Colorado program, NCLEX‑RN pass, affidavit of eligibility, and fingerprint-based background check |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal, licenses expire September 30 of odd or even years, based on original issuance |
| Continuing Education | Not required for RNs/LPNs, APRNs must maintain national certification and complete any DEA prescriptive‐authority training |
| License Application Fee | $88 application, $200 NCLEX exam, and $51 fingerprint processing |
| Clinical Hours | Verified via official transcripts documenting all required didactic and clinical practicum hours |
| Application Processing Time | Reviewed monthly by the Board (approximately three weeks), with license issued within 14 days of final approval |
| License by Endorsement | $43 application, $30 verification, and $51 fingerprint fees, submit active‑license verification, transcripts, and residency affidavit. |
Nurses who possess a BSN degree in Colorado receive salaries which match the professional standards of their field. Colorado BSN prepared RNs are paid well above national norms receiving between $70,000-$100,000 annually depending on the level of experience, location of employment, job title, and specialization in nursing. Higher nursing salaries in Denver metro can be attributed largely to a higher cost of living, but also to increased demand for healthcare. The nursing industry in Colorado has a highly favorable job outlook as the state currently is experiencing a critical shortage of nursing professionals due to an expanding population, as well as retiring nurses. The greatest need for BSN-prepared nurses exists in critical care, pediatric, and geriatric settings.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Colorado | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual BSN Salary | $85,000 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $40.87 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$105,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $85,000 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$58,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 14% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~900 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Trinidad State College |
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| Morgan Community College |
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| Colorado State University Pueblo |
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The BSN degree creates multiple career progression possibilities for nursing professionals working in Colorado. The BSN qualification enables nurses to access better-paid and more complex roles including charge nurse, nurse manager and nursing educator positions. The higher positions in these roles demand team management along with care plan development and patient outcome supervision. BSN-prepared nurses who want to become advanced practice professionals must pursue education beyond their BSN level to become Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) or Nurse Midwives (CNMs. Many nurses who finish their BSN go on to earn advanced degrees which grant them more responsibilities along with higher compensation. The BSN provides nurses with the eligibility to take leadership roles in hospitals and public health organizations and nonprofit entities where they can shape healthcare policies and patient care approaches. Through BSN education nurses in Colorado can access various professional development options leading to career growth.
Additional Nursing Programs in Colorado
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