A New Path to Registered Nurse Licensure Now Available at Red Rocks Community College
Applications for the fall 2026 cohort are open now.
February 23, 2026 – Author: Michaele Charles, special to RRCC
A New Path to Registered Nurse Licensure Now Available at Red Rocks Community College
For years, RRCC students preparing for careers in nursing began their education at the college but had to transfer elsewhere to finish their studies. That changed this fall with the launch of the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing program.
In August 2025, Red Rocks Community College welcomed its first cohort of 16 students. Now, students who have already been taking nursing prerequisites at RRCC can stay on campus to complete their associate degrees—without needing to transfer to another institution. Upon completion of the AAS in Nursing, graduates will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN).
Meeting the Demand for Nurses in Colorado
While state initiatives like Care Forward Colorado and a streamlined Licensed Practical Nurse-to-BSN pathway have helped ease some pressure on Colorado’s nursing shortage, demand for qualified nurses remains high.
According to Projections Central, a state labor data website supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for RNs in Colorado is projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, with 4,140 average annual job openings. Demand for Nurse Practitioners and nursing instructors is also rising, projected to increase 56% and 36%, respectively.
With the launch of the AAS in Nursing, Red Rocks Community College expands the in-state options for students seeking to prepare for nursing careers. Colorado already offers a range of associate and bachelor's degree nursing pathways, but RRCC’s new program provides local students the opportunity to pursue RN training close to home. This is especially convenient for those who have been completing prerequisite courses at the college with plans to transfer elsewhere.
Staying Close While Moving Ahead
The chance to continue her nursing education without leaving Red Rocks is exactly what appealed to Ariana Lazo, who has been a full-time student since fall 2024. The mother of five raised her children for a decade before becoming a Certified Doula in 2021. “Through that, I figured out that I want to be a Certified Nurse-Midwife, and the first step of that is becoming a Registered Nurse,” she says.
Ariana took a few classes at RRCC when her children were babies, so returning was an easy decision.
“Red Rocks is close to home and very affordable,” she says. “I was intimidated about the science classes, but every professor I’ve had has been welcoming and supportive.” Ariana planned to follow the Integrated Nursing Pathway to earn a BSN at the University of Colorado Anschutz, but when the AAS in Nursing program was announced, she opted to stay.
“We have such small classes and get to know our professors one-on-one, which makes the experience special,” says Ariana. “I still want to get a BSN degree as I hopefully start my career in a labor and delivery unit at a hospital—and eventually an MSN too. But I really value so many things about Red Rocks. I can’t say enough about the professors I’ve had.”
An “Explorer at Heart”
Sebastian Roesinger came to Red Rocks Community College in 2024 to make a career change. After college at CU Denver, he taught English in China for two years before earning an MBA at the University of Denver. He spent seven years in real estate and finance before realizing he wanted something more personally fulfilling.
“My mom had multiple sclerosis and suffered a traumatic brain injury, so I was around the health care setting often, taking her to appointments and spending time with her in the hospital,” Sebastian says. A layoff in 2023 prompted him to shift directions.
“I liked the idea of nursing, but I knew I’d need to take a lot of prerequisites before I even applied to nursing school. So, to get experience, I did the Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic program at Red Rocks at the same time.”
When Sebastian learned that RRCC was creating its own AAS in nursing program, he didn’t hesitate to apply. “I’m an explorer at heart, and I like being part of something new,” he says. “Although I looked at other nursing programs, this is affordable, which is important since it’s my third degree. The Arvada campus that’s dedicated to the health sciences programs is great, and many of my instructors are also nurses, which I appreciate. I’ve had a good experience at Red Rocks so far.” When he and his other AAS classmates graduate in 2027, Sebastian hopes to work in the emergency room setting.
Clinical Experiences Offer Hands-On Learning
To prepare for RN licensure, students complete 750 hours of clinical experience. These rotations allow them to apply their skills in a variety of patient care settings and specialties, including medical-surgical, pediatrics, mental health, and maternal care.
RRCC partners with many respected Denver-area hospitals, including St. Anthony Hospital, AdventHealth Avista, AdventHealth Porter, AdventHealth Parker, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and Lutheran Medical Center.
Starting the Nursing Journey at Red Rocks Community College
Students interested in a career in nursing—or already taking nursing program prerequisite courses—can now pursue the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at Red Rocks Community College.
To learn more about admissions requirements, application deadlines, and how to get started, visit the RRCC Nursing Program page.