Finding the Right LPN Program in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has earned a reputation as one of the most attractive locales in Colorado to launch your healthcare career. This vibrant city at the foot of majestic Pikes Peak offers aspiring nurses access to some of the state‘s top LPN programs.
With a growing population and economy, Colorado Springs provides a supportive environment for licensed practical nurses to find meaningful work caring for patients across diverse healthcare settings. By gaining your LPN credential from one of the high-quality local training programs, you can prepare to secure a stable nursing job with strong earning potential.
This guide provides an in-depth look at ten standout LPN programs available in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas. We will compare key characteristics like cost, curriculum quality, hands-on training opportunities, and more to help you determine which school aligns closest with your academic and career goals.
Comparison of Top 10 LPN Programs in Colorado Springs
| Program | Cost | Program Length | Admissions Requirements | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak Community College | $5,520 in-district; $17,088 out-of-district | 12 months full-time | High school diploma or equivalent; entrance exam; immunizations; background check | 20:1 |
| Pima Medical Institute | $17,568 to $23,772 | 9 to 12 months full-time | High school diploma or GED® | 25:1 |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | $4,944 in-district; $10,692 out-of-district | 12 months | High school diploma or equivalent; assessment test | 25:1 |
| Intellitec College | $15,950 – $16,950 | 34 weeks – 9 months | High school completion; passing scores on entrance exams | 15:1 |
| Concorde Career College | $22,867 | 12 months | High school diploma or equivalent; background check; drug test | 20:1 |
| CollegeAmerica | $31,950 | 80 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent | 20:1 |
| Colorado Technical University | $22,079 | 24 months | High school diploma; acceptable scores on admission assessments | 25:1 |
| Remington College | $25,500 – $26,200 | 9 months | High school diploma or equivalent | 20:1 |
| Everest College | $23,000 | 9 months | High school diploma or equivalent; passing entrance exam scores | 20:1 |
| Milan Institute | $21,545 – $21,995 | 34 weeks full-time; 48 weeks part-time | High school diploma or equivalent; passing exam scores on Wonderlic SLE admission test | 25:1 |
From reputable community colleges to private occupational schools, Colorado Springs hosts many high-value LPN training programs. After reviewing this lineup of options with varying cost, duration, and features, two programs emerge as top recommendations.
In-Depth Review of the Top Two LPN Programs
Pikes Peak Community College
For an affordable pathway to launch your nursing career, Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) is a premier choice. This public two-year college offers a practical nursing certificate preparing graduates to sit for the LPN licensing exam.
Covering 48 credit hours over three semesters, the year-long program provides robust training in fundamental nursing concepts. Students gain proficiency in areas like medical terminology, patient care, pharmacology, mental health, and geriatrics. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, nursing ethics, teamwork, and leadership.
PPCC partners with healthcare employers to offer clinical rotations across diverse medical settings. By participating in 225 hours of hands-on clinical work, students can translate classroom lessons into practical nursing experience while networking with prospective employers.
The college also prepares students to continue advancing their nursing education. LPN graduates can pursue "LPN-to-RN bridge" programs to attain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or higher within about one additional year of schooling. Credits earned in the LPN program apply toward these more advanced nursing credentials.
With small class sizes, compassionate instructors, affordable tuition, and a convenient downtown Colorado Springs location by urban parkland, PPCC provides an accessible entry point to begin a nursing career. Graduates praise the program‘s ability to equip students with essential nursing competencies and position them for success on the national nurse licensing exam (NCLEX-PN).
Pikes Peak Community College Fast Facts
- Approx. Nursing Program Cost: $5,520 in-district; $17,088 out-of-district
- Program Duration: 3 semesters (12 months full-time)
- Admissions Requirements: High school diploma/GED®, entrance exam, proof of immunizations and background check
- First-Time NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95%
Pima Medical Institute
Students seeking intensive LPN preparation from experienced nurse educators may appreciate Pima Medical Institute‘s accelerated training model and scheduling flexibility.
Pima Medical Institute‘s Colorado Springs campus helps working adults transition into healthcare through its full- and part-time Practical Nursing program. Students take courses in medical terminology, nursing skills, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, human growth and development, and more.
By allowing students to select either day or evening course schedules, Pima Medical Institute supports students balancing work or family demands while completing their program in as few as 9 months. Comprehensive support services provide assistance to help students overcome any barriers to completion.
The program’s cornerstone lies in completing lab work and clinical rotations that teach practical nursing skills. Small classes of 25 students or less allow for highly personalized instruction during labs using industry-standard equipment and simulation mannequins. Students can complete up to 560 site hours training across diverse medical facilities, preparing graduates to provide quality care for patients of all ages.
Pima Medical Institute‘s LPN program holds national and regional accreditation, so graduates can sit for license exams and gain credentials to begin working immediately after completion. The school also achieves excellent outcomes, with LPN graduates recording a 93% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN licensure test.
Pima Medical Institute Fast Facts
- Approx. Program Cost: $17,568 to $23,772
- Program Length: 9 to 12 months (full-time)
- Flexible full- and part-time scheduling options
- Admissions Requirements: High school diploma/GED®
By training at Pikes Peak Community College or Pima Medical Institute, aspiring nurses can gain affordable, convenient access to learn hands-on nursing skills guided by expert faculty invested in student success.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an LPN Program
All prospective nursing students have unique circumstances, so identifying the right LPN training fit hinges on carefully examining a few vital factors:
Cost – Compare program tuition rates along with projections of other expenses like uniforms, equipment, textbooks, and exam prep materials. Also confirm what financial aid options the school offers, including potential scholarships, grants, federal assistance, and private loans.
Approvals & Accreditations – Verify the nursing program holds approval by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and regional or national accreditation through an oversight organization like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These external endorsements help ensure program quality and validate eventual licensure and job eligibility.
Flexible Scheduling – Determine whether the program structure includes part-time components, evening and weekend courses, online elements, accelerated options, or other flexible features to accommodate work obligations.
Hands-on Training Focus – Evaluate the types of practical nursing experience included through lab simulations and site-based clinical rotations across various host facilities. More exposure equates to superior preparation for healthcare practice.
Career Placement Support – Many reputable programs partner with area employers or offer job search guidance. Thorough career prep resources can ease the transition to finding the right workplace after securing your Practical Nurse license.
Practical Nursing Licensing in Colorado
After graduating from an approved LPN nursing program, candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®) to attain a state-issued Practical Nursing license required to begin working.
The Colorado State Board of Nursing regulates LPN practice and licensure within the state. Along with successfully passing the NCLEX, applicants must undergo state and federal fingerprint-based background checks prior to the state issuing an active Practical Nurse license.
Newly licensed LPNs can expect favorable job prospects across the state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of LPNs and other licensed nurses in Colorado should grow 10% from 2020-2030 – much faster than average occupational demand. The aging population and focus on cost-effective quality care should continue fueling strong need for qualified LPNs.
LPN programs available in high-demand locations like Colorado Springs position graduates well to launch their rewarding nursing careers soon after program completion.
Start Your Rewarding Nursing Journey in Colorado Springs
The varied LPN programs offered in Colorado Springs and surrounding communities provide affordable, flexible channels to begin a meaningful nursing career. Aspiring nurses can find programs matching their academic needs, schedule, and career aspirations.
By comparing factors like cost, personalized support, hands-on training, and job prep, students can identify the ideal practical nursing program to set themselves up for advancement into a registered nursing role. Colorado Springs delivers the scenery, lifestyle perks, and career opportunities for nurses to thrive. Consider one of these exceptional local training springboards to launch your vocation helping and healing others across diverse medical settings.