Nursing

Health Sciences Pathway

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

LPN-BSN Nursing Pathway

The LPN-BSN program at Community College of Denver is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who have completed a Practical Nursing certificate program who are preparing to advance their careers as Registered Nurses. Successful completion of the LPN-BSN program will result in a Bachelors of Nursing (BSN) degree and eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse. 

The LPN-BSN program builds on previous LPN training to prepare nursing professionals to care for increasingly complex patient conditions under a greater scope of practice, to include professional development and leadership skills to manage an evolving healthcare industry. 

Additional skills Registered Nurses obtain include:

Management of unstable patients, focused assessment and patient monitoring, analysis of data, nursing diagnoses and prioritization of delivery of care, patient education and referral, complex care skill delivery and delegation of care. 

BSN-prepared RNs possess leadership skills to lead evidence-based improvement projects, navigate complex legal and ethical scenarios, hold leadership roles, and play an integral role in managing contemporary issues facing nursing and the healthcare industry. 

The program is seeking interim approval by the Colorado State Board of Nursing. The program is applying for national accreditation, pending accreditation, Registered Nursing graduate's future educational options and career opportunities may be limited. 

Application Requirements and Process: 

To be eligible for admissions, the student must have a current State of Colorado Practical Nursing License in good standing, be CPR (Basic Life Support) certified, has satisfied immunization requirements, passed a background check and drug screen, and must have completed five prerequisite classes. Admissions is selective and involves a holistic admissions process that includes and application, interview, and essay-writing component for consideration for admission into the RN-BSN program. 

Pre-requisites:

Total: 43 Credits

pROGRAM tOTAL cREDITS: 120 cREDITS 

Health Sciences Pathway
CCD.edu/INP

Associate of Science Tracks

Associate of Science Practical Nursing Track

Students pursuing a CCD Selective Admission Health Sciences program begin their studies by completing a set of pre-requisite courses. The Associate of Sciences Health Sciences tracks ensure students complete the required pre-requisite courses before applying, streamlining their transition into specialized areas of study. These programs all meet the requirements for the General Associate of Science degree, students can either complete this general degree or convert to the CCD selective-admission Health Science program of their choice, once admitted. Students should choose the track that corresponds to the Health Science program they would like to pursue. Each track contains the pre-requisites for the health science program identified, contained generally in the first two semesters.

Course maps and pre-requisites can be found below. By taking these initial steps, students can position themselves for success in their chosen health sciences career paths.

Health Sciences Pathway
CCD.edu/INP

INTEGRATED NURSING PATHWAY

Community College of Denver (CCD) has partnered with the University of Colorado (CU Denver) to prepare you for a nursing career through the competitive Integrated Nursing Pathways (INP) program. Once accepted into the program, you will complete the final 30 credits of required pathway classes at CCD and earn an Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) degree. A minimum 3.0 GPA after taking 9 prerequisite classes is required for admittance into the program and must be maintained throughout. After graduating from CCD and maintained admission standards, you will automatically transition to the CU Denver College of Nursing in Aurora. Upon the successful completion of six more semesters of study, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The annual application deadline is March 31st, once prerequisite coursework is completed or will be completed by the end of the spring semester. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required to apply and will need to be maintained while taking the required pathway courses. Entry into the nursing program is a competitive process, and the INP program will accept a limited number of students each year. Once accepted, you will begin the program during the fall semester of the year of application and will complete the final 30 credits of required pathway classes at CCD and earn an A.G.S. degree.

For further information about this competitive program, please consult with the INP program coordinator at 303.365.8304 or visit CCD.edu/INP.

COURSE MAP

NOTE: This degree will be conferred as an A.G.S. degree. "Integrated Nursing Pathway Program" will not be listed on your transcript or diploma but will be recognized by the transferring institution for program admission. Students interested in completing an A.S. degree should consult with the INP program coordinator. Although the INP program requires 62 credits for completion, only 60 of those credits are fully transferable to CU Denver.

Health Sciences Pathway

Practical Nursing 

The Practical Nursing Program at Community College of Denver offers a comprehensive educational program that blends theoretical perspectives with professional practice. It provides students with the skills they need to care for the physical needs of patients while promoting their health, healing, and wellness. 

As a practical nurse (PN), you will have access to varying employment opportunities:

• In long-term care facilities, the PN is often the team leader providing care to multiple residents.
• In outpatient clinic settings, the PN works in collaboration with doctors in treating and educating patients.
• In-home healthcare settings, the autonomous PN provides in-home care to patients ranging in age from pediatric to geriatric.
• In hospitals, PNs provide routine care in many different departments with varying duties.

The program prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN national licensing examination and for employment in many healthcare settings.

The program is approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing. The program is applying for national accreditation with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Pending accreditation, practical nursing graduate's future educational options and career opportunities may be limited. 

Application Requirements and Process

To be accepted into the program, you must be CPR (Basic Life Support) certified, have a negative background check and drug screen, have completed all medical requirements, have completed three prerequisite classes, and be accepted into the program.

Step-by-Step Application

CCD.edu/apply-practical-nursing-program 

Program Prerequisites

COURSE MAP

PROGRAM CREDIT HOURS: 49 TOTAL 

Upcoming Practical Nursing Program Requirements for the 2025-2026 Catalog Year

Program Prerequisites

COURSE MAP

PROGRAM CREDIT HOURS: 48 TOTAL