PRACTICAL NURSING

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Nurse Assistant instructor demonstrates techniques for students on mannequin in Denver, CO

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide hands-on care to patients under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and physicians. LPNs are in charge of basic bedside care for patients, including taking vital signs, treating bedsores, preparing and giving injections, applying dressings, monitoring catheters and more.

You will learn how to give direct patient care in a multi-disciplinary healthcare setting. You’ll start learning and practicing essential skills immediately in our nursing skills lab and then move on to 4 different clinical placement internships in local healthcare facilities, totaling 405 hours.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Logo

The Practical Nursing program at Denver Public Schools is located in Denver, Colorado and is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical nursing program is continuing accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program here. 

Students who complete the program are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN Examination). If you successfully complete the IV Therapy for LPNs course, you are eligible for IV certification by the Colorado State Board of Nursing. 

 

Student learning outcomes (SLOs) are designed to prepare PN students for nursing practice, as well as to facilitate articulation between in-state nursing education programs as required by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act.

The Practical Nursing Program Student Learning Outcomes are as follows:

  1. Provide safe, quality, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings considering basic research, evidence, and patient preferences as the basis for care.
  2. Engage in critical thinking and clinical judgment to make patient-centered care decisions.
  3. Participate in performance improvement/quality improvement activities to improve patient care.
  4. Collaborate with healthcare team members, the patient, and the patient’s support persons to facilitate effective patient care.
  5. Use information technology to support and communicate the planning and provision of patient care.
  6. Manage care in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patient populations through the process of planning, organizing, and directing.
  7. Function within the scope of practice of the Practical Nurse incorporating professional, legal, and ethical guidelines.
  8. Promote a culture of caring to provide support, compassion and culturally-competent holistic care.

2022: 84.21%
2023: 67.31%
2024: 70.97%

2022: 66%
2023: 87%
2024: 86%

Percentage of Graduates Employed as a Practical Nurse one year following graduation:

2022: 100%
2023: 92%
2024: 85%

NUR 1002 Alterations in Adult Health I
NUR 1003 Basic Assessment for the PN
NUR 1004 Alterations in Adult Health II
NUR 1005 Practical Nursing Arts and Skills
NUR 1010 Pharmacology Practical Nursing
NUR 1011 Advancement into Practical Nursing
NUR 1013 Basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn Nursing
NUR 1014 Basic Concepts of Pediatric Nursing
NUR 1015 Basic Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
NUR 1016 Basic Concepts of Geriatric Nursing
NUR 1070 Clinical I
NUR 1071 Clinical II
NUR 1072 Clinical III
NUR 1073 Clinical IV
NUR 2001 IV Therapy for LPNs

  • $15,715 (eligible for financial aid)
  • Full-time 12 months / Part-time 18 months
  • This program is in person.
  • Start Date: Full-time, 1/7/2026
  • Start Date: Part-time, 1/8/2026
  • Location: Main Campus
  • This program may have a waitlist.
Apply Now!

REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Proof of high school completion – If education was outside of U.S., credential evaluation is required
  • Provide government-issued ID
  • Pass a criminal background check 
    • View full list of disqualifying offenses.
  • Provide current BLS card 
  • Pass a drug test 
  • Proof of vaccinations including:
    MMR, Hepatitis B, TDap, TB, Varicella, Influenza, COVID-19
order background check & drug screen

PREREQUISITES

  • HPR 1040: Comprehensive Medical Terminology (within previous 2 years)
  • BIO 1006: Basic Anatomy & Physiology (within previous 7 years)
  • Must have Active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license OR copy of official transcript of completion of a Medical Assistant (MA) program

For questions, please email hsa@emilygriffith.edu or call (720) 423-3485 or (720) 423-4873

By applying to this program, you understand the Academic Preparedness and Physical Requirements below.

  • English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
  • Understanding of basic algebra.
  • Stand, walk, kneel, squat and sit for up to 12 hours per day. 
  • Must be able to lift, turn, move, position, and transport patients all day. 
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds floor to waist, lift 5 pounds waist to shoulder, lift and carry 50 pounds, and push/pull 50 pounds. 
  • Must be cleared by a medical provider to participate in the act of caring for others. 
  • Has no condition that would endanger the health or well-being of other students, staff or patients.  
  • Make repetitive movements with hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls. 
  • Able and willing to assist patients with bathing, showers, personal grooming, feeding and toileting. 
  • Able to accurately document and chart patient care. 
  • Able and willing to assist in the evacuation of patients. 
  • Communicate effectively with instructor(s), classmates, and clients.
  • Visual acuity: Clear vision for reading charts and computer screens. See objects in detail from less than a few feet away.
  • Depth perception, which is required for fine tasks such as administering injections, IV, etc.
  • Auditory ability sufficient for monitoring and assessing device alarms, emergency sounds, distress of a patient and auscultatory sounds.
  • React quickly and precisely to changing situations and machinery. 
  • Ability to assess patients through tactile sensations. 
  • Ability to smell to detect odors for safety and for patient care.
TEAS testing will be a requirement for all Practical Nursing students starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This new requirement will impact the cohorts beginning in January 2026 and all subsequent cohorts.
 


ADMISSIONS & PORTFOLIO INFORMATION

  • Options to meet Program Requirements are available here. When you complete one of these, submit a copy to admissions@emilygriffith.edu.
  • Please request that transcripts (high school, college, etc.) be emailed directly to admissions@emilygriffith.edu unless you are requesting program transfer credit. Program transfer credits should be emailed directly to student.records@emilygriffith.edu.
  • If you need to include official Emily Griffith transcripts in your portfolio, they will be provided for you when you submit your portfolio.
  • Please see the Practical Nursing program admissions policy below for questions regarding documentation required for education completed outside of the United States.
  • Attend a Mandatory Practical Nursing Program Orientation.

Please note: Submitting a portfolio does not guarantee admission into the Practical Nursing program.

  • The Director of Nursing Education Programs will notify students by email regarding admission into the Practical
    Nursing program. This will occur one to two weeks after the Practical Nursing Program Information Admission Meeting.
  • Students who are not admitted into the program for the current academic year may re-apply by submitting a new/current portfolio for the next academic year. There are no admissions deferrals or waitlist roll-overs.
  • Following admission into Emily Griffith Technical College, interested Practical Nursing candidates will then need to reach out to lpnportfolio@emilygriffith.edu to begin the portfolio application process. Students will be required to submit a complete portfolio, which will then be reviewed for future class determination. 

High School Transcript/High School Equivalency Certification: All applicants must provide official documentation of having completed a U.S. high school transcript or its equivalent (GED, HSED). An applicant who completed their secondary education outside of the U.S. must submit an official evaluation by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) approved evaluation organization https://naces.org/, such as WES or ECE, to verify equivalency from the applicant’s native country. An applicant who is unable to obtain official evaluation may provide a translated copy of documentation showing high school completion and must meet Emily Griffith’s program readiness. In the event an applicant is unable to obtain documentation of high school completion from their native country, the applicant must meet Emily Griffith’s requirements and successfully complete an additional support program(s) as required by the Director of Nursing Education Programs. Examples of support programs include HSE/GED, Vocational Transitions, CAREERS program and/or tutoring.

  • MMR – Mumps, Measles, Rubella: evidence of a two-dose
  • Hepatitis B: evidence of a three-dose HepB vaccine series 
  • TDap – Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis: evidence of a single-dose TDap every 10 years
  • TB – Tuberculosis: every year skin test or negative blood test, QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot
    • Students with a history of a positive TB skin test must provide evidence of negative TB risk assessment every year signed by a medical provider (MD, NP, PA) 
    • Provider must advise there has been a negative chest x-ray within the past three years and no evidence of active TB
  • Varicella: evidence of two-dose varicella vaccine
  • Influenza: 1-dose every year
  • COVID-19: up-to-date with boosters as recommended by the CDC.

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education authorize the health and nursing programs to conduct a background investigation of all student applicants. The clinical sites used in the programs require background checks of all potential interns. The purpose is to maintain a safe and productive educational and clinical environment. All students must comply with the background investigation to participate in a CCCS health or nursing program. View a list of disqualifying offenses.

Students who have successfully completed the terms of a deferred adjudication agreement will not be disqualified. To discuss your personal situation, please contact Colorado State Board of Nursing at 303-894-2430 or by visiting https://dpo.colorado.gov/Nursing.

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