Finding Colorado Clinical Rotations & Preceptorship

Colorado may be famous for its breathtaking mountains, world-class skiing, and love of craft beer, but for Nurse Practitioner students, it’s also known for something else... the clinical placement struggle.

With a growing number of NP students, limited preceptor availability, and a competitive job market, securing a clinical rotation in Colorado can feel like trying to snag a last-minute lift ticket on a powder day stressful, uncertain, and requiring a whole lot of persistence.

But don’t lose hope! Colorado or cities like Aurora or Colorado Springs are a hub for healthcare opportunities, and with the right approach, NP students can land quality preceptors in diverse settings, from bustling hospitals in Denver to rural health clinics in the San Luis Valley.

Let’s break it down so you can find a clinical rotation without hitting an uphill battle

Cracking the code: Clinical Rotations in Colorado

Clinical rotations are the heart of NP training where you go from studying symptoms in a textbook to actually diagnosing and treating real patients. But in Colorado, finding a placement can feel like trying to schedule an appointment with a specialist slow, competitive, and full of hoops to jump through.

That said, the state offers plenty of strong options. The University of Colorado is a major training hub, with comprehensive residency and rotation programs in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Meanwhile, Denver preceptors at institutions like Denver Health give NP students hands-on experience in community health, working with diverse patient populations and tackling public health issues head-on.

Colorado hospitals are known for their high standards and forward-thinking healthcare models. Whether you land a rotation in a major hospital or a rural clinic, the experience you gain here will set you up for success. The key? Knowing where to look and how to stand out.

Colorado overview for Nurse Practitioners

Colorado stands out as a prime location for Nurse Practitioners, offering full practice authority meaning NPs can evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prescribe without physician oversight after completing a 750-hour mentorship with an APRN or physician. This level of autonomy is not available in all states, making Colorado an attractive choice for those looking to practice independently.

Residency training is also crucial for enhancing the competencies and advancing the careers of Nurse Practitioners in Colorado.

High demand and strong job growth

Colorado’s nursing shortage is creating a growing need for NPs across the state. With a 5% gap between supply and demand, healthcare facilities are actively seeking skilled NPs to fill critical roles.

The job outlook is strong, with employment expected to increase by 43% between 2020 and 2030, adding an estimated 300 job openings per year. There is also a growing need for NPs in critical care settings due to the nursing shortage in Colorado.

Nurse Practitioner Salaries in Colorado

The average NP salary in Colorado is $121,990 (2023 data), slightly below the national average of $128,490. However, salaries vary significantly by setting and location, with NPs in hospitals and outpatient care centers earning the highest salaries.

NP Salaries by industry in Colorado

• Outpatient care centers: $131,583
• Hospitals (medical & surgical): $130,038
• Physician offices: $120,480
• Colleges & universities: $118,246
• NPs working in critical care areas, such as intensive care units and emergency settings, can expect competitive salaries.

NP Salaries by Metro Area

• Boulder: $134,230
• Denver-Aurora-Lakewood: $123,320
• Colorado Springs: $121,040
• Fort Collins: $118,960
• Grand Junction: $115,280
• Pueblo: $115,210
• Greeley: $110,920

If you're planning to work in Aurora, Colorado, or Colorado Springs, you can expect competitive salaries with strong job stability.

NP Salaries in Rural Colorado

• Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area: $124,060
• Eastern & Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area: $119,160
• Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area: $114,760

While Colorado’s cost of living can be higher in urban areas, the ability to practice independently and the strong demand for NPs create significant earning potential and career stability.

Licensure and Regulatory Requirements

To practice as an NP in Colorado, the following are required:

• An active Registered Nurse (RN) license
• A graduate degree in a designated NP role
• National certification in an NP specialty
• Board certification to enhance qualifications and showcase commitment to maintaining high professional standards

The Colorado Board of Nursing oversees NP licensure, aligning continuing education (CE) requirements with national certification standards. One notable limitation is that NPs in Colorado cannot sign Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, but they do have the legal authority to function as primary care providers under state law.

Why Colorado is an attractive State for NPs

Beyond the autonomy and job growth, Colorado offers a diverse range of practice settings from major healthcare institutions like the University of Colorado and Denver Health to rural clinics serving underserved populations. For NPs looking for independent practice, high demand, and competitive salaries, Colorado provides a strong foundation for career growth. Additionally, the state emphasizes the importance of clinical experience in various specialties, including infectious disease, highlighting the need for qualified preceptors with expertise in this field within the healthcare educational landscape.

School Resources for Securing Clinical Rotations in Colorado

Finding a preceptor and securing a clinical rotation as a nurse practitioner student in Colorado can be a challenge. With competitive spots and strict requirements, the process can be overwhelming. Fortunately, some schools in Colorado, particularly the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, offer structured support to help students find high-quality placements.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

The University of Colorado Anschutz handles clinical placements for students in the Denver metro area. Through partnerships with healthcare facilities such as UCHealth, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and local clinics, the university matches students with preceptors who align with their career interests. 

The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences plays a crucial role in these placements, ensuring that students gain valuable experience in critical areas of pharmacy practice.

For students outside the Denver metro area, securing a preceptor is their responsibility, but the school provides guidance and resources to help navigate the process.

How the placement process works

1. The school pairs students with a preceptor working in their specialty. Those outside the Denver area must secure their own, with school support available.
2. Students sign a clinical placement acknowledgment form to confirm the rotation.
3. Once matched, students receive their schedule and site details, sometimes rotating through multiple locations in a semester.

Why school resources matter for NP students

Unlike programs where students must secure preceptors on their own, structured placement support offers a smoother and more reliable clinical experience. With strong alumni connections and hospital partnerships, students gain access to reputable healthcare settings, ensuring they receive quality mentorship and hands-on experience. For those navigating the clinical placement process, using school resources can make the difference between a last-minute scramble and a well-organized rotation.Preparing for Your Clinical Rotation

How to land a preceptor without losing your mind

Finding a preceptor for your clinical rotation isn’t just about sending a few emails and hoping for the best. It takes strategy, persistence, and a little bit of finesse. The competition is real, but with the right approach, you can secure a quality preceptorship that aligns with your goals.

Know your program’s requirements

Before reaching out to potential preceptors, make sure you fully understand your program’s clinical requirements. How many hours do you need? What specialties are accepted? Are there restrictions on preceptor credentials? Having these details sorted out ahead of time will save you from wasted efforts and last-minute headaches.

Perfect your introduction

First impressions matter. When contacting a potential preceptor, introduce yourself professionally and highlight your nursing experience, career goals, and eagerness to learn. Keep it concise but genuine. A well-crafted introduction can set you apart from the dozens of other students also looking for a spot.

Use your network

This is not the time to be shy. Tap into every connection you have—professors, classmates, colleagues, and even past preceptors. Many students find placements through word of mouth, so let people know you’re looking. If you’re working in healthcare already, ask coworkers if they know an NP willing to take on a student.

Do your research

Not all preceptors or clinical sites are the right fit. Look into potential preceptors’ backgrounds to see if their experience aligns with your learning needs. If possible, talk to previous students who have worked with them. A great preceptor can make all the difference in your clinical education, so choose wisely.

Follow up and be persistent

If you don’t hear back after your first message, don’t assume it’s a no. People are busy, and sometimes they just forget to respond. A polite follow-up after a week or so can keep your request on their radar. Keep applying to multiple sites until you secure a spot—waiting on just one preceptor can leave you scrambling later.

Finding a preceptor can be frustrating, but with preparation and persistence, you can secure a placement that not only meets your program’s requirements but also helps you grow as a nurse practitioner.

Simplifying clinical placements with services like NPHub

Finding a preceptor can be one of the most challenging parts of an NP program. Between high demand, limited availability, and program-specific requirements, the process can take months and cause unnecessary delays. Preceptor matching services like NPHub help streamline this process by connecting students with qualified, board-certified mentors in their area and specialty. NPHub connects students with preceptors in multiple specialties, including infectious diseases.

At NPHub, we’ve helped over 8,000 students find the right preceptor, saving them months of searching and unnecessary stress. With a network of 2,000+ active preceptors across multiple specialties, including Denver preceptors, Colorado Springs preceptors, and Aurora, Colorado preceptors, we provide a structured, reliable, and hassle-free way to complete your clinical rotations on time.

If you’re struggling to find a preceptor or feeling the pressure of approaching deadlines, we’re here to help. Let NPHub take care of the hard part so you can focus on what truly matters—your education, your future, and your career as a nurse practitioner.