Prospective nurses in Boulder, Colorado, can embark on one of three education pathways. Students may choose to pursue licensure as either a certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or registered nurse (RN). After passing the relevant state or national examination, nurses can seek employment with Boulder’s major hospitals and healthcare providers, such as Avista Adventist Hospital.
Students seeking a vigorous and comprehensive nursing education should enroll in either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. Either prelicensure program prepares its students for the NCLEX-RN national examination to gain official licensure as a registered nurse. There are 2,610 RNs employed in Boulder with a median annual salary of $70,620.
The fastest path to nursing employment is a CNA certificate program. Nursing assistants do not perform complex medical procedures, but they do interact closely and regularly with patients. Upon completing the eight- to ten-week CNA program and passing a state examination, students are officially licensed as nursing assistants. There are 870 CNAs employed in Boulder with a median annual salary of $27,030.
To help Boulder’s aspiring nurses find the best education, we have compiled below a detailed list of nursing schools and programs throughout the metropolitan area.