Ready to take the next step in your nursing journey? This is where you’ll apply to Pikes Peak’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Below you’ll find key dates and updates to help you prepare.
Upcoming Application Periods:
Attention Paramedics:
Due to low application numbers for our Paramedic to RN bridge course, we will be offering
the application only for the Spring 2027 cohort Application cycle. You will find that
application at the top of this page on October 15 - October 31, 2026.
Thank you for your commitment to the PPSC Nursing Program. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Get ready to apply to the nursing program with the info you need to feel confident. These 1-hour sessions cover what the program requires and how to apply.
Attending a session is one of the application requirements. If you cannot come in person, you can watch the recorded version, just check Step 4 of the application steps for the link.
Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES) | 1850 Cypress Semi Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
You must submit your application by the due date listed at the top of this page. Late applications will not be reviewed. For the full details of everything you need to do, and to view the points system for your application, view/attend the ADN Information Session.
Complete a Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) Admission Application. Applying to PPSC is free, and it takes about 10 minutes to complete the online application.
If you are already enrolled at PPSC, you do not need to repeat this step.
Request that copies of your official transcripts be sent to: Records@pikespeak.edu OR submit official sealed transcripts directly to:
RECORDS OFFICE
Pikes Peak State College
5675 South Academy Blvd.
Box C-8
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
If you have already submitted your official transcripts to PPSC, you do not need to repeat this step.
Include UNOFFICIAL copies of transcripts from all previous colleges attended in your nursing application, including PPSC transcripts.
Attend in person a Nursing Information Session (dates and times above)
OR
Watch the virtual information session and fill out the Attestation of Information
Session Review Form. This must be completed and included with the ADN application.
Watch the ADN Info Session
Watch the ADN Bridge Information Session
Review the curriculum outlines that best fits your goal to see the pre-requisites for that particular program.
Traditional ADN Curriculum Outline
LPN to RN Curriculum Outline
Paramedic to RN Curriculum Outline
These prerequisites MUST be completed with a grade awarded before the application period.
All Biology (BIO) prerequisites must be completed within the last 7-year period prior to the ADN application period. All other general ed. prerequisites must be completed within the last 15 years prior to the ADN application period.
No more than one grade of “D” or “F” in the past seven years is allowed in any of the 200/2000 level BIO courses that are required for the Nursing Program. All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher.
Students accepted into the ADN Nursing Program must maintain a “C” or higher in each required course. For those entering into the traditional ADN program, MAT 103/1120 and BIO 202/2102 must be completed by the end of the 1st semester. BIO 216/2116 must be completed by the end of the 2nd semester.
Any illegible, unofficial transcript submitted with the application will be seen as incomplete.
Please contact the Health Science Academic Advisors at hsadvising@pikespeak.edu for assistance with completing the nursing prerequisites, as they all require college-level math and English readiness and/or general biology competency.
For the Traditional ADN Application, the following is required in order to apply:
Complete the Nursing Assistant (NUA) coursework within the Colorado Community College (CCCS) system.
These courses include:
OR
Have an active Colorado Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate. If the CNA is obtained through a private company or through an out-of-state institution, the student must obtain an active CNA certificate. Please visit the Department of Regulatory Services to find information on transferring your out of state CNA license to Colorado.
For the LPN to RN Application, the following is required in order to apply:
The applicant must have an active Colorado Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in good standing. Please visit the Department of Regulatory Services to find information on transferring your out of state LPN license to Colorado.
For the Paramedic to RN Application, the following is required in order to apply:
The applicant must have an active Colorado Paramedic Certificate or License in good standing. Please visit the Department of Regulatory Services to find information on transferring your out of state Paramedic Certificate or License to Colorado.
Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). TEAS information can be found at PPSC Testing Center
The Individual Performance Profile provides the Reading Score, Math Score, and Science Score, which the Admissions Committee will score applicants on. Reading and Math must be at or above 70% to be awarded points and Science must be at or above 60% to be awarded points on the Application Score Sheet. Applicants may take the TEAS exam a maximum of 2 times in the 12 months prior to ADN application submission. An example of the TEAS Individual Performance Profile is provided below. The student must submit their TEAS Individual Performance Profile score sheet with their application.
Complete the Associate Degree Nurse Program Application Form.
The ADN application is an e-form that will be accessible via a link that will be available during the application periods listed above. All applications must be submitted through the application link, there are no in-person applications. Do not print out the materials to hand deliver as the Nursing Department will not accept in-person submissions.
Application review for content will not happen during submission of applications.
Application review will happen at a later date. The Nursing Department is not responsible for misplaced or failed submissions of application materials.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the application is complete at the time of submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.
The following is a sample timeline only. Steps do not necessarily need to be completed in this order as long as all steps are completed by the application deadline. This sample timeline if for a fall ADN start. Program cohorts begin in the both the fall and spring semesters.
Apply to PPSC (if you haven’t already).
Note: Admission to the college does NOT mean you’re in the LPN, ADN, or BSN programs—these
require separate, selective applications.
Review ADN application requirements and make a personal plan.
Schedule an online meeting with a Health Science Advisor to review your plan and transcripts.
Recommended to begin this step in February for a spring start.
Spring registration opens—register for any remaining prerequisites.
Research scholarships and complete your FAFSA.
Unsure where to start? Meet with a Financial Advisor.
Military? Contact the Military & Veterans Programs (MVP) office.
Recommended to begin this step in March for a spring start.
Attend an ADN Information Session (if you haven’t already).
Gather ALL unofficial transcripts in preparation for your application.
Recommended to begin this step in April for a spring start.
Plan to schedule your TEAS test.
Reminder: TEAS scores must be from within 365 days of your application date.
Recommended to begin this step in May for a spring start.
Spring classes begin!
All prerequisites must be completed before applying to the ADN program—no exceptions.
Seek out tutors or study groups to maximize your grades.
Your prerequisite GPA is a major factor in your application score.
Recommended to begin this step in June for a spring start.
It’s been 6 months since your last Health Science Advisor meeting—schedule a check-in
to review transcripts and application materials.
Recommended to begin this step in July for a spring start.
If submitting a work verification letter (optional), request it from your supervisor
or HR now—they’ll need time to complete it.
Recommended to begin this step in August for a spring start.
Review application requirements:
Are you a current PPSC student? (Accounts deactivate after a year of inactivity.)
Have you sent ALL official transcripts to the Registrar—including those without Nursing prerequisites?
Do you have unofficial copies of all transcripts?
Do you have a signed and dated attestation from the Information Session?
Will your transcripts show final grades for all prerequisites before applying?
If LPN or Paramedic, is your Colorado license current? (Check DORA.)
Do you have a digital copy of your TEAS scores with your name, date, number of attempts, and section scores?
Recommended to begin this step in September for a spring start.
Spring classes end.
ADN Applications open: May 15 (8am) – May 31 (5pm)
Register for summer co-requisites (optional).
Recommended to begin this step in October for a spring start.
Applications are reviewed (first 2–3 weeks).
No status updates will be provided during this time.
Acceptance, alternate, and decline letters are emailed to all applicants between the
3rd and 4th week.
Recommended to begin this step in November for a spring start.
Complete all CastleBranch (DISA) tasks before the semester starts—failure to do so may result in dismissal.
Attend the mandatory in-person orientation.
Recommended to begin this step in December for a spring start.
Begin your nursing journey!
Provisional admission is based on a merit evaluation that considers:
GPA in the four required prerequisite courses
A previously awarded degree (if applicable) to TEAS test score
Qualified work experience related to your application pathway
Applicants who meet all admission requirements are ranked using a competitive point system.
Applicants can earn a maximum of 73 points.
Points are awarded based on prerequisite GPA, TEAS test score and qualified work experience.
All eligible applicants are ranked according to total points earned.
In rare cases where multiple applicants earn the same number of points, selection will be determined by randomization.
Up to 40 points are awarded based on GPA in the following four prerequisite courses:
ENG 121 / 1021 – English Composition I (3 credits)
PSY 235 / 2440 – Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
BIO 201 / 2101 – Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
BIO 204 / 2104 – Microbiology (4 credits)
Your posted GPA in the PPSC system must be 2.5 or higher to be eligible for admission consideration.
Applicants may earn 3 points for completing 500 or more hours of qualified work experience within the past three years.
Requirements:
An employment verification form must be fully completed and submitted with your application.
A job description must be included.
What counts as qualified work experience depends on your application pathway:
Traditional Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN):
Direct patient interaction is required. View the Work Verification Letter for ADN Applicants.
LPN to RN Transition to Practice:
LPN work experience qualifies. View the Work Verification Letter for LPN Applicants.
Paramedic to RN Transition to Practice:
Paramedic work experience qualifies. View the Work Verification Letter for Paramedic to RN Applicants.
Competitive ranking is based on a maximum of 73 points. In the rare case of multiple applicants with an identical number of points, the selection will be randomized.
For example: If there is one slot left to fill and there are three applicants that are all competitively ranked with the same number of points, these three applicants will be randomized. The first applicant randomly drawn will fill the open slot. The remaining two applicants may have the option of becoming an alternate position holder for the Nursing Program if the opportunity arises.
For the purposes of the Nursing Program, students who have taken either (or both)
of the BIO prerequisites more than one time will have the letter grades from their
first two attempts at the course(s) in the current seven-year period ONLY averaged
to receive the final letter grade/points awarded for the course. The Nursing Department
will average BIO grades ONLY. An applicant cannot have more that one failing grade.
