Colorado Springs 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 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.
The nursing and health sciences program at UCCS has been lauded as one of the best nursing programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. It provides all levels of nursing education, from certificates to BSN degrees to post-doctorate programs in nursing.
If you’re looking for nursing jobs in Colorado Springs, read on to see what else might interest you.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Colorado Springs
- Is Colorado a compact state? Yes
- What do RNs earn in Colorado Springs? The average annual salary for RN jobs in Colorado Springs is $82,750. That compares favorably to the national average RN salary of $77,600.
- Where can I find information about RN license requirements in Colorado? You can visit the Colorado Board of Nursing website for up-to-date information.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs 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 6,000 feet above sea level. Some spots in the city are as low as 4,500 feet, and some are as high as 7,500 feet. These two extremes are often just a short drive from each other, causing non-locals to reach for oxygen until they get used to the variation.
Whether you’re an RN, CNA, or LPN, You’ll find plenty of jobs working full time, part time, on contract, temporarily, and per diem. Qualified nursing professionals are sought after by hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities.
Are you wondering about your potential patient base? Let’s cover the basics first. Colorado Springs’ population is 475,282, with an average age of 34.6. Nearly 14% of the population is aged 65 or older, and 10.2% of those under 65 are disabled.
Brush up on your Spanish and be sure cultural competency is in your skill set before applying for nursing jobs in Colorado Springs. You’ll find signage and other written materials in English and Spanish, as the Hispanic population of Colorado Springs is more than 18% of all residents. Other ethnicity populations are Black (5.9%), Asian (3%), Native American (1%), and 9.9% are mixed race.
Working in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has 33,440 employed in healthcare. RNs make up 6,450, and home health and personal care aides number 5,030.
The highest ranked hospitals in Colorado Springs are:
- UCHealth Grandview Hospital
- Castle Rock Adventist Hospital
- Penrose Hospital
- Sky Ridge Medical Center
- UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central
Colorado also has a children’s hospital — Children’s Hospital Colorado Springs.
Hospitals are not the only sources for nursing jobs. Colorado Springs is part of the El Paso County Public Health District. It offers adult and child immunizations, international travel health assistance, and reproductive health services at its clinic in Colorado Springs. The city is home to five skilled nursing facilities.
Getting to work in Colorado Springs is faster than the national average of 26.4 minutes, with an average commute time of 21.8 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
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.
You can fly to Denver International Airport and drive 86.9 miles (about 90 minutes), or opt for the smaller Colorado Springs Airport just 23 minutes from downtown.
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 “The Springs” is mid-June to early September.
Colorado Springs’ cost of living may be higher than you’re used to. It’s 6% higher than the U.S. average. It has an average home price of $440,500, compared to the national average of $215,789. Rent is less expensive, with a two-bedroom apartment costing $1,590 per month, compared to the national average of $1,870.
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