Nursing Jobs: Colorado Springs Overview
In search of inspiring nursing jobs? Colorado Springs may be calling you. The city sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains near Pikes Peak. Look up from just about anywhere in the city, and you’ll see at least some of the 19 red sandstone formations called the “Garden of the Gods.” In other words, nursing jobs in Colorado Springs, CO, come with a view.
The city is also known for its healthcare. It has two of the top-ranked hospitals in Colorado: Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and UCHealth Memorial Hospital. The city has also become known for The William J. Hybl Center, a partnership between Centura Health and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). The center provides medical and performance-based clinical healthcare, testing, and counseling services for the U.S. military, first responders, the physically disabled, and extreme-condition athletes.
If you’re looking for full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem positions in nursing, read on to see what else might interest you in Colorado Springs.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Is Colorado a compact state? Yes. Learn more about the rules that govern the occupation in the Colorado Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses make in Colorado Springs? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Colorado Springs by license/certification:
- NP salary in Colorado Springs: $121,040
- RN salary in Colorado Springs: $86,470
- LPN salary in Colorado Springs: $63,490
- CNA salary in Colorado Springs: $42,750
- Where can I learn more about becoming a nurse in Colorado? Check the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website’s Nursing page for the latest information. If your license is nearing expiration, check out our helpful three-step guide to renew a nursing license in Colorado.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
Are you wondering about your potential patient base? You'll be treating a population of approximately 489,000 people, and nearly 15% are ages 65 and up. All those people need quality healthcare. There are numerous opportunities for a variety of nursing roles in Colorado Springs, including:
- CRNA jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- RN jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- LPN jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- CNA jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Surgical tech jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- CMA jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Medication aide jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Home health aide jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Caregiver jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
- Student nurse jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
Brush up on your Spanish and be sure cultural competency is in your skill set before applying for nursing jobs. Colorado Springs is a diverse city. You’ll find signage and other written materials in English and Spanish, as the Hispanic/Latino population of Colorado Springs is nearly 19% of all residents.
Additionally, approximately 90,000 veterans and 45,000 active-duty military live in Colorado Springs, as the city is home to the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, and Schriever Space Force Base.
Working in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has more than 35,000 people employed in healthcare. These professionals work in a variety of settings, including acute care, post-acute care, and long-term care. Check out the latest nursing jobs in some of the leading hospitals, medical systems, and facilities in the area:
- AdventHealth (including Castle Rock Hospital)
- Children's Hospital Colorado
- CommonSpirit Health (including Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Hospitals)
- Defense Health Agency (DHA) (including Evans Army Community Hospital)
- SCA Health
- UCHealth
- UHS (including Cedar Springs Hospital)
Hospitals are not the only sources for nursing jobs. Colorado Springs is part of El Paso County, which has a Helping Hands program with mental health resources, services for seniors, substance abuse programs, and more. The El Paso County Public Health Department also offers adult and child immunizations, international travel health assistance, and reproductive health services at its clinic in Colorado Springs.
Getting to work in Colorado Springs is faster than the national average of 26.4 minutes, with an average commute time of 22 minutes. Most people drive to work alone, about 11% carpool, and only 1.1% use mass transit. The remaining 6% work from home.
For childcare, Colorado offers Universal Preschool (UPK) throughout the state. Colorado also maintains a searchable database of licensed childcare providers. The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program can cover families who need help paying for childcare. Do you need a companion for your pets while you work? In Colorado Springs, pet care is plentiful.
Living in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, known to the locals as The Springs, is the second-largest city in Colorado, next to Denver. It’s in El Paso County and has an average elevation of 6,035 feet above sea level, which can cause non-locals to reach for oxygen until they get used to the variation.
When it comes time to settle down, you’ve got a diverse choice of neighborhoods in Colorado Springs. On the west side of the city, you’ll find Old Colorado City/West Side. It looks nearly the same as when it was built in 1959 with many homes on the National Historic Registry. The Downtown/Old North End has historic architecture and narrow streets. Unlike most urban downtowns, you can still see the mountains from almost any corner because no tall buildings are in the way.
If you’re looking for the upscale section of Colorado Springs, it’s Cheyenne/Broadmoor. You’ll find old and new architecture and Broadmoor Resort, known for its restaurants, spas, and luxury. The Southeast neighborhood is a mid-century marvel, with the original 50s and 60s architecture plus new development. Drive a little further from downtown to see Northeast/Briargate/Northgate. It’s more modern than other areas of the city.
Three smaller cities are close to Colorado Springs, so they are treated as neighborhoods. They are Palmer Park, Security/Fountain/Ft. Carson and Manitou Springs.
Ask anyone to recommend a signature Colorado City dish in a local restaurant, and you’ll likely get huevos rancheros smothered in green chiles. A whole wheat tortilla is covered with refried and black beans, green chilis, vegan New Mexican chili, two over-medium eggs, and white cheddar cheese.
You won’t be lacking in Colorado Springs if you like museums and galleries. Among the mainstream are Expanding Minds Unlimited – CS Children’s Museum, The Old Colorado City Historical Society, and May Natural History Museum. For a unique experience, visit Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum, Pikes Peak Trolley Museum, and Michael Garman Museum & Gallery, where the entire city is reduced to a 1/6 scale.
Colorado Springs is in the center of Colorado, making it a great starting point for day trips. You can visit the Garden of the Gods in the red rocks of the mountains in just 15 minutes. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is just over an hour away from the city center. You can see, and walk over, a nail-biting suspension bridge that swings above the Arkansas River.
Colorado is all about warm summers and cold winters. It can get very cold and snowy, with temperatures in the low 20s. Summer heat is rarely above 84. The best time to visit is mid-June to early September.
Colorado Springs’ cost of living is only 3% higher than the U.S. average. Home prices are about 8% higher, but that number hovers around 19% when it comes to apartment rentals.
IntelyCare Is Your Source for Great Nursing Jobs
Colorado Springs has excellent career opportunities for nurses and healthcare professionals. Need some help getting started? Find out how IntelyCare can match you with nursing jobs in your specialty area and preferred facility type.