Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

The Nursing Aide course prepares students for the Colorado State Nurse Aide Certification NNAAP® Exam while providing students a foundation in Nurse Aide theory and skills. Students will learn the scope of practice and multiple proficiencies of working in an interdisciplinary team to provide holistic care to patients and residents. Students will participate in a minimum of 16 hours of hands-on care to residents during supervised clinical learning experiences at a local Long-Term Care facility. Content includes: introduction to the nursing aide role, communication skills, exploration of health care settings, ethical and legal issues, cultural sensitivity, patient/resident rights, infection control, safety and body mechanics, measures and records vital signs, admission, transfer, and discharge, bedmaking and caring for patients’ environment, personal care, nutrition and fluid balance, toileting, restorative care, and end-of-life care.

Note: Participation in CNA Clinicals requires students to provide documentation of active BLS CPR certification; cleared background check, drug screen, and TB screening; up-to-date immunization records with Chickenpox/Varivax, Tetanus, MMR, Hepatitis B vaccinations. Optional but recommended vaccinations include seasonal influenza and COVID-19.

Grades: 11-12

Prerequisites: (offered on select Saturdays at CCIC or through a third-party provider)

Length: 1 Semester

Credits: 1 Credit (.5 CTE / .5 Life Science)

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association CPR/FAS/AED & NNAAP Colorado State Nurse Aide Certification NNAAP® Exam (Written and Skills)

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Certification

After successfully completing the Certified Nurse Aide course, students are eligible to apply for and test for the State CNA Exam (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program - NNAAP). The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program is an examination program designed to determine minimal competency to become a certified nurse aide in Colorado. Credentia is the authorized administrator of the NNAAP in Colorado.

The NNAAP Examination is made up of both a Written examination and a Skills evaluation. Applicants must pass (with a Satisfactory score) both parts in order to be certified and listed on the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry.

Important: You must not log into the new system until you receive an email containing your login ID, a web link to activate your account and an account authorization code. You will only receive this email after your training program uploads your training program completion date.

Step-by-Step:

Certified Nurse Aide Certification

Eligibility

The CCIC CNA Program Coordinator will submit your information to Credentia verifying completion of a state-approved training program. To be eligible for the Colorado State exam, students must meet the following requirements:

Earn a cumulative 70% in the CNA class.
Complete the written CNA course exam and final skills check-off.
Complete 16 hours of clinicals.
Maintain a 90% attendance rate.

This allows you to follow the (E1) eligibility route to test as a New Nurse Aide.

Credentia Account

Once the CNA Program Coordinator submits the roster to Credentia, students will receive an email. This email will contain a login ID, a weblink to activate a Credentia CNA365 account and an account authorization code.

You will need to know the following:

Your social security number
Your eligibility route (E1 for new nurse aide)
You must provide at least one valid phone number.
You must have a valid email address.

Create an account with our online CNA365 system to register for testing by clicking the "Sign Up" link on the login page. You will need to submit an application for testing in order to register for exams.

We highly recommend that you read the Registration Quick Reference Guide with detailed instructions on how to register online for your exam BEFORE you begin the registration process.

Attention Pearson VUE System Users!

If you previously had an online Pearson VUE account (PCM) to register for examinations, you'll need to create a new CNA365 online account with Credentia. Click here to login and then click the "Sign Up" link on the login page.

When you create a new CNA365 account, all of the data from your old Pearson VUE online account will carry over to your new Credentia CNA365 account.

Register & Schedule

After creating an account, you can register and schedule your nurse aide exam(s).

How to Register for Exams

Applicants must pass the nurse aide exam within two (2) years (24 months) after completing the online application.

We highly recommend that you read the Registration Quick Reference Guide with detailed instructions on how to register online for your exam BEFORE you begin the registration process.

Fee

The exam fees are:

Written - $50
Oral - Spanish or English - $50
Skills - $85

Payment must be in the form of a credit card or pre-paid debit card, a gift card, or via an electronic voucher. Personal checks and cash will not be accepted. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable once submitted.

This fee is not included in the CCIC CNA course fee.

For information about scholarship vouchers or financial aid, contact Amit Singh at asingh8@cherrycreekschools.org.

Exam Results

You will receive your written score report at the test center after you finish the written (or English or Spanish oral) examination. You can also view your score report online by logging in to your Credentia account.

You can view your skills evaluation score report online. Score reports are generally available within 24 hours after a testing event is completed for the day.

Examination results will not be given over the phone.

After successfully passing both the Written examination and the Skills evaluation, your name will be placed on the Colorado State registry within 10 business days.

Certification

Certifications can be printed on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website.

After you have been certified as a nurse aide, you MUST inform the State Board of Nursing about any changes in your contact information. To change your address, telephone number, or email address after you have been certified: https://dpo.colorado.gov/UpdateContact

Name and address changes are required by law to be submitted within thirty (30) days of this change.

Helpful Links

Chrystal Thomas, RN, MSN ED

Program Coordinator & Certified Nurse Aide Instructor

Email M s. Thomas

Christine Gossman, RN

Certified Nurse Aide Instructor

Email Ms. Gossman