A certified nursing assistant provides important support to patients or residents in a variety of settings. CNAs have a lot of responsibility and contact with the patients. CNAs help with individuals’ hygiene, daily activities, and the collection of vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse. Because CNAs work so closely with patients and residents, they are a vital link between patients and the nursing staff, providing nurses with up-to-date information about the patients’ conditions.
To become a Denver CNA you must complete a state-approved nurse’s aide training program that consists of at least 59 classroom hours and 16 on-site supervised training hours in a clinical setting. Once you’ve completed training, you’ll need to pass a Colorado state exam before working as a CNA in Denver.
Training can cost anywhere from free to around $1000 for CNAs. Cost varies depending on whether the facility provides accredited training, the length of the course, the pass/fail rate, as well as other factors. Here’s a list of three CNA training schools in the Denver area with a good reputation:
Community College of Denver
Denver, CO 80217-3363
This is a 5 credit college course and costs approximately $1195.
Arapahoe Community College
5900 South Santa Fe Dr. A2325, Littleton, CO 80160
This is a 6 credit course that costs approximately $900.
South Denver School of Nursing Arts
7853 E. Arapahoe Court, Suite 3300, Centennial, CO 80112
Classes start monthly in the mornings and evenings. Classes are limited to 10 students and the school offers an in-facility State Board Exam.
Here is a comprehensive list of CNA training courses in Denver and the surrounding area. . In addition to onsite classes, there are online options too. The thing to remember when selecting a school is to do your research and select one that’s right for you and meets your cost, time commitment, location, and other requirements. Make sure to check out scholarships, financial aid options, and nursing facilities that offer free CNA training.
In the city of Denver and the state of Colorado, the exam is the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam. It consists of a written exam and a clinical skills exam. The written portion is comprised of 70 questions and covers the role of a nurse’s aid, communication, client rights, psychosocial care skills, and physical care. This is a timed test and must be completed in 90 minutes. Here is a link to some practice written CNA practice tests.
CNA candidates are also tested on five clinical skills which must be completed within 30 minutes. These questions can range from proper hand-washing hygiene to how to feed clients who can’t feed themselves. Written in August 2021, it’s an excellent book with lots of practice scenarios and other current, valuable information.
There are regional test sites throughout the state of Colorado as delegated by Pearson Vue. You can find a test site, take practice exams, schedule an exam, and find exam results on the Pearson Vue website.