CNAs have an integral role on the healthcare team in hospitals, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities, but they have a limited score of practice that includes the provision of basic care to patients. Their primary duties include safety and emergency procedures, assisting patients with the activities of daily living, reporting observations, and assisting doctors and nurses with patient treatments. If you are seeking a more advanced role in patient care, you can enroll in a CNA to LPN bridge program and prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam and licensure as a practical nurse. As an LPN, you’ll have a wider scope of responsibility and earn more.
Emily Griffith Technical College
The practical nursing program at Emily Griffith Technical College is open to actively certified nurse aides only. It prepares adults for entry-level employment as a practical nurse. Theory and practical experiences provide the skills needed to care for patients under the supervision or registered nurses and physicians. The practical essential skills commence immediately in the nursing skills and continue through four different clinical placement internships in local healthcare facilities. The clinical sessions cover a total of 400 hours. Course topics include Alterations in Adult Health I, Basic Health Assessment for the Practical Nurse, Practical Nursing Arts and Skills, Pharmacology for Practical Nursing, Advancement into Practical Nursing, Basic Concepts of Maternal-Newborn Nursing, Basic Concepts of Pediatric Nursing, Basic Concepts of Mental Health Nursing, Basic Concepts of Geriatric, Application of Practical Nursing Skills, and IV Therapy for LPNs. Prerequisite courses are medical terminology and anatomy and physiology. The practical nursing diploma requires complete of 37 credit hours. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a practical nurse. Day and evening schedules are available. The full-time program is 11 months and the part-time program is 16 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better – must have completed within the last 7 years
- Complete an admissions application online
- Submit a copy of government issued ID
- Submit a copy of high school transcript with the graduation date or high school equivalency transcript with pass date
- Provide a copy of active CNA license or official transcript of completion of a medical assistant program
- Submit all unlicensed healthcare experience for individualized review
- Submit documentation of annual TB test or chest x-ray within the past 5 years
- Submit documentation of MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B
- Must have current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card
- Provide proof of annual seasonal flu vaccine
- Complete a satisfactory background check and 10-panel drug screen
- Must have and maintain professional liability insurance
The estimated cost of the program is $13,079. Expenses for books, supplies, and fees are not included in the cost. The program is eligible for Care Forward Colorado – meaning zero cost.
- Website: https://www.emilygriffith.edu/
- Address: 1860 Lincoln St 3rd floor, Denver, CO 80203
- Phone: 720-423-4700
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 92.00%
Concorde Career College
Certified nursing assistants may enroll in the practical nursing program at Concorde College to prepare for a new role in patient care delivery. CNAs may submit their current certification for extra points in the competitive admissions process and advanced credit in the program. The curriculum covers 1015 contact hours (35.5) semester credits of theoretical and practical coursework. Course topics include fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, English composition, dosage calculations, human growth and development, foundations for health professions, pharmacology, and fundamentals of nursing. Other topics include family nursing, readiness for practice, family nursing applications, mental health nursing, nursing care of adults, and nursing care of adults application. Nursing assistants will acquire knowledge and specialized practical skills to qualify for entry-level employment as a member of the nursing team in an acute care hospital, extended care facility, physician’s office, or other healthcare facility. They will be eligible to take the NCLEX exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. The duration of the program is 10 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must attend a personal interview and campus tour
- Complete the admissions documentation including the Enrollment Agreement and disclosures
- Submit acceptable proof of graduating high school or GED
- Complete the entrance assessments – Entrance assessments include the Wonderlic SLE and HESI. Prospective students must earn 22 on the Wonderlic and 75 on the HESI.
- Must complete a satisfactory criminal background check
- Submit a health certificate and immunization records
- Submit current CNA certification
The total program cost of $29,695 includes tuition, books, and supplies.
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu/
- Address: 111 N. Havana Street, Aurora, CO 80010
- Phone: 303-861-1151
- Fax: 303-839-5478
- Toll free: 1-800-693-7010
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 82.75%
PIMA Medical Institute
The practical nursing program at PIMA Medical Institute is open to certified nursing assistants who are seeking to take the next step on the nursing career ladder. Nurse aides who enroll in the program will gain the knowledge and professional skills to perform as competent entry-level practical nurses. The curriculum will cover 1,061 hours of instruction – 488 hours theory, 168 hours lab skills, and 405 hours of clinical rotations. Course topics include medical math, medical terminology, communication and composition, nutrition, human development across lifespan, strategies for PN success, anatomy and physiology, introduction to nursing, elder care and nursing theory, and clinical foundations of nursing. During the sequences, students will learn role transition, intravenous therapy, maternal child nursing, adult medical and surgical, and foundations of nursing clinical. The duration of the program is 48 weeks based on a 5-day schedule.
Admission criteria:
- Must attend a personal interview or campus
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Applicants under the age of 18 must provide written approval from a parent or guardian if under the legal age
- Complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen
- Complete the program’s health requirements
- Submit documentation of CNA certification for credit
The program cost of $27,077 includes tuition, lab supplies, textbooks, tax, technology fee, and uniform.
- Website: https://pmi.edu/
- Address: 13750 E. Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, CO 80012
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 61.90%
Front Range Community College
Certified nursing assistants applying for admission to the practical nursing program at Front Range Community College must first complete the first-semester prerequisite courses before admittance. The prerequisite courses are anatomy and physiology and English composition. The practical nursing curriculum includes 43 credit hours of classroom lectures, hands-on lab, and clinical rotations at a local health care facility. Course topics include pharmacology calculations, basic health assessment for the practical nurse, alterations in adult health, practical nursing arts and skills, advancement into practical nursing, pharmacology for practical nursing, basic concepts of geriatric nursing, advancement into practical nursing, basic concepts of maternal-newborn nursing, basic concept of pediatric nursing, basic concepts of mental health nursing, and practical nursing clinical. Graduates will receive a Practical Nursing Certificate and be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Admission criteria:
- Obtain passing scores on the preadmission assessment
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or above – anatomy and physiology and English composition
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit a separate application to the practical nursing program
- Complete the online background check
- Provide documentation of current CPR certification
- Complete a urine drug screen
- Complete the health summary with documented records
Tuition costs $260.40 per credit hour for regular residents. Books and supplies are additional.
- Website: https://www.frontrange.edu
- Address: 3645 West 112th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80031
- Phone: (303) 404-5000
- Fax: (303) 466-1623
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
Pickens Technical College
Nurse aides who enroll in the practical nursing program at Pickens Technical College will receive an unsurpassed, equitable, and quality education to become a professional nurse. The curriculum will include onsite theory and simulation labs and off-site clinicals to provide students with the skills to record patient medical histories, administer intravenous medications, monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures or activities, administer basic healthcare or medical treatments, and apply bandages, dressings or splints. It covers 855 clock hours or 36 credit hours. Students must complete 7 credits of prerequisite courses. Areas of study include pharmacology calculations, alterations in adult health, basic assessment for practical nursing, practical nursing arts and skills, pharmacology, and advancement into practical nursing, concepts of maternal/newborn nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, geriatric nursing, and clinical experiences. The clinical experience begins after the first quarter and requires completion of 8-to-12-hour shifts for 2 to 3 days per week. Program graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for practical nurses.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Complete a physical form and ensure that it is signed and dated
- Have a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card
- Provide proof of immunization for Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tdap, Rubella, MMR, and current TB screen
- Complete a background check
- Complete fingerprinting as part of the background check process
- Complete a drug screen
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a grade C or better – English Composition, Basic Anatomy and Physiology, and Biology
- Must have current nurse aide certification and medical terminology – for exra points
- Provide proof of citizenship/legal residency
- Take the TEAS V Test and obtain a proficient score and a score of 58.7 or higher on the overall reading score.
The total program cost of $15,515 includes tuition, fees, student ID, clinical charges, books, and ATI CARP Assessment Packet. Addition costs include preadmission TEAS testing, clinical uniform, immunization, health exam, uniform, CPR class, and background check and drug screen.
- Website: https://www.pickenstech.org/
- Address: 500 Airport Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011
- Phone: (720) 502-8544
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 61.36%
Crystal G
Crystal is a certified Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for writing about nursing education. Through her articles, Crystal shares insights and tips to help fellow nurses enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. With a focus on practical advice and relevant topics, Crystal's writing is a valuable resource for nursing professionals seeking to advance their careers.