In Colorado, Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs) are professional care-givers who help licensed nurses provide care for patients or clients. CNA duties involve helping the client perform daily activities, such as feeding, toileting, bathing, dressing, transferring, and ambulating. Other CNA duties include ensuring that clients confined to hospital beds or wheelchairs enjoy a proper range of motion or remain in a position that facilitates healing and recovery. In addition, a CNA measures and records the client’s vital signs: pulse, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen level, and respiration. A CNA records any changes in the client’s vital signs or behavior and reports these changes to the nurse. Given such important tasks and duties, CNAs are key members of the client’s primary care team, often spending more time with the client than do nurses and doctors. In many cases, a CNA is indispensable to the client’s daily routine and care regimen.
CNA Training Program
For many people, Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) training programs represent an important first step toward establishing a career in medicine or care-giving. CNA training programs prepare CNA candidates for such careers by providing a sturdy foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in the field. As demand for nursing care grows in an aging population, employment opportunities abound for those who become a CNA. Colorado residents who are interested in becoming a CNA will find the following information useful.
CNA Programs in Colorado
- Program: Independent
Phone : (719)314-4865
Contact: Linda Roan
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Independent
Phone : (720)470-6563
Contact: Maria Franz
Status: Full Approval
County: Broomfield - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)334-8560
Contact: Margaret Raye
Status: Full Approval
County: Pueblo - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)378-3553
Contact: Shelly Powell
Status: Full Approval
County: Weld - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)378-3553
Contact: Shelly Powell
Status: Full Approval
County: Weld - Program: High School
Phone : (970)378-3553
Contact: Shelly Powell
Status: Full Approval
County: Weld - Program: High School
Phone : (719)587-6010
Contact: Kristi Hillis
Status: Interim Approval
County: Alamosa - Program: Independent
Phone : 719-792-0260
Contact: Deysy Wilkins
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)650-2994
Contact: Mabel Mares
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)752-0000
Contact: Marina Nelson
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Community College
Phone : (303)797-5962
Contact: Jennifer Bielefeld
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)362-7711
Contact: Nicole Dummett
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)362-7711
Contact: Nicole Dummett
Status: Interim Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)362-7711
Contact: Nicole Dummett
Status: Interim Approval
County: Pueblo - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (303)296-1000
Contact: Jeanette Allen
Status: Interim Approval
County: Boulder - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (719)456-1340
Contact: Trista Pryor
Status: Full Approval
County: Bent - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)385-0200
Contact: Mary Watson
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: High School
Phone : (720)972-5845
Contact: Kathleena Blackmon
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: Facility Based
Phone : 719-667-5360
Contact: Cholena Ferell
Status: Interim Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (720) 845-1474x206
Contact: Gloria Sivetts
Status: Interim Approval
County: Douglas - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)420-3148
Contact: Cindy Mattox
Status: Full Approval
County: Logan - Program: Independent
Phone : (970)420-3148
Contact: Cindy Mattox
Status: Full Approval
County: Morgan - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)848-5804
Contact: James Pool
Status: Interim Approval
County: Yuma - Program: Independent
Phone : (970)420-3148
Contact: Jessica Jones
Status: Full Approval
County: Larimer - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)780-4625
Contact: Patricia Mehnert
Status: Interim Approval
County: Denver - Program: High School
Phone : (303)772-3333
Contact: Wendi Stuart
Status: Full Approval
County: Boulder - Program: High School
Phone : (720)423-6600
Contact: Lynda Freund
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: High School
Phone : (719)589-7000
Contact: Tawnie Mobbley
Status: Full Approval
County: Alamosa - Program: High School
Phone : (720)554-2600
Contact: Elerie Archer
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (303)421-3600
Contact: Jean Sommer
Status: Interim Approval
County: Jefferson - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)846-3407
Contact: Valerie Lawton
Status: Full Approval
County: Garfield - Program: High School
Phone : (970)846-3407
Contact: Valerie Lawton
Status: Full Approval
County: Eagle - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)846-3407
Contact: Valerie Lawton
Status: Full Approval
County: Eagle - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)846-3704
Contact: Valerie Lawton
Status: Full Approval
County: Garfield - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)846-3407
Contact: Valerie Lawton
Status: Full Approval
County: Chaffee - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)870-4527
Contact: Valerie Lawton
Status: Full Approval
County: Routt - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)824-1115
Contact: Denise Huff
Status: Full Approval
County: Moffatt - Program: High School
Phone : (970)824-1115
Contact: Denise Huff
Status: Full Approval
County: Routt - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)824-1115
Contact: Denise Huff
Status: Full Approval
County: Grand - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)757-5858
Contact: Carolyn Omiteru
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)879-8855
Contact: Shani Bohlin
Status: Full Approval
County: Routt - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)625-0842
Contact: Lauara Kuemmerle
Status: Full Approval
County: Garfield - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (719)539-6112
Contact: Kelli Volkman
Status: Full Approval
County: Chaffee - Program: Community College
Phone : (303)340-5210
Contact: Stephanie McCrary
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Community College
Phone : (303)365-8366
Contact: Stephanie Bean
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)307-8855
Contact: Cynthia Nwairo
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)484-9650
Contact: Kathy Anderson
Status: Full Approval
County: Boulder - Program: High School
Phone : (303)728-6200 x6100
Contact: Shari Bossmann
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)522-4888
Contact: Tammy Burtard
Status: Interim Approval
County: Logan - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)396-8364
Contact: Aibora Mwanri
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: High School
Phone : (303)646-4616
Contact: Kris Friesenegger
Status: Interim Approval
County: Elbert - Program: Community College
Phone : (720)423-4700
Contact: Patrice Muhammad
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Independent
Phone : (720)382-2194
Contact: Apollonia Williams
Status: Interim Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)621-3886
Contact: Sade Stephenson
Status: Interim Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)353-3370 x507
Contact: Stephen Cooper
Status: Interim Approval
County: Weld - Program: High School
Phone : (720)423-7900
Contact: Stacey Brimhall
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Independent
Phone : (970)300-8766
Contact: Stacie Cook
Status: Interim Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (303)393-7600
Contact: Ramatu Awini
Status: Interim Approval
County: Denver - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)204-8583
Contact: Suzanne Sevy
Status: Full Approval
County: Larimer - Program: Independent
Phone : (970)494-6455
Contact: Kathleen Petersen
Status: Full Approval
County: Larimer - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)625-6415
Contact: Amy Campagna
Status: Full Approval
County: Garfield - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)641-0704
Contact: Mary Blattner
Status: Full Approval
County: Gunnison - Program: Independent
Phone : (720) 327- 1533
Contact: Jill Poole
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)695-9982
Contact: Jessica May
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)963-1500
Contact: Jenica VanderMark
Status: Full Approval
County: Pitkin - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)332-4856
Contact: Donna Roberts
Status: Full Approval
County: Yuma - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)542-3181
Contact: Brandi Howard
Status: Full Approval
County: Pueblo - Program: Independent
Phone : (720)734-4348
Contact: Tammy McDonald
Status: Interim Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)336-2248
Contact: Morgan Clarke
Status: Full Approval
County: Prowers - Program: High School
Phone : (303)347-4124
Contact: Heidi Mahn
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: High School
Phone : (303)841-5551 x237
Contact: Lisa Foster
Status: Full Approval
County: Douglas - Program: High School
Phone : (303)982-7460
Contact: Wendy Dorrance
Status: Full Approval
County: Jefferson - Program: High School
Phone : (970)878-9290
Contact: Michelle Massie
Status: Interim Approval
County: Rio Blanco - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)233-848
Contact: Carolyn Omiteru
Status: Full Approval
County: Jefferson - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)346-9300
Contact: Lynne Collins
Status: Full Approval
County: Kit Carson - Program: High School
Phone : (970)542-3100
Contact: Lynne Collins
Status: Full Approval
County: Morgan - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)775-8873
Contact: Lynne Collins
Status: Full Approval
County: Lincoln - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)542-3100
Contact: Lynne Collins
Status: Full Approval
County: Morgan - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)332-5755
Contact: Lynne Collins
Status: Full Approval
County: Yuma - Program: Independent
Phone : (720)372-7166
Contact: Purificacion "Shawn" Baruela
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)521-6701
Contact: Elizabeth Krise- Thompson
Status: Full Approval
County: Logan - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)521-6701
Contact: Elizabeth Krise- Thompson
Status: Full Approval
County: Phillips - Program: Independent
Phone : (800)276-0274 x2
Contact: Lisa Cloutier
Status: Full Approval
County: Larimer - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)574-5562
Contact: Camela Miland
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)384-6899
Contact: Kimberly Montejano
Status: Full Approval
County: Otero - Program: High School
Phone : (303)344- 4910x27909
Contact: Shannon Fries
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Community College
Phone : (303)344-4910 x27909
Contact: Shannon Fries
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)502-3485
Contact: Mark Vickers
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: High School
Phone : (719)502-3485
Contact: Mark Vickers
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: High School
Phone : (719)495-2453
Contact: Sarah Baxter
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: High School
Phone : (719)502-3485
Contact: Mark Vickers
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)426-1800 x20141
Contact: Chrysta Romero
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)549-3295
Contact: Michelle Ohnemus
Status: Full Approval
County: Pueblo - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)549-3295
Contact: Michelle Ohnemus
Status: Full Approval
County: Fremont - Program: High School
Phone : (719)549-3295
Contact: Michelle Ohnemus
Status: Full Approval
County: Pueblo - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)564-6200
Contact: Cheri Johnson
Status: Full Approval
County: Montezuma - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)385-2098
Contact: Cheri Johnson
Status: Interim Approval
County: La Plata - Program: High School
Phone : (719)549-3295
Contact: Michelle Ohnemus
Status: Full Approval
County: Fremont - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)675-5011 x136
Contact: Kelly Christian
Status: Interim Approval
County: Rio Blanco - Program: Community College
Phone : (303)914-6081
Contact: Sarah Smith
Status: Full Approval
County: Jefferson - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)484-7981 X114
Contact: Carol Bishop
Status: Interim Approval
County: Larimer - Program: Independent
Phone : (303)945-4203
Contact: Jennifer Connor
Status: Full Approval
County: Arapahoe - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (719)523-4501
Contact: Sheri Reed
Status: Full Approval
County: Baca - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (719)738-5211
Contact: Nancy Corsentino
Status: Full Approval
County: Huerfano - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (303)812-3656
Contact: Sonia Fraley
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)285-2620
Contact: Marsha Bell
Status: Full Approval
County: Fremont - Program: High School
Phone : (970)368-1187
Contact: Karen Tosetti- Scott
Status: Full Approval
County: Summit - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)874-7671
Contact: Theresa Toothaker
Status: Full Approval
County: Delta - Program: High School
Phone : (970)874-7671
Contact: Theresa Toothaker
Status: Full Approval
County: Delta - Program: Community College
Phone : (719)589-7000
Contact: Tawnie Mobbley
Status: Full Approval
County: Alamosa - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)533-9031
Contact: Margaret Hamlin
Status: Full Approval
County: La Plata - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (970)867-8261
Contact: Rhonda Fricke
Status: Full Approval
County: Morgan - Program: High School
Phone : (720)423-7674
Contact: Patrice Muhammad
Status: Full Approval
County: Denver - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (720)624-9200
Contact: Kristina Winfrey
Status: Full Approval
County: Jefferson - Program: Independent
Phone : (970)209-4447
Contact: Lawrence Sanderson
Status: Full Approval
County: Montrose - Program: Independent
Phone : (719)900-5555
Contact: Tristan Finley
Status: Full Approval
County: El Paso - Program: High School
Phone : (303)982-9360
Contact: Wendy Dorrance
Status: Full Approval
County: Jefferson - Program: Facility Based
Phone : (719)438-5401
Contact: Cynthia Canfield
Status: Full Approval
County: Kiowa - Program: Independent
Phone : (970)434-5474
Contact: Beverly Olson
Status: Full Approval
County: Mesa - Program: Community College
Phone : (970)255-2600
Contact: Kathi Arbogast
Status: Full Approval
County: Mesa - Program: High School
Phone : (970)255-2600
Contact: Kathi Arbogast
Status: Full Approval
County: Mesa - Program: High School
Phone : (970)255-2600
Contact: Kathi Arbogast
Status: Full Approval
County: Montrose - Program: High School
Phone : (303)487-2423
Contact: Loretta O'Brien
Status: Full Approval
County: Adams - Program: High School
Phone : (303)982-7696
Contact: Wendy Dorrance
Status: Full Approval
County: Jefferson
Requirements for Becoming a CNA in Colorado
Colorado Certified Nursing Aides are credentialed on the basis of examination and background check. Those interested in obtaining a CNA can start training as early as high school. It is not necessary to have a diploma or GED to start attending a program in the state of Colorado.
State-approved options to becoming a CNA in Colorado
The state of Colorado has different certification training routes for establishing eligibility to become a CNA, each tailored to different groups of CNA candidates or students. Each one of the options can be found in the Pearson Vue Candidate Handbook.
1. Students may complete a state-approved nursing assistant program. This certification route is ideal for candidates who have finished state-approved training and have never been a nursing assistant in any other state. The CNA application requires the training program code as well as the date the training program was completed. Students must also pass the nurse aide exam within 24 months after Pearson VUE receives the application.
2. Candidates who are LPN, RN, LPT or military equivalent students and who have never been licensed must complete 5 semester credits of nursing fundamentals in a nursing, registered nurse, or psychiatric technician program. Students must provide a transcript or verification letter. The candidate must also pass the nurse aid exam within 24 months after Pearson VUE receives the application.
3. Those who are LPN, RN, or LPT students with an expired or active license from any US state must attach a copy of the License or transcript proving that they have completed nursing program. Students must also pass the nurse aide exam within 24 months after the Pearson VUE receives the application.
4. Someone who is already a nurse, but who has been trained outside the US, must provide a translated transcript demonstrating completion of 5 semesters of nursing fundamentals or its equivalent in practical nursing, psychiatric technician program or a registered nurse. The candidate must also pass the nurse aide exam within 24 months after Pearson VUE receives the application.
5. A student who trained in another state to be a nurse aide, but who no longer holds a current nurse aide certificate, must provide proof that he or she completed a state-approved training program. The student must also pass the nurse aide exam within 24 months after Pearson VUE receives your application.
6. Someone whose certified nurse aide license has been revoked or surrendered must wait one year after revocation or two years after surrendering certification before he or she is permitted to apply to be a CNA in Colorado. Candidates must complete re-training at an approved training program within two years prior to application. A nurse aide advisory committee will review any such application and supporting documentation, thus extending the normal application process. The candidate must also pass the nurse aide exam within 24 months after Pearson VUE receives the application.
7. A candidate who is a nurse aid reinstated by examination, but has not worked as a nurse aid for at least 8 hours in the last 24 months, must attach a copy of the most recent nurse aide certificate of completion from a state-approved training program. The candidate must pass the nurse aid program with 24 months after the Pearson VUE receives the application.
CNA Training Program
Consisting of 123 hours, Colorado CNA programs feature both classroom instruction and where at least 16 hours are clinical hands-on training. During the classroom instruction phase of the program, students are introduced to the fundamentals of nursing and taught related professional care-giving skills. The hands-on component of the program gives students an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to problems that arise in a clinical setting. The training program is also designed to teach students how to monitor and record a patient’s vital signs and state of physical fitness, as well as how to interact with patients. Other subjects covered include sanitation, safety, and understanding medical terminology.
During the hands-on portion of your training, you will be required to master the skills that you learned in the classroom. These skills are associated with the following:
1. Infection control and Standard Precautions
2. Safety
3. Residents’ rights
4. Communication
5. Observing and reporting abnormalities; all of which will be taught and further explained in the CNA Training Programs.
Some examples of the associated skills that will be taught in the CNA Programs and classes are:
– Taking blood pressure
– Taking temperature
– Pressure ulcer prevention
– Measure and record fluid intake
– Moving and positioning residents
– Feeding the dependent resident
– Collecting a stool specimen
The cost of CNA classes in Colorado varies from place to place. Please contact the individual program for pricing. A list of state approved CNA Programs can be found below.
CNA Examination
The CNA examination is a measure of nursing assistant related knowledge, skills and abilities. There are two parts to the exam: (1) a skills examination and (2) a written/oral examination.
The Written or Oral: An Oral Exam may be taken in place of written if the candidate has difficulty with English. The tests consists of one hundred (60) multiple-choice questions and 10 reading comprehension (word recognition) items. The questions come from the following subject areas: Physical Care Skills, Psychological Care Skills, and Role of Nurses Aid.
The Skills Evaluation: The Skills Evaluation is set up to resemble an actual care-giving situation and a setting that an aide will be doing when they start working. The skills evaluation will be administered by a Nurse Aide Evaluator. The nurse Aide Evaluator will give the candidate a list of 5 Task that that will have to perform. If the CNA leave out a critical Element step or do not perform the step properly, they the skill is not passed. Handwashing will always be a skill to be performed. The remaining 4 skills are from the following subjects:
– Recording a measurement
– Applying a one knee high stocking
– Assisting to ambulate using transfer belt
– Assisting with use of bedpan
– Cleaning dentures
– Counting and recording a radial pulse
– Counting and recording respirations
– Donning and Removing PPE
– Dressing a client, feeding a client
– Giving a modified bed bath
– Measuring blood pressure
– Measure Urinary output
– Measuring and record weight
– Performing passive range of motion
– Positioning a client on side
– Providing catherer care
– Providing foot care
– Providing mouth care
– Transferring from bed to wheel chair
– Providing perineal care.
The candidate will receive results of both tests on the day of the examination. Approximately one week later, the Board of Nursing will receive the official results directly from Pearson Vue
Fees
$123 for both the written/oral and skills tests
Application Process
To access the online registration form, click here.
Background Check
In order to receive a CNA certification, the CNA candidate will need undergo a fingerprint live scan and a criminal background check before taking the CNA exam by the nursing aide registry. Many CNA classes will require you to have the fingerprint and background check completed before even enrolling in a program, so inquire with the institution concerning these guidelines.
CNA Registry
The state board of Nursing keeps a list of all certified nurse aides. If candidate passes the exam, and meet all the other requirements, the name will be added to the registry . After completion of the training, tests, and background check, the Board of Nursing will issue the certification. The CNA will be listed on the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry at that point, and qualify to work in nursing homes, hospice facilities, home care and some other settings in the state of Colorado.
More Information
Colorado Board of Nursing
Pearson Vue Candidate Handbook
CNA Job and Salary Data for Colorado Cities
Urban Area | Employed CNA’s | Hourly Mean Wage | Salary Range 10% – 90%* | CNA Employment Per 1,000 Jobs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boulder | 710 | $13.80 | $10.34 – $18.20 | 4.16 |
Colorado Springs | 2,350 | $12.41 | $9.68 – $15.44 | 8.99 |
Denver – Aurora – Lakewood | 9,610 | $15.10 | $11.68 – $18.69 | 6.99 |
Fort Collins | 1,300 | $14.13 | $10.93 – $17.96 | 8.93 |
Grand Junction | 750 | $12.66 | $9.94 – $16.38 | 12.67 |
Greeley | 700 | $12.88 | $9.73 – $17.29 | 7.05 |
Pueblo | 980 | $14.75 | $10.48 – $18.54 | 16.98 |
- Popular Cities in Colorado