Frequently Asked Questions

Denver College of Nursing is a private institution of higher education dedicated exclusively to preparing students for the diverse opportunities offered by careers in nursing and other medical fields. For more information on the school's background, check out our Mission, Vision, Purpose, and Philosophy page.

Program Attendance & Participation
On-Campus Programs (ADN and BSN)

  • Students typically attend 3–4 classes per week, Monday–Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • Depending on the day, you may be on campus for a few hours for a lab or exam, or longer if multiple classes are scheduled.
  • Clinical rotations usually happen 2 days per week, with shifts lasting 8–12 hours. These may occur on weekdays, evenings, nights, or weekends depending on the site.
  • Schedules are typically provided 3–4 weeks before the start of the term.

Online Programs (RN to BSN and MSN)

  • Students typically take 2 courses per 11-week term, with program start dates throughout the year.
  • Academic week: Monday 12:00 a.m. MT → Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT.
  • Participation includes:
    • Posting your initial discussion by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. MT
    • Replying to at least 2 peers by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT
    • Submitting papers, projects, quizzes, exams, or other assignments as outlined in the syllabus
  • Stay engaged in your courses throughout the week. Schedules are provided in advance according to the term start date.

On-Campus Programs (ADN and BSN): At Denver College of Nursing, all on-campus programs include traditional didactic classes in a classroom, classes in a learning skills lab, and clinical classes at appropriate healthcare facilities. At DCN, you'll find that our class sizes are smaller than most universities. Classes are scheduled per starting cohort of students, who will take all didactic, lab, and clinical classes together for the length of their program. This allows students to form friendships, study groups, and groups that may carpool together. 

Online Programs (RN to BSN and MSN): Online class sizes in the RN to BSN and MSN programs are limited to 25 students, and most classes will have 20 students or less. Online programs do not include traditional lab or clinical experiences.

Yes, though each state has different requirements for the transferring or endorsement of licenses. Please contact the board of nursing for the state you want to practice in to find out the specific requirements in that state. 

We have graduates who are currently employed as nurses in states including California, Texas, South Carolina, and New Mexico.

As of January 2018, Colorado is a participating state in the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). When a new graduate residing in the state of Colorado obtains a nursing license, it’s granted as a multi-state license allowing practice in all the participating states. Please visit nursecompact.com for more information. For information on licensure and nursing regulatory bodies in general, please visit ncsbn.org.

DCN is authorized to enroll students from the specific states listed in the admissions application for distance education programs. If your state is not listed in the DCN admissions application, the college is not yet authorized to enroll students residing there.  

The list of states where DCN is authorized to offer distance education programs is updated regularly. If you do not see your state listed by DCN at this time and have questions, please contact the Online Admissions Department.

The historical NCLEX pass rates for DCN's programs are available on the Colorado State Board of Nursing’s website.

The 2024 pass rates for the DCN programs are:

  • BSN: 291 graduates, 92.78%
  • ADN:  52 graduates,  90.38%

All prerequisite requirements are listed on our program pages.

No. You do not need to complete all prerequisite courses before submitting your application.

Many students apply while they are still finishing prerequisites. Once you apply, an admissions advisor can review your transcripts with you and help create a personalized plan outlining any remaining courses and the best start date for your program.

Applying early allows our team to work with you one-on-one to build a clear roadmap toward enrollment.

You can typically start within three to six months of your application, as DCN provides many start dates throughout the year; however, if a cohort fills up, an alternate list will be created. Contact the Admissions Department at the campus where you’re enrolled or the Online Admissions Department to find out the status of the start date you’re interested in. 

On-Campus Programs (ADN and BSN):
Nursing school is a full-time commitment, and students should plan for a schedule that includes classes, labs, clinicals, and study time. Because schedules can vary each quarter, many students find that working part-time with a flexible employer works best while in the program. Some students choose roles in healthcare settings that can accommodate changing schedules.

Online Programs (RN to BSN and MSN):
Yes. Our fully online RN to BSN and MSN programs are designed with the working registered nurse in mind. The flexible format allows many students to continue working while advancing their education.

On-Campus Programs (ADN and BSN): DCN works with clinical sponsors all over the Denver area to assign you to a clinical site. Check out our sample list of where some of our students have completed their clinical experiences.

Online Programs (RN to BSN and MSN): Online programs do not include traditional clinical experiences; however, experiential learning is included as an assignment in some courses. Experiential learning enables students to apply their learning in direct and indirect care activities that impact health outcomes for a variety of clients across the lifespan and across the continuum of care. For the RN to BSN or MSN student, this may include applying concepts from their courses, reflecting on this learning, and demonstrating competency in their place of work or other healthcare facilities. Experiential learning provides the opportunity for students to integrate new practice-related knowledge and skills. Competencies may also be demonstrated through virtual practice experiences.

Yes, Denver College of Nursing is an eligible school under the Title IV Federal Financial Aid programs. Tuition financing plans are tailored to the needs of each individual student. Financial aid is available to students who qualify. The Financial Aid Department assists students in understanding the application process and the eligibility requirements for various federal, state, and/or private sources of student financial aid.

For more information about financial aid check out our Financing page.

Locations and directions to our Denver, Colorado, and Houston, Texas, campuses are available on our About Our Campuses page.

Please see the Application Process page.

Yes, Denver College of Nursing has both programmatic and institutional accreditation as outlined on the Accreditation and Approvals page.

Programmatic Accreditation

The on-campus ADN and BSN programs at Denver College of Nursing are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

The online RN to BSN and MSN programs at Denver College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Institutional Accreditation

Denver College of Nursing is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 

Yes, all DCN programs at the Denver, Colorado, campus and online programs are approved and regulated by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education. 

DCN programs at the Houston, Texas, campus are approved and regulated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

DCN is authorized to grant the Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing by these bodies.

View the Consumer Information page, where you can review the Campus Crime Report. 

View the Consumer Information page, where you can review Completion and Placement Rate information.

All students can request their official transcripts by downloading and submitting the Transcript Request form located on the Registrar page.