Certified nursing assistants are valuable members of any medical team, whether in hospitals, nursing homes, home health settings or other care facilities. These trained professionals assist doctors and nurses by carrying out patient care tasks and helping around the health facility. Working as a CNA is a rewarding job path, and it can also lead to other career opportunities in the medical field.
In Colorado, a CNA is officially known as a “certified nurse aide.” This certification is managed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. All CNAs in Denver must submit an application to the state in order to become certified. In order to receive approval from the state authorities, applicants must have received sanctioned training and demonstrated their competency.
Most applicants will need to pass an evaluation before becoming certified. This is called the NNAAP, and it involves a written or oral exam and a demonstration of practical skills. This test is administered by Pearson Vue and is offered at locations throughout the state. In Denver, tests are held at Community Health Institute. To take the test, applicants must register online through Pearson Vue. A fee of $135 covers both the written and skills portions of the test.
If you have already become certified as a CNA in another state, you may be able to apply for certification by endorsement. You must have received the appropriate training and passed an examination in that state in order for your request to be considered. You should apply online with the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations Online Services. A $10 fee is required.
Renewals of current or expired licenses are also conducted through the Online Services portal. If your license has expired, you will have to pay a penalty. Expirations of more than two years require that you pass the competency evaluation
TL;DR
Because certified nurse aides have direct contact with patients, receiving proper training is critical. Through a CNA program in Denver, you will learn basic nursing practices and other essential skills that will help you on the job, such as how to help patients with their personal care needs.
The average CNA salary in Denver is $34,290(BLS.gov). This is 14 percent higher than the national average for CNAs. The average starting salary for a Denver CNA is $27,914 per year.
Denver CNAs have many job opportunities available to them, such as one of the nine hospitals throughout the city. Additionally, CNAs can find work in nursing homes, with home health organizations, or through other medical agencies.
To become a CNA in Denver, you will need to attend classes and clinicals on a regular basis. Consistent attendance is a must, so it’s important that you have a reliable method of transportation.
Most streets in Denver run north-south or east-west. However, downtown roads run on diagonal lines.
Many downtown areas have on-street parking with meters. Rates begin at $1 per hour.
Be alert while driving because research shows that Colorado drivers often speed up quickly and slam on the brakes suddenly. However, despite using aggressive tactics, they are also known as courteous motorists.
Denver has two options for public transportation: bus and light rail. Both services are offered by RTD. Monthly passes allow you to save on fares, and one pass lets you ride both the bus and the light rail.
Bicycles are welcome downtown. In fact, the downtown area boasts over 20 miles of bike lanes. Walking is common as well.
Community College of Denver is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and has a main downtown campus as well as additional locations that focus on particular trades or career paths.
Students can take daytime, evening or weekend CNA classes. Programs take from 4 to 15 weeks. Classes are held at the school’s Auraria campus in downtown Denver or at the Lowry Health Sciences campus in the east Denver area. Tuition is $1107.75 plus fees.
Cherry Creek Building
1111 W Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: 303-556-2600
Program Name | Address | City | State | Zip | Phone |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pima Medical Institute - North | 7475 Dakin St, Ste 100 | Denver | CO | 80221 | 303-426-1800 |
Amberwood Court Care & Rehab Ctr | 4686 E Asbury Cir | Denver | CO | 80222 | 303-756-1566 |
Careprox Academy | 7000 N Broadway, Ste 204 | Denver | CO | 80221 | 720-285-7033 |
CEC Early College (f/k/a Fred A. Thomas) | 2650 Eliot St | Denver | CO | 80211 | 720-423-6600 |
Colorado Nurse Aide School | 6460 E Yale Ave, Unit E40 | Denver | CO | 80222 | 303-757-5858 |
Community College of Aurora | 9235 E 10th Dr | Denver | CO | 80230 | 303-340-7329 |
Community College of Denver | 1070 Alton Way | Denver | CO | 80230 | 303-365-8300 |
Community Health Institute | 4705 Paris St, #100 | Denver | CO | 80239 | 303-307-8855 |
Emily Griffith Technical College | 1860 Lincoln St, 506-A | Denver | CO | 80203 | 720-423-4700 |
Florence Crittenton High School | 26 S Zuni St | Denver | CO | 80223 | 720-423-7900 |
St. Joseph Hospital Foundation | 1375 E 19th Ave | Denver | CO | 80218 | 303-812-2000 |
Vista Academy Nursing Assistant Program | 4800 Telluride, Bldg 6 | Denver | CO | 80249 | 720-423-7679 |
You may be able to receive scholarship money to reduce or completely cover the costs of your Denver CNA training. As five-credit programs, CNA classes are not eligible for traditional financial aid. However, it is common for community and technical schools to offer assistance and funding so that an education is affordable for all students.