CNA Classes Thornton, CO

Nursing will offer rich rewards if you enjoy helping others. You can prepare for a role on the nursing team in a matter of weeks by enrolling in a Certified Nursing Assistant program. You’ll work under the supervision of a licensed nurse to provide direct care to patients or residents in clinics, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Job duties might involve feeding, bathing, and grooming residents, setting up equipment, assisting patients with mobility, escorting patients to operating and treatment rooms, monitoring vital signs, and assisting nurses with medical procedures.

The explosive growth of the general population and rising cases of chronic disorders among the elderly creates demand for health care professionals. Since demand is high, employment opportunities will be available for new CNA graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for nurse aides will be 8 percent in the next decade. The annual salary for CNAs was reported as $29,640 in 2019.

Nightingale School of Nursing Arts

Nightingale Nursing School of Arts offers an affordable CNA certification program that prepares students for employment in nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and rehab centers. The curriculum includes classroom, hands-on lab, and clinical activities to support the development of basic patient care skills. Students will learn nursing fundamentals, infection control, measuring fluid intake and output, nutrition, body structure and function, communication skills, and collaboration with the healthcare team. The clinical sessions will be conducted in an approved facility that will give students the opportunity to care for patients in a real-world, fast-paced environment. These sessions conducted under the supervision of a licensed nurse instructor will emphasize skills such as positioning, bathing, dressing, vital signs, and the art of caregiving. Nightingale offers CPR certification, affordable tuition, and job placement assistance to all students. The duration of the program is two weeks.

Admission criteria:

  • Submit a completed application
  • Attend an interview with the program director
  • Must be 16 years of age or older
  • Provide proof of completing high school
  • Pay the full tuition one week before the start of classes

Tuition for the program is $1000. It includes skills training and clinical fees, state exam fee, CPR certification for an additional $50, and the nurse aide textbook.

New Directions Nurse Aide

New Directions prepares students for an exciting new career in the health care field. The curriculum covers 104 contact hours of theory and practical instruction in a skilled nursing facility. Course topics include body structure and function, basic nursing skills, infection control, vital signs, rehabilitation and restorative treatments, observation and reporting, Alzheimer’s care, common diseases, personal care, and communication. Experienced nursing professionals will conduct the training in the classroom and at the clinical site. Upon completion of the requirements, graduates will be eligible to take the state exam at New Direction’s facility. Day and evening classes can be completed in four weeks. A fast-track, two-week option is also available.

Admission criteria:

  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Must have completed two semesters of college to be eligible for the online class option
  • Submit a completed application for admission
  • Must be 16 years or older

The program cost of $895 includes the course textbook. Payment plans are available.

  • Website: https://www.newdirectionsnurse.com/
  • Address: 2501 East 104th Avenue, Building C, Thornton, CO 80233
  • Phone: 720-550-9090

Avanza Training

Avanza Training prepares students for state certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The state-approved curriculum includes 40 hours of theory in the classroom or online, 22 hours of skills lab covering catheter care, foot care, and more, and 16 hours of clinical activities conducted at the school in a simulated environment. Students learn how to change bed linens, feed patients, assist patients in and out of bed, answer patient calls, communicate with patients and members of the health care team, collect patient specimens, and measure vital signs. New classes begin each month. A two-week accelerated class and a four-week evening class are available.

Admission criteria:

  • Complete a criminal background check
  • Submit a completed application for admission
  • Must be 16 years or older

A flexible payment plan is available for students.

Compass CNA

Compass CNA offers a nurse aide training program that is approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The curriculum comprises of 80 hours of theory and practical instruction in the nurse assistant role as it applies to patient care. Course topics include communication, resident rights, personal care skills, nutrition and hydration, death and dying, vital signs, observation, body systems, rehabilitation care, Alzheimer’s care, dementia, infection prevention and control, emergency and first aid, resident rights, and reporting to the nurse. Students will learn through lectures, onsite labs, video demonstrations, and hands-on clinical simulation. Optional extra open lab practice is available for all students. Compass is a regional test site so students have the option to take the test in the familiar environment.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Must speak, write and read English
  • Submit to a background check
  • Complete the required drug screening
  • Submit documentation of flu vaccination, negative TB test, and negative drug test result
  • Must purchase uniforms for the clinical activities and watch with a second hand

The program cost of $980 includes the tuition, textbook, skills videos, and additional open lab practice. Students must cover the cost for the background check, state exam fee, and lab supplies.

  • Website: https://www.compasscna.com/
  • Address: 108 West Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
  • Phone: 303-484-9650
  • Email: start@compasscna.com

Agape Angelicum School of Nursing Arts

The Agape Angelicum School of Nursing Arts trains adults to become confident Certified Nurse Aides. Through 80 hours of theory and clinical activities, students will develop knowledge and skills to pass the written and skills components of the state exam. Experienced instructors will highlight the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, prevention of infections, communication in the health care environment, rehabilitative and restorative care, assisting patients with the activities of daily living, positioning and turning patients, and measuring and recording vital signs. Agape maintains a strict attendance policy in line with the state’s stipulated requirements. Students who are consistently absent or late will be dismissed from the program. Upon successful completion of the requirements students will receive a certificate of completion to confirm their eligibility to sit for the state certification exam. New classes begin every Monday. Classes meet Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Admission criteria:

  • Pass a background check
  • Submit a negative 2-step TB/PPD test and physical exam report
  • Provide immunization records
  • Must be able to read and speak English
  • Must have current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Professionals

Agape offers affordable tuition and flexible payment plans.

APLMED Academy INC

Students enrolled in the nurse aide program at APLMED Academy can complete the requirements for state certification in just 5 weeks. Theory and hands-on practice prepare students for success on the written and skills components on the state exam. Course topics include basic nursing skills, anatomy and physiology, the role and responsibility of the nurse aide, positioning and turning, infection control, patient’s rights and independence, vital signs, communication techniques, personal care, and Alzheimer’s care. Students will have the option to take the state exam at APLMED’s state-approved testing center. APLMED offers affordable tuition, short training times, small class sizes, flexible class schedules, and job placement assistance. New classes begin every five weeks.

Admission criteria:

  • Provide proof of completing high school or GED
  • Provide a valid government-issued state ID and social security card
  • Provide immunization records – influenza and negative TB test
  • Pass a background check
  • Provide drug screen test results
  • Must be able to read and speak English
  • Must have current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Professionals

The cost of the program is $890. The registration fee of $100 is not included in the cost. Flexible payment options are offered to all students.

Pickens Technical College

Pickens Technical College prepares students for work as a nurse aide in hospitals, extended care facilities, and home health. The curriculum exceeds state requirements for nurse aide training with up to 105 contact hours to theory and hands-on training. The theory covers 75 hours of classroom and lab time to develop knowledge and skills in preparation for the clinical experience. The 30-hour clinical component will provide students with patient care opportunities in a real-world environment. At the conclusion of the program, students will earn a nurse aide certificate. Day and evening schedules are available. The classroom sessions meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. The clinical sessions are scheduled from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Admission criteria:

  • Provide proof of completing high school or GED
  • Provide a valid government-issued state ID and social security card
  • Provide immunization records – influenza and negative TB test
  • Pass a background check
  • Provide drug screen test results
  • Must have current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Professionals

The cost of the program is $1,314.52. It includes tuition, fees, student ID, clinical charges, and book. Additional costs for navy blue scrubs, watch with a second hand, state board exam, and flu shot must be covered by the student.

Community College of Aurora – CentreTech Campus

The nurse aide certificate program offered by the Community College of Aurora teaches students how to perform the fundamental duties of the nurse assistant. The program is divided into two modules which students must register for separately. The first module comprises of 70 contact hours (4 credit hours) of theory covering basic nursing skills, personal care skills, restorative services, safety and emergency care, cultural sensitivity, ethical behaviors, OSHA and HIPAA regulations, and patients’ rights. The second module covers 30 contact hours (1 credit hour) dedicated to the application of knowledge and skills gained in the theoretical component of the program. Students must complete NUA 101 with a grade C or higher to participate in the clinical externship. They will be prepared to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program for State Certification.

Admission criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years or older
  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Complete a satisfactory drug screen and physical exam
  • Provide proof of immunization
  • Must demonstrate English language competency

The cost of tuition and fees for the program is $1,206.47. Students are responsible for the purchase of scrubs, textbooks, and supplies.

Arapahoe Community College

Arapahoe Community College’s nurse aide certificate program prepares students for entry-level employment as a Certified Nurse Aide. The goal of the program is to support the development of basic nursing skills including the use of assistive devices, activities of daily living, and recognition of the emotional, social, and individual rights of patients. These core skills will be taught and developed in the lab before transitioning to a health care agency where students will practice in a real-world setting.  Program graduates will be qualified to take the state nurse aide exam to become a Certified Nurse Aide.

Admission criteria:

  • Complete the application for admission to ACC
  • Complete the criminal background check initiated by ACC
  • Submit documentation of immunization
  • Submit a satisfactory drug screen
  • Register in MyClinicalExchange
  • Attend the online Nurse Aide Program Orientation
  • Obtain Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers through the American Heart Association

The estimated cost of tuition for the 6-credit program is $900 for resident students.

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.