Certified Nursing Assistant Training in Colorado

Any healthcare facility relies on hundreds, if not thousands, of professionals to keep everything running smoothly. This team includes people at all levels of education and with all sorts of responsibilities.

If you’re interested in an entry-level career in healthcare that gives you the chance to learn about medical supplies and procedures, consider becoming a CNA in Colorado.

What is a CNA?

Before you decide whether or not CNA training is the right choice for you, you should find out exactly what CNAs do and how they use their time.

CNAs are certified to provide basic patient care, which includes personal care, dietary assistance, medication administration, and transfer assistance. They typically report to nurses or nurse practitioners and have fairly large client loads during each shift.

How Can I Become a Nurse Aide (CNA) in Colorado?

If you’re considering attending a CNA school in Colorado, you’re in the right place. On this page, you can learn more about training requirements in Colorado, the certification process, and what type of career you may have once you finish your education. To be a successful CNA, you have to know how to provide clinical care, stay within your scope of practice, and communicate effectively with nurses and physicians.

Learn more about your training options by contacting CNA programs in Colorado.

What Kind of CNA Training Do I Need in Colorado?

On the path to becoming a nurse’s assistant, you may get lots of experience and training. In fact, the more hands-on experience you get with patients, the more comfortable you may be working in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

Your training should offer both theoretical and hands-on training, since both are essential to your ability to work with other healthcare professionals. CNA programs are generally very short, lasting between four and eight weeks. This gives you a straightforward way to begin a career in healthcare and start getting the experience you need to move up in this industry.

Getting Into a Certified Nursing Assistant Program in Colorado

Getting accepted to a CNA program is usually an easy process. Unlike other healthcare training programs, which may have extensive educational requirements, CNA programs are open to the vast majority of applicants.

Even if you have a history of poor grades or no experience in healthcare, you may be able to apply to CNA programs and start your education in a matter of weeks. Colorado CNA nursing assistant training programs have slightly different admissions requirements, but many standards are the same across all Colorado schools.

Admissions Requirements for CNA Programs

Must be 18 years or older
High school diploma
Negative TB skin test; some schools require a two-step skin test
Physical exam that shows that you can lift up to 50 pounds safely
Citizenship or legal residency
Current immunization records
Criminal background check and fingerprints

Application Documents

Application
Application fee of $25 to $50
High school transcripts
Authorization for a background check
Proof of citizenship or legal residency

CNA Training in Colorado

On your way to becoming a nurse’s aide, you may spend up to eight weeks completing your education. Colorado has fairly relaxed requirements for nurse assistant training, so if you attend training full-time, you may graduate in as little as three weeks.

To become a licensed CNA in Colorado, you only need 75 hours of education. You must get at least 59 hours of theory training and at least 16 hours of hands-on clinical experience. These standards are much less than what you may find in other states, so some Colorado schools do require a greater amount of clinical hours.

Program outcomes vary between schools. Overall, most programs expect to leave with an understanding of their duties as a CNA, an ability to communicate with healthcare professionals using the right terminology, and the ability to work quickly while maintaining a high standard of care.

Programs must follow a specific curriculum. This curriculum includes the theoretical knowledge you should have by the time you graduate and the practical skills you must be able to perform as a healthcare professional.

CNA Classes in Colorado

Infection control
Communication
Patient transfers and ambulation
Patients’ rights and independence
Medical terminology
Observation and reporting
Rehabilitation procedures and standards
Restoration techniques
Emergency care
Privacy laws
Memory loss and other side effects of aging
Nutrition and dietary needs

You may have come to this page looking for online training options for CNAs. Generally, online training is very limited for nursing students. Clinical experience is mandatory for all nursing assistants, and online programs must set students up with appropriate clinical rotations.

This can be a demanding task for CNA schools, so most simply require in-person attendance for all class periods. You may find that some Colorado schools allow you to do your theory training online.

CNA Certification as a Prerequisite for Nursing School in Colorado

You may be looking into becoming a nurse’s aide as part of your nursing program, rather than as an end goal in itself. Nursing schools have many good reasons for requiring that all students complete a CNA program.

As a CNA, you learn how to communicate effectively with patients and understand their needs. You may also get experience with the fast-paced nature of healthcare, which is essential for registered nurses. Furthermore, you can use your CNA license to work while earning your nursing degree, which may help you build your professional network and prepare for a long-term registered nursing career.

Paying for a CNA Program in Colorado

Now that you can answer the question “What is a CNA?” you may be curious about how you can pay for your Colorado CNA training. Scholarship, grant, and loan options depend on which type of program you attend, your grades, and your financial need. Many students get started by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which determines whether or not you qualify for federal grants and subsidized loans.

You may have more options if you’re attending nursing school, since these schools qualify for more aid than vocational certification programs. The college scorecard is a good tool for nursing students, since it allows you to compare tuition expenses and financial aid awards. You may also look into scholarships with a Peterson’s search. At this website, you can search for local and federal scholarships, keep tabs on due dates, and submit applications.

A local resource for scholarships is the Colorado Nurses Foundation, which supports nurses at different educational levels.

Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Colorado

You’ve finished your required 75 hours of training and you feel confident about your ability to work in a healthcare setting. This is your time to get established in a healthcare career, earn your CNA license, and start building core nursing skills that you may use to further your education down the line.

CNA Requirements in Colorado

Licensure is mandatory in all 50 states, since nursing assistants provide evidence-based care to patients and are often responsible for the care of at-risk patients. Your nurse assistant training is the most important part of the licensure process, since it gives you the skills you need to pass licensing exams and perform the most common CNA duties.

Licensure goes through the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. To apply for your license, you must have your transcripts sent from the CNA classes in Colorado you attended.

You may then register for the National Nurse Aide Assessment, which includes a written multiple-choice component and a skills component. Before you’re permitted to take the test, you must pay a $123 exam fee. After you pass the test, you may get listed on the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry.

To keep your certification valid, renew it by January 31 every even-numbered year.

Where are the Best CNA Jobs in Colorado?

The experience you earn at CNA programs in Colorado may be an important tool as you start your career. If you get experience with different populations while earning your license, you may be able to apply for jobs in many different settings and environments. The right nursing assistant position for you depends on your long-term career goals, your schedule, and your specific skills.

Many new nursing assistants choose to start working in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These facilities tend to have established routines that new CNAs can easily follow, making it the ideal work environment for nurse assistants who don’t want to get overwhelmed. However, there are many other options to consider.

Many hospital departments may employ CNAs, since the nursing shortage has increased nursing caseloads and minimized the amount of time nurses spend with each patient. CNAs are a cost-effective way to keep care standards high and ensure that patients get what they need to heal. You may look for work as a nurse’s assistant in almost any healthcare setting.

Common Work Settings for CNAs

Hospitals
Clinics
Rehabilitation facilities
Occupational therapy centers
Day programs for developmentally disabled adults
Respite facilities
Hospice agencies
Nursing homes and assisted living homes
Group homes

Nurse Aide Hiring Requirements and Expectations

Current registration as a certified nursing assistant
Education from an approved CNA program
Flexibility to work days, nights, overnights, and weekends
Ability to work on-call shifts
Demonstrated ability to work with healthcare professionals
High level of comfort with patients of different needs

What Does a Nursing Assistant Do in Colorado?

Before you take any nursing aide job, you should get a clear description of your job duties and responsibilities. CNAs are highly regulated healthcare professionals, and working outside the scope of your CNA certification may lead to hefty fines for you and your place of employment, as well as removal from the registry.

In general, you can provide any care that is assigned to you by a nurse or physician as long as you received specific training in that task during your CNA training. While you may administer medication, you cannot change medication amounts or administration methods. While you can help patients with range of motion exercises, you cannot deviate from the list of prescribed exercises.

Certified Nursing Aide Duties

Administration of medication
Monitoring of feeding and hydration equipment
Toileting and brief changes
Clothing changes as needed
Documentation of intake, output, and vital signs
Communication of patient changes to doctors and nurses
Assistance during procedures and treatments

How Much Does a CNA Make in Colorado?

As a general rule, certified nursing assistants are paid by the hour. This may benefit you as a CNA, since you may be expected to work overtime or atypical shifts to fit the needs of your facility. Some facilities offer bonus pay for overnight workers and those who willingly take on additional weekend or holiday shifts.

Across Colorado, the average salary for a certified nurse aide is $29,380 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). This is in line with national averages. Demand for nursing assistants is growing across the country. Between 2014 and 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 17% boost in job openings for CNAs (2017).

Average salaries are higher in several parts of Colorado. In Denver, CNAs report a mean income of $31,400 per year (BLS, 2017). Those in Pueblo earn an average of $30,670 annually (BLS, 2017). The average salary is $29,400 in Fort Collins and $31,070 per year in the northwest region of Colorado (BLS, 2017).

Important CNA Resources in Colorado

When you decide to build a career in the healthcare industry, you benefit from the many resources available at the state and federal levels. There are thousands of people employed as nursing assistants in Colorado, and you can benefit from their experience and education.

You may want to look into joining these groups as a student, since many nursing associations have scholarships for student members. When you begin your CNA career, you may have the opportunity to attend continuing education events and get legislative updates on issues that may influence your career.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to become a nurse assistant and contribute to the healthcare industry of Colorado, this is your chance. The demand for nursing professionals is growing faster than Colorado schools can turn out graduates, which is why many Colorado schools have expanded their nursing programs in recent years (Durango Herald, 2017).

As a certified nurse aide, you may open yourself up to other nursing careers and education options.

Take the first step to a new career now; check out our list of nursing programs in Colorado and request information on CNA training programs.

Colorado

Arapahoe Community College
Campus Locations in: Littleton, CO
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program, Medical Assisting – Certificate
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Community College of Denver
Campus Locations in: Denver, CO
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Concorde Career College
Campus Locations in: Aurora, CO
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant – Diploma, Medical Office Administration – Diploma
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Diploma

Everest College
Campus Locations in: Aurora, CO / Colorado Springs, CO / Thornton, CO
Matching Programs: Dental Assistant Diploma
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Front Range Community College
Campus Locations in: Longmont, CO
Matching Programs: Medical Assisting – Certificate
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

institute of Business and Medical Careers
Campus Locations in: Fort Collins, CO / Greeley, CO
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree

IntelliTec College
Campus Locations in: Colorado Springs, CO / Grand Junction, CO
Matching Programs: Dental Assistant
Program Types Offered: Certificate

National American University
Campus Locations in: Colorado Springs, CO / Denver, CO
Matching Programs: Healthcare Coding Diploma
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Red Rocks Community College
Campus Locations in: Lakewood, CO
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

The Royal Academy of Surgical Assisting, Inc.
Campus Locations in: Greenwood Village, CO
Matching Programs: Advanced Surgical Assistant Certificate Program
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: American Board of Surgical Assistants