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Associate Degree in Nursing (Denver, CO campus)

The Associate Degree in Nursing program is currently only offered at the home campus in Denver, CO. 

This program is for the student that has already met the prerequisite requirements for the ADN completion program and consists of six quarters (18 months) of nursing courses with both didactic and clinical components built on a foundation of general education courses transferred in from other accredited institutions.

For students transferring in general education courses from other accredited institutions, this option consists of six quarters of nursing courses with both didactic and clinical components built on these foundational courses. Graduates are prepared to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®) and earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. The full-time completion program takes one year and six months.

Upon completion of Denver College of Nursing’s Associate Degree program, a student should be able to:

  1. Apply clinical competence in the provision of patient centered care, 
  2. Demonstrate an ability to use effective communication and collaboration skills with patients, families, and colleagues, 
  3. Use effective decision-making skills to manage and coordinate nursing care, ensuring continued quality and safety. 
  4. Demonstrate accountability for the ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities related to the use of technology/informatics in nursing. 
  5. Integrate current nursing knowledge, theory, and research into the care of all patients, including diverse and vulnerable populations. 

Students achieve general education outcomes as they:

  1. Develop creative and critical analytical skills across a wide range of clinical and human knowledge situations 
  2. Develop skills in written, technical, and oral communications 
  3. Function ethically and meet professional standards with integrity 
  4. Demonstrate evidence of and caring for a diverse and multicultural society 
  5. Develop skills for independent decision making and leadership. 

Course No.

Course Name

Quarter Credits

Quarter 1

BIO 209

Pathophysiology

5

BIO 115

Basic Nutrition

3

NUR 210/210L

Basic Health Assessment (with Lab)

5

NUR 200

Differentiated Practice

3

 

 

16

Quarter 2

NUR 220/220L/220C

Foundations of Nursing Arts and Skills (with Lab and Clinical)

12

NUR 228/228L

Basic Pharmacology Concepts & Calculations (with Lab)

6

 

 

18

Quarter 3

NUR 230.230L/230C

Basic Medical Surgical Concepts (with Lab and Clinical)

13

 

 

13

Quarter 4

NUR 240/240C

Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing Concepts (with Clinical)

9

NUR 245/245C

Nursing Concepts in Mental Health (with Clinical)

6

 

 

18

Quarter 5

NUR 250/250C

Nursing Concepts for the Multigenerational Childbearing Family (with Clinical)

6

NUR 255/255C

Nursing Concepts of Children (with Clinical)

6

NUR 260

Transitions

3

 

 

15

Quarter 6

NUR 285/285C

RN Leadership and Capstone Clinical

9

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

Nursing Program Quarter Credits

86

 

General Education Transfer Quarter Credits

24

 

Total Quarter Credits for the ADN Program

110

A minimum of 75% of the DCN program courses must be earned at Denver College of Nursing.

ADN Program Requirements

  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (a grade of C or better, C- or below is not acceptable)or better in all prerequisite courses required.
  • Have completed all prerequisites prior to the start date of their program.
  • Prerequisite course work does not have to be completed at the time of application, however please be realistic about being able to complete all outstanding prerequisites before the start date of the program.
  • Applicants will submit a one-page typewritten personal statement (double-spaced, 12 point font) that addresses your professional goals, healthcare related work background and volunteer experience with their application. The content is the most important part of the statement; however it will be reviewed for writing style, syntax and grammar.
  • Eligibility for all ADN programs is pending the successful completion of a drug screen and a criminal background check before the start of the program. These are not required with the initial application.
  • Eligibility for all ADN programs is pending the successful submission of all required immunizations records and completed “Fit For Practice” form. Applicants will receive more information on submitting these forms during the admissions interview if granted. These are not required with the initial application.
  • Applicants must have the ability to meet all the requirements for licensure and the physical, psychological and emotional standards established by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act and the State Board of Nursing. 
  • Applicants must have the ability to become certified in CPR. This is not required with the initial application.
  • DCN is not eligible to accept international students at this time.
  • ADN applicants who appear best qualified for the program will be contacted for an application interview and testing. 
  • Applicants that have already graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college do not have to take the HESI A2 entrance exam.

Important note: This program has an admissions process where students are selected based on a number of factors including personal statement, previous health care and or volunteer experience and cumulative / science GPA (acceptance is not based solely on GPA). 

ADN Program Prerequisites

Applicants must successfully complete 24 credits of post-secondary coursework, with a GPA of 2.0 (a grade of C or better, C- or below is not acceptable) or better for the courses noted below:

Course Name

Semester Credits

Quarter Credits

Equivalent (1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits)

Anatomy & Physiology with labs

8

12

Human Growth & Development

3

4

Introduction to Algebra

3

4

English Composition

3

4

Total prerequisite credit hours

17

24

Applicants who have completed courses that are different from, but are the equivalent of, those required for admission should submit transcripts to Admissions Advisor for the Registrar to review.

NOTE: Anatomy & Physiology must have been taken within seven (7) years of start date at Denver College of Nursing.

Applicants who have completed courses that are different from, but are the equivalent to, those required for admission should submit official transcripts and course descriptions for review by the Dean of Nursing Education Programs or designee. In addition:

  • Applicants that have not already graduated from an accredited college with a Bachelor’s degree have two opportunities to obtain a minimum of 75% on the HESI A2 English Composite Subscale (Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar) and on the Math Subscale; and take the HESI A2 components utilized in the advising program
  • Applicants that have already graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college do not have to take the HESI A2 entrance exam
  • Successfully complete Anatomy & Physiology within seven (7) years of start date

Can a DCN graduate with a Colorado license work in another state?

Yes, each state has different requirements for the transferring or endorsement of licenses so you should contact the state’s Board of Nursing in the state you’re interested in to find out the specifics on the process in that state. We have graduates that are currently employed as Nurses in California, Texas, South Carolina, and New Mexico to name a few. As of January 2018, Colorado is a participating state in the enhanced Nurse Compact. When a new graduate residing in the state of Colorado obtains a nursing license, it is granted as a multi-state license allowing practice in all the participating states. Please visit https://www.nursecompact.com for more information.  For information on licensure and nursing regulatory bodies in general, please visit https://www.ncsbn.org.

Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) | NCSBN

https://www.nursecompact.com

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) provides a multistate license that allows nurses to practice with patients across state lines.

Licensure

This program requires licensure to obtain employment. Please review to determine if the program meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state. 

This program has been approved by and meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in the state of Colorado. 

We have not made a determination for the following states*: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY.

Those who successfully graduate from the professional nursing program may be eligible to take the NLCLEX-RN ®. Approval to take the examination is not automatic. Successfully passing the NCLEX is one of several requirements for licensure.

Requirements for licensure vary among states. In order to locate the licensure eligibility requirements of another state, please refer to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to find the contact information the Board of Nursing of that state. Click here to visit the NCSBN website.

* If you need additional information on state eligibility or transferability requirements for these states, please contact the Campus President or Dean of Nursing.

Graduation does not guarantee eligibility to sit for licensure exams. Please understand that licensure eligibility can be affected by unlawful events that take place after acceptance into a program. As part of the licensure application process, arrest and court records of final adjudication for any offense other than a minor traffic violation may be submitted to credentialing agency for review. Applicants who have been convicted of a felony and whose civil rights have not been restored may be considered incomplete by the College until documentation of restoration of civil rights is received.

Licensing requirements vary by state. Students who relocate to another state during their enrollment may or may not satisfy the eligibility criteria to obtain a professional license or certification in that state. 

Please contact the Campus President or Dean of Nursing if you have additional questions pertaining to your program of interest.