Nursing

Program Information: 

Nursing offers diverse pathways to meet your career goals, whether you're just starting or looking to advance. Our graduates will be educated with the nursing program pillars of clinical reasoning, critical thinking, cultural competence, leadership, and safe, ethical nursing practice based on caring and professional collaboration.

Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort will be open February 1st-March 31st, 2026.

Nursing AAS Degree Information Sessions
Learn about the application/admission process, pre-requisites, Fall 2026 class, and more!
RRCC Arvada Campus Nursing Facility, 5400 Miller St Arvada, CO

Begin your journey toward a rewarding career in nursing.

Our nursing program is designed to educate future nurses with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the healthcare field.

Applicants will need the following documents to apply to the nursing program. Only complete applications will be considered. Please do not apply until these documents are prepared to upload to the application. 

RRCC Nursing is not eligible to accept international students at this time. 

 1. Official transcripts from all institutions regardless of years attended, this includes any current or dual enrollment courses taken in high school. You must submit official transcripts from any post-secondary school from which you earned college credits while in high school.

 2. A copy of the TEAS Individual Performance Profile, which provides scores on individual topics.

 3. Provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words, 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, in Times New Roman.  Writing prompts will be included in the application. 

 4. Resume

 5. Recommendations from 2 sources: academic or faculty member and community member.

 6. Provide documentation of any healthcare work experience, national certifications in healthcare settings or state licensure, not including BLS.

 7. Also considered in the application: veteran or military status and first-generation students.

Steps you can take to be ready for Fall 2026

Listed below are all the prerequisites for the nursing program.

All these courses may be completed prior to applying to the nursing program, but no later than the stated deadlines. All courses must be completed with a “C” or better.

To apply to the program you must have completed these four courses:

BIO 1010 Biology Foundations or BIO 1111 General College Biology
CHE 1011 Introduction to Chemistry w/Lab
ENG 1021 English Composition I
PSY 2440 Human Growth and Development

Prior to the first semester of the nursing program, you must have the following completed:

BIO 2101 Human Anatomy & Physiology w/ Lab I

By the end of the first semester of the nursing program, you must have the following completed:

BIO 2102 Human Anatomy & Physiology w/ Lab II

Prior to graduation from the nursing program, you must have the following completed:

BIO 2104 Microbiology
PSY 1001 Introduction to Psychology or SOC 1001 Introduction to Sociology

Nursing Program Student Learning Outcomes

The Nursing Program curriculum is designed to help students develop the skills needed to achieve student learning outcomes.

Provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse client populations across the lifespan.

Contact Information:

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – Contact RRCCNursing@rrcc.edu or call us at: 303-914-6009.

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. INP Program information

Integrated Pathway in Nursing, RN Refresher, and Nurse Aid – Contact Tina Armijo at Tina.Armijo@rrcc.eduor 303-914-6083.

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

Integrated Pathway in Nursing, RN Refresher, and Nurse Aid – Contact Tina Armijo at Tina.Armijo@rrcc.eduor 303-914-6083.

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 8/1 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 August 1, 2025

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.

Integrated Pathway in Nursing, RN Refresher, and Nurse Aid – Contact Tina Armijo at Tina.Armijo@rrcc.eduor 303-914-6083.