Nursing

Red Rocks Community College and the University of Colorado’s College of Nursing offer a unique, integrated pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. The Integrated Nursing Pathway (INP) program provides outstanding preparation for professional nursing practice. Designed to increase access for community college students to a B.S. degree in Nursing, it emphasizes the value of a diverse student population as a way to achieving excellence in practice that is reflective of the cultural diversity of health care recipients.

Want a rewarding job in nursing? As the medical field continuously grows, certified nursing assistants are on the front lines for providing quality patient care. Becoming a CNA is a good idea for someone interested in the nursing field who is not sure which path to take.  A CNA job can set you on the fast track to a quality career in the medical field. 

5 credit hours of coursework can earn you wages at a job you love! 

Nurse aides are hired by:

• Long Term Care
• Home Health
• Hospice
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Hospitals

The Colorado State Board of Nursing approves this program and successful graduates are eligible to take the state certification exam. Enter the workforce quickly with flexible class schedules. Job placement assistance after program completion is available.

Full Program Packet available here - 2023

Thank you for your interest in the Red Rocks RN Refresher program. The program has been updated in order to provide the most current nursing information and with greater scheduling flexibility.

Our RN Refresher program is one of only four such programs in Colorado.  Courses are offered in a hybrid format and include both skills labs and simulation labs.

This program is designed for registered nurses who seek to update their nursing knowledge and skills. It is intended for nurses who have been absent from nursing practice and/or those who want to reinstate their nursing license. The course can be completed in one semester and includes lab practice, patient simulations and a clinical rotation.

During the program, you will update your nursing skills, review body systems, and practice physical assessment skills and nursing procedures. The lab sessions offer you a chance to practice your skills and prepare you for real-life patient scenarios that require critical thinking.

First Steps:

Please note that students must complete an RRCC general admission application in addition to the RN Refresher program application. The process and deadlines are as follows:

1. Apply to Red Rocks Community College for admissions at Apply Now on the RRCC Homepage.
2. Apply to the RN Refresher Program by electronically submitting the program application.
3. Your application will be reviewed by the DON and you will receive an email with the approval or a request to follow-up.
4. Upon your acceptance, you will receive email communications on the registration process.
5. You will be notified to register for the classes.
6. Complete all first day of class paperwork and bring with you to class (this packet will also be emailed to you)
7. Once accepted you will register for NUR 2090, NUR 2091, NUR 1070
8. Registration deadline for Fall is 7/31 and Spring is 12/31

Frequently Asked Question About the Program

The RN Refresher program takes place at the Arvada Below you will find answers to the most common asked questions.

1. The RN Refresher program is a Hybrid class which includes; in person didactic instruction, lab/simulation, and an online component.
2. Class is held every Thursday from 8am to 4pm for ten weeks.
3. Upon completion of the didactic portion of the class students then have to complete 80-120
4. hours in a clinical setting within a 5 week period of time. (Required clinical hours depend upon how long you have been out of nursing practice). The clinical setting is held on adult, medical- surgical units. The DON does set up the clinical portion of the class. Days and times of the clinical may vary to include: Days, evenings, nights, and weekends.
5. Students are expected to complete both the didactic portion of class and the clinical portion in order to pass the course.
6. You must pass all of the courses with a grade of “C” or higher in order to participate in the clinical course and in order to obtain the Certificate of Completion.
7. Students do have to pass a background check and drug screen.
8. Students must have proof of immunizations, which include Flu vaccine and Covid vaccine.
9. Cost is approximately $4500.00.

Fall Semester: Application Deadline Date is June 30, 2022

Application submission will follow the general registration timelines. 
Visit https://www.rrcc.edu/calendar and select the appropriate semester.  

1. Apply for admission to RRCC. Apply online at http://www.rrcc.edu/apply
2. Apply to the RN Refresher program - Program Application

Students  are notified of decision to admit. (You will be directed through registration upon acceptance into the program.)

July - Required additional documents due.
August - Fall term begins late August.

Spring Semester

Application submission will follow the general registration timelines. 
Visit https://www.rrcc.edu/calendar and select the appropriate semester.   

1. Apply for admission to RRCC. Apply online at http://www.rrcc.edu/apply
2. Apply to the RN Refresher program - Program Application 

Students are notified of decision to admit. (You will be directed through registration upon acceptance into the program.)

November - Required additional documents due.
January - Spring term begins mid- January.

We are excited to announce that we are in the process of seeking approval to offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing! Keep checking this webpage for updates on when you can begin declaring the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program and when to apply.

Upon graduation with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, the graduate will demonstrate the following competencies and be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN. 

• Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in various healthcare settings to diverse patient populations across the lifespan.
• Engage in critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make patient-centered care decisions.
• Implement quality measures to improve patient care.
• Participate in collaborative relationships with an interdisciplinary team members, the patient, and the patient’s support persons.
• Use information management principles, techniques, systems, and patient care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
• Provide leadership in various healthcare settings for diverse patient populations.
• Assimilate professional, legal, and ethical guidelines in practice as a professional nurse.
• Promote a caring culture to provide holistic, compassionate, culturally competent care.

Steps you can take to be ready for Fall 2025 

Complete the following prerequisite courses to be eligible for application to the program.

• ENG 1021 English Composition I
• PSY 2440  Human Growth and Development
• BIO 1111 General College Biology OR BIO 1010 Biology Foundations
• BIO 2101 Human Anatomy & Physiology w/Lab I
• BIO 2102 Human Anatomy & Physiology w/Lab II
• BIO 2104 Microbiology
• CHE 1011 Intro to Chemistry w/Lab

PSY 1001 Introduction to Psychology OR SOC 1001 Introduction to Sociology