Colorado Accelerated BSN Programs

With the wide variety of jobs available for nurses in Colorado, it’s no surprise that accelerated BSN programs are rapidly gaining popularity in this state. If you’re interested in becoming a nurse and you already have a Bachelor’s degree, good news—you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as little as 15 months through an accelerated BSN program in Colorado.

These programs prepare you to provide safe and effective nursing care in a variety of settings, and build upon the degree you already have. An accelerated or fast track BSN program is a great way to enter the nursing profession as a Registered Nurse, and can be a stepping stone to advanced practice as well.

To learn more about Second Degree BSN programs, simply request information from the schools on this page. Our featured schools offer programs with online and distance learning elements, allowing you to earn your degree with more flexibility than you may have imagined. Submit a request for information today, to learn more about how you can make nursing a part of your future.

Accelerated BSN Curriculum in Colorado

There are many accelerated BSN programs in Colorado. You can choose between a full-time day program that requires you to attend in-person lectures or an online program that allows you to learn and complete your coursework on your own time. The latter may be a better option for you if you work full-time or need to fit your coursework around your work schedule.

Depending on which school you attend, you may be able to earn your BSN in as little as 12 months. Other programs go as long as 18 months. Since you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you likely already have many of the prerequisite courses in English, humanities, and other general education completed. Once your prerequisites are completed, you will begin your coursework in nursing.

While specific course names and subjects may vary slightly between programs, accelerated BSN programs include courses in the following areas:

• Pharmacology
• Basic Nursing Assessment and Care Planning
• Evidence Based Practice in Nursing
• Nursing Care of Childbearing Families
• Pediatric Nursing
• Advanced Health Assessment

The variety of classes you take are intended to prepare you to practice nursing in a variety of different settings. While you can learn a great deal from in class methods, one of the most essential aspects of your nursing education will be your hands-on learning, where you can apply nursing theory to real world situations.

Towards the end of your nursing program, you will go through your clinical rotations. These rotations are designed to give you experience in many different fields of nursing. You’ll have to demonstrate your competence in the various tasks that you learned in your nursing courses. These clinical rotations provide a wealth of experience and information, and also help many nurses find the field that they want to work in.

Career Outlook for Registered Nurses in Colorado

The need for registered nurses is rapidly growing in Colorado. O*Net expects there to be a 16% increase in open nursing positions by 2024, an increase far larger than the national average.

As an RN in Colorado you can earn a median salary of $68,450, with some RNs earning up to $102,990 per year (O*Net, 2017), based on experience, practice setting, and educational level. As a Baccalaureate prepared nurse, you may be able to position yourself well within this earning bracket.

With such a growing need for nurses, you can apply to work in many different nursing environments. Some of the largest types of employers in Colorado include hospitals, private clinics, and community clinics. Big employers in Colorado include Angels Care Home Health, Highlands Behavioral Health, High Point Treatment Center, and Colorado Acute Long Term Hospital.

Licensing Considerations in Colorado

After graduating from an accredited accelerated BSN program, you are allowed to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. If you successfully pass that exam, you can get your license from the Colorado Board of Nursing. It is important to note that in 2013, the Colorado Board of Nursing has gone paperless in their NCLEX paperwork. Your Authorization to Test letter, handouts, and registration forms will only be available electronically.

As a Registered Nurse in Colorado, you can also practice in certain other states. Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which means that you can use your Colorado nursing degree to practice in states like Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Texas. Unlike many other states, Colorado does not have continuing education requirements for nurses.

After becoming licensed as a nurse in Colorado, you may elect to join the Colorado Nurses Association, which allows you to keep up with nursing legislation, work on your leadership skills in the nursing field, and gain access to a variety of nursing publications. State nursing associations are also great places to network with other professionals, expanding the reach and voice of nursing throughout the state, and ultimately, the nation.

To learn more about your Fast Track BSN options, simply request information from the schools on our page, keeping in mind that those featured may offer you the fastest and most flexible route to becoming an RN.