Best LPN Programs in Aurora 2026
Explore Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Aurora, Colorado with details on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Aurora area.
Aurora LPN Program Overview
Aurora’s growing healthcare sector relies on Licensed Practical Nurses to deliver foundational bedside care, support chronic disease management, and coordinate with registered nurses and providers across hospitals, long term care, and community settings. LPNs are essential members of care teams, monitoring patients, administering medications within scope, documenting care, and educating patients and families.
- Local care settings:Aurora is home to major institutions such as University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus, as well as the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. Numerous skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, primary and specialty clinics, and home health agencies serve the city and the broader Denver metro area, creating a diverse mix of clinical environments where LPNs work.
- Employment outlook:Federal labor data indicate steady national demand for LPNs, with opportunities concentrated in nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, physician offices, and home health. In Aurora and the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood metro, the presence of large health systems, aging population needs, and expanding outpatient services contribute to consistent hiring for practical nursing roles.
- Program timelines:Practical nursing programs in the Aurora area typically offer two pacing options. Full-time cohorts generally run about 12 months from start to finish, while part-time or evening tracks commonly extend to approximately 18 to 24 months. Curricula blend classroom instruction with supervised clinical rotations in local facilities to build readiness for entry-level practice.
- Licensure and the NCLEX-PN:To become licensed in Colorado, candidates must graduate from a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. Licensure, scope of practice, and program approval are overseen by the Colorado Board of Nursing, which also provides guidance on background checks, application procedures, and Colorado’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Prospective students in Aurora can expect LPN education to emphasize safe medication administration, patient assessment appropriate to LPN scope, clinical judgment, and professional standards, all aligned with competencies needed to succeed on the NCLEX-PN and transition into direct patient care roles across the city’s hospitals, long term care communities, clinics, and home health providers.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Aurora
The healthcare employment landscape for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Aurora, Colorado, demonstrates a consistent demand across a variety of facility types. In Colorado, the term “Licensed Practical Nurse” is predominantly used. LPNs in the state earn an average annual salary of approximately $61,710, which translates to about $29.67 per hour. This figure is 3.31% higher than the national average. When adjusted for the cost of living, which is 2.6% higher in Colorado than the national average, LPNs earn around $60,146 annually. The job growth for LPNs in Colorado is projected at 14.8% through 2032, indicating a positive outlook for future employment.
LPNs in Aurora find opportunities in diverse healthcare settings, contributing significantly to patient care:
- Hospitals:Major hospital systems, such as the HCA HealthONE network, actively recruit LPNs for positions within their acute care facilities in Aurora. In these settings, LPNs typically work under the supervision of physicians and Registered Nurses.
- Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers:Facilities focusing on long-term care and rehabilitation, like Aviva at Fitzsimons, regularly hire LPNs for both full-time and part-time roles. These positions often require a strong understanding of state and federal regulations governing skilled nursing care.
- Senior Living Facilities:Aurora is home to numerous assisted living and memory care communities that employ LPNs, often in roles such as Wellness Nurses, focusing on the overall health and well-being of residents. Employers in this sector include companies like Cogir Management, USA Inc. and Kisco Senior Living.
- Home Health Agencies:Home health care is a prominent sector for LPN employment in Aurora, offering one-on-one patient care. Agencies such as Aveanna Healthcare, Maxim Healthcare, Amazing Care Home Health Services, InnovAge, and LHC Group hire LPNs for private duty nursing and in-home services for both pediatric and adult patients. These roles involve medication administration, treatment delivery, and continuous patient monitoring in their homes.
- Other Facilities:LPNs also have opportunities in specialized settings, including plasma donation centers like BioLife Plasma Services (a Takeda company), where they perform medical support duties. Positions may also be available in detox and residential treatment facilities, as well as remote LPN roles for chronic care management and patient monitoring programs.
Several major healthcare providers and networks are recognized for hiring LPNs in the Aurora area, offering a range of employment options:
- HCA HealthONE
- Aveanna Healthcare
- InnovAge
- Maxim Healthcare
- Amazing Care Home Health Services
- BioLife Plasma Services (a Takeda company)
- Aviva at Fitzsimons (Vivage/Beecan)
- Ansible Government Solutions, LLC, which supports the Eastern Colorado VA Healthcare System in Aurora.
The Colorado Board of Nursing oversees more than 110,000 licensees, including LPNs. LPNs are required to renew their licenses every two years, which includes completing 24 hours of continuing education.
List of LPN Programs in Aurora, CO
Aurora, CO
Concorde Career College-Aurora
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Website
- 10-month program duration
- 35.5 credit hours
- 120 lab hours
- 405 clinical hours
- Campus-based learning
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation
- IV skills certification
- Approved by Colorado State Board of Nursing
Pickens Technical College
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- One-year program duration
- Campus-based learning
- Hands-on clinical experience
- Simulated medical environment training
- Entry-level salary $47,000
- ACEN accredited
- Credits transferable in Colorado
- Covers patient care basics
Pima Medical Institute-Aurora
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Website
- 12-month program length.
- On-campus delivery method.
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
- Hands-on patient care training.
- Comprehensive anatomy and pharmacology.
- Financial aid available.
- Eligible for state licensure.
- Focus on real-world experience.