Best LPN Programs in Denver 2026
Explore Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Denver, Colorado with details on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing steps and career opportunities for practical nurses in the Denver area.
2027 Best LPN Programs in Denver, CO
Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO - Public 4-Year - frontrange.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate
Campus Based - Visit Website
Front Range Community College delivers a Practical Nursing Certificate that takes just two semesters to complete while earning 43 credits. The ACEN-accredited program covers nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing, with hands-on training in advanced simulation labs and clinical placements at local health agencies. Students learn to conduct health assessments, provide patient care across the lifespan, and work alongside RNs and physicians. Graduates achieve a 95.24% NCLEX-PN pass rate and a 100% on-time completion rate, making them well-prepared for careers in long-term care, hospitals, clinics, home care, and private practices. Admission is competitive, so applying early is key. The program is housed at the Larimer Campus.
- ACEN accredited
- 2-Semester program
- 43 total credit hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- 95.24% NCLEX-PN pass rate
- 100% on-time completion rate
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Clinical partnerships with local agencies
- Careers in long-term care, clinics, hospitals
- Competitive admission process
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO - Public 4-Year - arapahoe.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate
Campus Based - Visit Website
Arapahoe Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is an alternative pathway for students already admitted to its registered nursing program, offering an early exit point toward LPN licensure. This campus-based, 47-credit program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and psychology. Core nursing coursework covers medical-surgical nursing, fundamentals, pharmacology, and maternal-child nursing, supplemented by a summer transition course (NUR 169) that bridges the gap between program levels. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN and pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Financial aid is available, and prospective students should contact the department at 303.797.5939 for admission details.
- 47 total credit hours
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Financial aid available
- Alternative nursing pathway option
- Requires RN program acceptance
- Summer transition course offered
- Medical-surgical, pharmacology, maternal-child nursing
- Gainful employment data available
Community College of Denver
Denver, CO - Public 4-Year - ccd.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Community College of Denver's Practical Nursing certificate is a full-time, 51-credit pathway to NCLEX-PN eligibility. Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, math, English, and medical terminology. The curriculum spans nursing arts, pharmacology, geriatrics, maternal-newborn nursing, pediatrics, mental health, and adult health alterations. Students gain hands-on experience through simulation labs and clinical rotations in actual healthcare settings, mastering basic patient care and medication administration. Graduates are prepared for LPN roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The program emphasizes focused, full-time study for those seeking direct entry into nursing practice. Additional requirements include CPR certification, background check, and drug screen.
- 51 total credit hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- CPR certification required
- Background check and drug screen
- Clinical hours in simulation and healthcare settings
Concorde Career College-Aurora
Aurora, CO - Private 4-year - concorde.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Concorde Career College's Practical Nursing Diploma at its Aurora campus prepares students for LPN licensure and entry-level nursing careers across Denver. The 10-month, 35.5-credit curriculum integrates classroom theory with 120 lab hours and 405 clinical hours in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Coursework covers pharmacology, anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, family care, and dosage calculations, plus IV skills certification. The program includes NCLEX-PN exam preparation, and its approval by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and ACEN accreditation underscore its quality. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students. This campus-based program is designed for hands-on learners seeking practical experience.
- Colorado State Board of Nursing, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
- 10-Month program
- 35.5 total credit hours
- 405 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- IV skills certification offered
- NCLEX-PN exam preparation included
- Clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics
Pickens Technical College
Aurora, CO - Public 2-Year - pickenstech.org
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Pickens Technical College delivers an ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing program designed to complete in one year of full-day classes, totaling 38.5 college credits across two semesters. The curriculum immerses students in medical-surgical, maternal-infant, pediatric, and geriatric nursing, combining on-site simulation labs with industry-grade equipment and supervised clinical rotations in healthcare settings. Coursework covers pharmacology, assessment, and nursing arts, emphasizing collaborative teamwork and patient care. Graduates achieve an 84.4% NCLEX-PN pass rate and a 98% employment response rate, with a 91.2% completion rate. Flexible clinical schedules accommodate working students, preparing them for roles in hospitals, clinics, and assisted living facilities.
- ACEN accredited
- 2-Semester program
- Complete in 1 year of classes
- 98% job placement rate
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Supervised clinical experience
- On-site simulation labs
- Industry-grade equipment
- 38.5 college credits
- Program completion rate 91.2%
Pima Medical Institute-Aurora
Aurora, CO - Private 2-year - pmi.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Pima Medical Institute's Aurora campus offers a 12-month Practical Nursing Certificate program combining classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations. Coursework includes anatomy, pharmacology, nursing theory, and patient care, with skills training in vital signs, medication administration, IV insertion, and daily living assistance. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and may find employment in long-term care facilities, assisted living centers, medical offices, clinics, and home health. The program is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and holds initial accreditation from the NLN CNEA. Career services support is available to help students secure positions after graduation.
- National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation accredited
- 12-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Approved by Colorado State Board of Nursing
- Career Services support available
- Hands-on lab exercises
- Careers in long-term care facilities
- Pathways to advanced degrees
Pima Medical Institute-Denver
Denver, CO - Private 2-year - pmi.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Visit Website
Pima Medical Institute-Denver offers a Practical Nursing Certificate Program designed to be completed in roughly one year. This campus-based track at its Aurora, CO location emphasizes hands-on skill development, covering vital sign measurement, medication administration, IV insertion, catheterization, and electronic health record management. Coursework spans medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, elder care, and maternal child nursing. Graduates become eligible for the NCLEX-PN, opening roles in long-term care, assisted living, clinics, medical offices, and home health. The program holds accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation and approval from the Colorado State Board of Nursing. With experienced instructors and career services support, students gain practical competence for immediate entry into LPN practice.
- National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, Colorado State Board of Nursing accredited
- 12-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Hands-on training and lab exercises
- Career in long-term care, clinics, home health
- On-campus delivery in Aurora, CO
- Approximately 12 months to complete
- Learn vital signs, IVs, catheters
- Experienced instructors teach courses
- Career Services support available
Denver LPN Program Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Denver’s healthcare system by providing direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. In the city’s hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation centers, primary care and specialty clinics, and home health agencies, LPNs support medication administration, wound care, monitoring of vital signs, and patient education, helping expand access to essential bedside and community-based services across the Denver metro.
Denver’s healthcare landscape is broad and diverse, with demand for practical nursing skills in acute care, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, outpatient clinics, correctional health, school health, and home health. National labor data indicate steady employer demand for LPNs, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting about 5 percent employment growth for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses from 2022 to 2032, driven largely by needs in long-term and outpatient settings.
Most Denver-area practical nursing certificates can be completed in about 12 months of full-time study. Part-time or evening and weekend options, when offered, typically take 18 to 24 months. Programs combine classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities to build competence in foundational nursing care for diverse adult and geriatric populations.
Graduates of Colorado Board-approved practical nursing programs are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure exam for practical nurses. Licensure, education program approval, and scope of practice oversight are administered by the Colorado State Board of Nursing. Successful candidates who pass the NCLEX-PN and meet state eligibility requirements may apply for LPN licensure in Colorado.
Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Denver
The healthcare employment landscape in Denver, Colorado, presents a robust outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The demand for LPNs in Colorado is projected to grow by an impressive 21.5% from 2020 to 2030, significantly surpassing the national average projection. This growth is largely fueled by an aging population requiring expanded healthcare services across various settings.
LPNs in Denver generally earn competitive salaries. While specific figures can vary, the average annual salary for LPNs in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area was $66,660 as of May 2023, with an average hourly rate of $32.05. Some data indicates an average annual salary as high as $70,491, with hourly rates in Colorado averaging $31.41. For those seeking flexibility, per diem shifts for LPNs in Denver can average $43.47 per hour.
LPNs in Denver find diverse employment opportunities across numerous facility types:
- Nursing and Residential Care Facilities:These facilities are major employers, offering roles in long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. Examples include Aspen Siesta, Willow Tree Care Center, La Villa Grande Care Center, and Saint Paul Health Center.
- Hospitals:LPNs work in hospitals assisting Registered Nurses with tasks such as collecting samples, inserting catheters, taking vital signs, administering medication, and providing wound care. Leading healthcare systems often hiring include Kaiser Permanente and CommonSpirit Health, which operates numerous hospitals and clinics across the region.
- Home Health Agencies:Providing skilled nursing care in patients’ residences, these agencies offer roles that may include private duty nursing, sometimes specializing in pediatric home health. Aveanna Healthcare is a prominent provider in this sector.
- Senior Living Facilities & Assisted Living/Memory Care:These communities actively seek LPNs for roles like Wellness Nurses or direct patient care. Notable employers include Sunrise Senior Living and Balfour Senior Care (Balfour Central Park).
- Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs are vital in helping patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery at facilities like The Rehabilitation Center at Sandalwood and Denver Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.
- Physicians’ Offices and Private Practices:LPNs gain valuable clinical experience in these settings, performing duties from patient greetings to sample collection.
- Specialty Clinics:Opportunities exist in specialized medical offices, such as endocrinology clinics, often found within larger healthcare networks.
- Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTACH):Facilities like PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Denver frequently hire LPNs, particularly for night shifts.
- Detox and Residential Treatment Facilities:Centers focused on recovery, such as Avenues Recovery Center, employ LPNs for their detox and residential treatment programs.
- School-based Settings:LPNs can also work in schools, providing healthcare services to students.
Beyond these large systems, smaller facilities and networks play a crucial role in Denver’s healthcare landscape. Agencies like Ace Home Health Care, Alliant Home Health, and KidsCare Home Health provide specialized home nursing services. Behavioral health organizations such as WellPower hire psychiatric nurses, while the Denver Recovery Group LLC employs LPNs across its Front Range clinics. For flexible work options, platforms like Nursa connect LPNs with per diem shifts in various Denver facilities, including rehabilitation and senior living centers.
List of LPN Programs in Denver, CO
Denver, CO
Community College of Denver
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 51 total credit hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- CPR certification required
- Background check and drug screen
- Clinical hours in simulation and healthcare settings
Pima Medical Institute-Denver
- Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate Program
Campus Based - Website
- National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, Colorado State Board of Nursing accredited
- 12-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-PN
- Hands-on training and lab exercises
- Career in long-term care, clinics, home health
- On-campus delivery in Aurora, CO
- Approximately 12 months to complete
- Learn vital signs, IVs, catheters
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