Registered Nurses (RNs) as highly skilled healthcare professionals who are licensed to take care of patients. Their job requires them to inform the patients as well as their families about their health problems and what they should or should not do.

Should I Become a Nurse in Colorado?

If you want to work as a Nurse in Colorado, you must complete at least a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. The next step is to take and clear the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). If you do not pass this exam, you cannot get licensed. If you do not obtain a license, you will not get hired. Further details on this career are mentioned below.

Education Required At least a bachelor’s degree
Major Requirement Nursing (BSN)
Training Completing an internship or doing volunteer work is recommended
License/Certification required
Key Skills/Qualities Compassion, Communication, Attention-to-detail, Patience, Stamina, Critical-thinking, and Problem-solving Skills, etc.
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National $77,460 (Registered Nurses)
Job Outlook (2018-28) $76,230 (Registered Nurses)
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Colorado $76,230 (Registered Nurses)

Sources: O*Net Online and US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2,982,280 Registered Nurses (RNs) were employed in the US in 2019, and 52,510 were from the state of Colorado. The number of Registered Nurses is predicted to increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028.

Steps to Become a Nurse in Colorado

Is becoming a Nurse in Colorado your dream? If so, then this guide can help you make your dream come true. Let’s get started!

    1. Get the Required Education


There are several ways you can get the education that is required to work as a nurse. Completing these educational requirements allow you to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

    1. Diploma in Nursing (2 years)

You may choose to complete a diploma in Nursing that takes about 2 years to complete. Colorado has several hospitals that offer such diploma programs. The diploma requires you to take your nursing courses at the hospital while completing your general education courses from a local college. However, this pathway is becoming obsolete because now people can earn an associate degree in Nursing (ADN) by completing a few more courses.

    1. Associate Degree in Nursing (2 years)

This degree can also be completed in 2 years and has become a popular choice because it is more affordable and involves less hassle. An associate degree in Nursing allows candidates to combine their classroom courses with clinical experience at the same time in the same place.

    1. Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (4 years)

ven though the associate degree in Nursing is quite popular, Nurses must earn a Bachelor of Nursing to become employed. This degree typically takes 4 years to complete. Many institutions offer this degree and some even offer an accelerated RN-to-BSN degree as well.

    1. Become Licensed as a Registered Nurse in Colorado

The requirements of obtaining a license as an RN vary from one state to another. To obtain a license as a Registered Nurse, all candidates are required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. After clearing this exam, Nurses get the status of Registered Nurse (RN).

How long Does It Take to Become a Nurse in Colorado?

Overall, it may take about 5 years for anyone to become a Registered Nurse in Colorado maybe even more. The first step is completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Nursing. This is followed by taking and clearing the NCLEX-RN exam and getting licensed as a Registered Nurse. These steps may take a year or more.

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Nurse in Colorado?

To become employed as a Registered Nurse in Colorado, all candidates must:

  • Complete a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited institution
  • Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam
  • Get registered as a Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Apply for a job, get hired and begin working

How Much Does a Nurse Earn in Colorado?

According to the data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2019, all Registered Nurses employed in the state of Colorado earned an annual mean salary of $76,230. While California was listed as the highest paying state for this occupation with an annual mean salary of $113,240.