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Graduate Nurse Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

SCL Health

Graduate Nurse Med Surg

Grand Junction, CO · On-site

You bring your body, mind, heart and spirit to your work as a Graduate Nurse. You're ready to roll up your sleeves. Eager to ask questions. And willing to go above and beyond to ease a patient's pain.

Surgery Partners

New Graduate Nurse Residency

Durango, CO · On-site

$34.14 - $54/hr

Utilizes the nursing process to provide quality patient care according to established standards of care which includes planning, implementing, evaluating and adjusting plan of care, and discharge ...

Surgery Partners

New Graduate Nurse Residency

Durango, CO · On-site

$34.14 - $54/hr

Utilizes the nursing process to provide quality patient care according to established standards of care which includes planning, implementing, evaluating and adjusting plan of care, and discharge ...

Surgery Partners

New Graduate Nurse Residency

Durango, CO · On-site

$34.14 - $54/hr

Utilizes the nursing process to provide quality patient care according to established standards of care which includes planning, implementing, evaluating and adjusting plan of care, and discharge ...

HCA Healthcare

New Graduate Registered Nurse

Aurora, CO · On-site

$36.68 - $53.52/hr

Registered Nurse License or Graduate Nurse in the State * No previous experience needed * Some travel maybe needed for training Benefits We offer a total rewards package to support your health, life ...

New

HCA Healthcare

New Graduate Registered Nurse

Denver, CO · On-site

$36.68 - $53.52/hr

Registered Nurse License or Graduate Nurse in the State * No previous experience needed * Some travel maybe needed for training Benefits We offer a total rewards package to support your health, life ...

New

HCA Healthcare

New Graduate Registered Nurse

Aurora, CO · On-site

$36.68 - $53.52/hr

Registered Nurse License or Graduate Nurse in the State * No previous experience needed * Some travel maybe needed for training Benefits We offer a total rewards package to support your health, life ...

New

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Graduate Nurse information

See Colorado salary details

$19

$31

$44

How much do graduate nurse jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate nurse in Colorado is $31.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.06 and $34.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate nurse?

A graduate nurse is an individual who has recently completed a nursing program, such as a diploma, associate, or bachelor's degree in nursing, but has not yet obtained licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Graduate nurses typically work under the supervision of licensed nurses while they prepare for and take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This transitional phase allows them to gain practical experience and apply their academic knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. Once they pass the licensing exam, they become fully qualified registered nurses.

What does a graduate nurse do?

As a graduate nurse (GN), your job is to work in a nursing department while pursuing your certification as a registered nurse (RN). This is a transitional status between nursing student and RN, and most GNs receive full accreditation within six months of graduating from college. Your primary responsibilities in this position include almost anything a regular nurse may do, including providing health care in areas like surgery, adult medicine, neonatal care, or an emergency department. The main difference between this and regular nursing work is that graduate nurses must be supervised by a registered nurse when providing care to a patient. This supervision is mandatory in all states.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Nurse, you need a solid understanding of nursing fundamentals, clinical procedures, and patient care, supported by a nursing degree and successful completion of the NCLEX exam. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), basic medical equipment, and hospital protocols is typically required. Strong communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills help Graduate Nurses adapt to fast-paced environments and provide compassionate care. These competencies ensure safe, effective patient care and smooth integration into healthcare teams as new professionals.

What kinds of support and mentorship can a graduate nurse expect during their first year on the job?

Graduate Nurses typically receive structured support through orientation programs, preceptorships, and regular check-ins with experienced nurses or educators. Most hospitals assign a preceptor or mentor who provides guidance, feedback, and assistance as new graduates transition from academic learning to hands-on clinical practice. This support helps ease the common challenges of adapting to shift work, managing patient loads, and building confidence in clinical skills. Participating in these programs fosters professional growth and helps Graduate Nurses integrate smoothly into the healthcare team.

What is the difference between Graduate Nurse vs Registered Nurse?

AspectGraduate NurseRegistered Nurse
CredentialsCompletion of nursing degree, eligible for licensureLicensed and registered with nursing board
Work EnvironmentSupervised clinical settings, training rolesIndependent practice in hospitals, clinics, community
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level roles, training programsFull professional roles across healthcare settings
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry requirements, trainingJob responsibilities, career progression

In summary, a Graduate Nurse is an individual who has completed their nursing education and is preparing to become licensed, often working under supervision. A Registered Nurse has obtained licensure and can practice independently, taking on full responsibilities in various healthcare environments.

What can you do as a graduate nurse?

A graduate nurse can provide basic patient care, assist with medical procedures, monitor patient conditions, and support healthcare teams under supervision. They often work in hospitals, clinics, or community settings and may pursue certifications to specialize in areas like pediatrics or emergency care.
More about Graduate Nurse jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Nurse jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Graduate Nurse jobs in Colorado are:

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For Graduate Nurse jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Nurse jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Nurse jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Nurse jobs in CO?

For Graduate Nurse jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Graduate Nurse jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Nurse job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,991 per year, or $31.2 per hour.

Graduate Nurse Med Surg

SCL Health

Grand Junction, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

To show our commitment to you and to assist with your transition into our organization, we will also offer up to a $5,000 sign-on and a $5,000 relocation assistance when applicable.

You.

You bring your body, mind, heart and spirit to your work as a Graduate Nurse.

You're ready to roll up your sleeves. Eager to ask questions. And willing to go above and beyond to ease a patient's pain.

You're great at what you do, but you want to be part of something even greater. Because you believe that while individuals can be strong, the right team is invincible.

Us.

St. Mary's Medical Center is part of SCL Health, a faith-based, nonprofit healthcare organization that focuses on person-centered care. Our 346-bed regional medical center is in Grand Junction, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Our mission is to bring health and hope to the poor, the vulnerable, our communities and each other.

Benefits are one of the ways we encourage health for you and your family. Our generous package includes medical, dental and vision coverage. But health is more than a well-working body: it encompasses body, mind and social well-being. To that end, we've launched a Healthy Living program to address your holistic health. Healthy Living includes financial incentives, digital tools, tobacco cessation, classes, counseling and Paid Time Off. We also offer financial wellness tools and retirement planning.

We.

Together we'll align mission and careers, values and workplace. We'll honor each other's dignity and surpass the standards we set. We'll encourage joy, demand safety and take pride in our integrity.

We'll laugh at each other's jokes (even the bad ones). We'll hello and high five. We'll celebrate milestones and acknowledge the value of spirituality in healing.

We're proud of what we know, which includes how much there is to learn.

Your day.

As a Graduate Nurse with us, you will know how to:

  • Compile and use information related to assignments, analyzing and handling procedures and problems that involve independent judgment and decision making.
  • Comply with and maintain contemporary knowledge of the hospital, administrative, safety and human resource policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate self-directed learning and participate in continuing education to ensure professional growth.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in interactions with patients, physicians, nursing, staff and other patient care members and co-workers.
  • Assist co-workers in completing their duties to promote effective teamwork.
  • Demonstrate flexibility to assist in achieving safe, effective and efficient staffing and scheduling.
  • Assess and re-assess patient condition, observing and recording significant conditions and reactions, detecting deviations from normal, reporting findings and documenting appropriately.
  • Assist and advocate appropriate interventions and care planning.
  • Initiate a patient education plan, patient care plan &/or clinical pathways, according to the assessed individualized needs of the patient, and as prescribed by physician and hospital policy, including patient and family instruction.
  • Respond to life saving situations based upon nursing standards, policies and procedures and protocol.
  • Administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques.

Your experience.

We hire people, not resumes. But we also expect excellence, which is why we require:

  • ASN / ADN from an accredited program with the ability to obtain your BSN from an accredited program within four (4) years of hire, required
  • Minimum of three to six (3-6) months of relevant experience, required
  • Current Colorado RN license eligible, required

Your next move.

Now that you know more about being a Graduate Nurse on our team, we hope you'll join us. At SCL Health, you'll reaffirm every day how much you love this work, and why you were called to it in the first place.

Apply