LPN Programs in Colorado
LPN programs in Colorado offer one-year training programs that lead to certification as a licensed practical nurse. LPNs perform a wide variety of basic bedside care duties such as recording vital signs, administering medication, and increasing the overall comfort of patients. They work with patients of all ages from newborns to seniors. LPN programs are competitive to get into and accept only the most qualified applicants. Students should be prepared to take prerequisite courses in cell biology, anatomy and physiology and microbiology. Although the program is one year students should include the extra time it takes to complete prerequisite classes.
What is the job outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses?
Many people who are interested in a moderately-paying career that can be achieved in two years or less consider licensed practical nursing. Since the overall demand of jobs in the medical field is said to be on the rise, many think that licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are also in demand.
What is the job outlook for LPNs?
Here are some of the different things about the job outlook to aid in making the decision to become one.
According to the Better Business Bureau, the demand for licensed practical nurses is expected to increase by 14 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than average for all occupations. There are several basic reasons for this, but the main one is because the number of people who are becoming senior citizens is increasing due to the high amount of baby boomers. Another reason is that there is a larger demand for health services than just the usual. As technology improves, new testing procedures are implemented where the patient did not have access to them before. This is having an effect on almost every sector of the healthcare industry, and is expected to increase as the years go on.
There is another way in which the baby boomers have an effect on the job outlook for licensed practical nurses. It is also associated with the aging population that is currently increasing more than it ever has in the past. Many LPNs who are baby boomers themselves will soon be reaching the age of retirement. This will create job openings for other licensed practical nurses to fill.
Although the demand for LPNs is going to be higher than average, there are certain areas where it may be higher. One of the main benefits of working as an LPN is the fact that you can work for hospitals, primary care physicians, pediatricians, and just about any healthcare facility you can think of. The Better Business Bureau reports that the areas with the highest growth include:
- Emergency medical centers
- Nursing care facilities
- Home health care services.
While the demand for hospital nurses is not expected to be all that high, many hospitals are expected to provide LPNs with more job responsibilities than in the past, which may create more job openings.
The median earnings for licensed practical nurses in 2009 was $39,679, according to Salary.com. During this same year, the bottom 10 percent of LPNs earned less than $32,713 and the top 10 percent of LPNs earned more than $46,826, on an average. The middle 50 percent of licensed practical nurses earned anywhere between $36,033 and $43,420.
Overall, there is a good job outlook for licensed practical nurses, and in comparison to other careers, the growth for LPNs is expected to grow faster than average. This is very similar to most of the other jobs in the healthcare industry, which have a job growth that is increasing and is expected to grow faster than average for all careers. Advancements are available in this career, as many LPNs make the decision to go on to be registered nurses, which have a higher earning potential.
OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN COLORADO
Aims Community College
5401 W. 20th St., Greeley, Colorado 80632Telephone:(970) 330-8008
http://www.aims.edu
Community College of Denver
1111 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, Colorado 80204Telephone:(303) 556-2600
http://www.ccd.edu
Concorde Career Colleges
4393 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, Colorado 92113Telephone:(800) 852-8434
http://www.concorde.edu 111 N. Havana Street, Aurora, Colorado 80010
Telephone:(303) 861-1151
http://www.concorde.edu 3239 Broadway, Kansas City, Colorado 64111
Telephone:(816) 531-5223
http://www.concorde.edu
Delta Montrose Technical College
1765 US Hwy 50, Delta, Colorado 81416Telephone:(970) 874-7671
http://www.dmtc.edu
Emily Griffith Opportunity School
1250 Welton Street, Denver, Colorado 80204Telephone:(720) 423-4700
http://www.egos-school.com
Front Range Community College
3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, Colorado 80031Telephone:(303) 466-8811
http://www.frontrange.edu/frcctemplates/frcc1.aspx?id=47
Lamar Community College
2401 S Main St, Lamar, Colorado 81052Telephone:(719) 336-2248
http://www.lamarcc.edu
Morgan Community College
920 Barlow Road, Fort Morgan, Colorado 80701Telephone:(970) 542-3100
http://www.morgancc.edu
Northeastern Junior College
100 College Avenue, Sterling, Colorado 80751Telephone:(970) 521-6600
http://www.njc.edu
Otero Junior College
1802 Colorado Ave, La Junta, Colorado 81050Telephone:(719) 384-6831
http://www.ojc.edu
See the full list of schools.
Pickens Technical College
500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, Colorado 80011Telephone:(303) 344-4910 x27734
http://www.pickenstech.org
Pueblo Community College
900 West Orman Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado 81004Telephone:(719) 549-3200
http://www.pueblocc.edu
San Juan Basin Technical College
33057 Highway 160, Mancos, Colorado 81328Telephone:(970) 565-8457
http://www.sjbtc.edu
