You’ve decided that you want to pursue a rewarding career where you can help people and feel good about what you do. You also want to make sure that your new career will be in high demand, offering job security for years to come, no matter where you live. That’s how you came to the conclusion that a job in healthcare, and specifically as a certified nurse aide, would be the best choice. So you’ve made the big decision…what’s next? Enrolling in a CNA certification program will be your next step, but chances are you have a lot of questions that need to be answered first.

The team at Northern Colorado Training Institute can adequately prepare you for a career in healthcare. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff will guide you through coursework and training to help you handle whatever comes your way. To get you started on your journey, we’ve comprised a list of frequently asked questions. Read through them, and if you have any additional questions or if you’re ready to sign up, give Northern Colorado Training Institute a call.

What are the requirements for getting CNA certification?

If you’re a brand new nurse aid, the requirements are two-fold. You must complete a state-approved training program (like the one offered by NCTI), and you must pass the nurse aide exam within two years after you submit your application.

There are other requirements if you have previous nurse training or have been licensed in another state. To review the full list of eligibility requirements, refer to the Colorado Nurse Aide Handbook.

How does Northern Colorado Training Institute’s CNA program work?

NCTI has three different programs tailored to fit your schedule and learning style. Each program offers different options such as being able to complete classes through a blend of online and in-person learning or flexible scheduling that allows you to complete your studies as your schedule allows. Regardless of which program you choose, all three programs include the following:

A Colorado State Board of Nursing approved certificate
80+ hours of coursework including classroom instruction and hands-on practical experience
The option to complete your certificate in as little as three weeks or up to 90 days
Certification in basic life support (BLS)
All textbooks and course materials
Online access to CNA courses

What are the admission requirements for NCTI’s CNA training program?

You don’t have to worry about previous experience or having a medical background to be admitted into our CNA program. Our admission requirements are quite simple:

You must be at least 16-years old
You are able to read, write, and speak English
Pass a criminal background check and urine drug screen
Provide proof of citizenship or legal residency
Provide proof of receiving Tuberculosis and Influenza vaccines

Where are the NCTI training centers located?

We don’t want you to spend all of your time driving to classes which is why we have two training centers conveniently located in Northern Colorado. With locations in Loveland and Northglenn, you’ll be prepared to launch your new career in just a handful of weeks.

What types of things can I expect to learn during the hands-on portion of my training?

As previously mentioned, the CNA training program includes both coursework and hands-on training. The practical (hands-on) portion will consist of laboratory exercises as well as real-life clinical training under the guidance of a registered nurse. Some of the basic skills you will learn and perform will include taking vital signs, how to safely lift and move patients, as well as patient hygiene, grooming, and nutrition.

What kind of success rate does NCTI have?

Are you concerned about being able to pass your CNA exam? At Northern Colorado Training Institute, we are proud to announce that 100% of our students passed their exam after taking our CNA courses. You can’t get much more reassurance than that.

What is not included in the NCTI program?

While we’ve tried to make our CNA program as inclusive as possible, there are few things that you’ll be responsible for, including:

Immunizations
Transportation
Wristwatch with a second hand
Out of state background check
Cost of the colorado CNA certification exam

I want to enroll in the hybrid program with online classes — Do I need a brand new computer?

You don’t need a new computer, but there are certain version requirements for the browser you are using. Regardless of which one you have, the best thing to do is to just update your browser to the newest version available. You’ll also want to make sure to have the most current version of Adobe® Flash Player.

What is the CNA exam like?

There are two parts to the exam, a written portion, and a skills portion. Both are administered on the same day and you must pass both parts in order to be certified and listed on the Colorado Nurse Aide Registry.

The written exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions and you have two hours to complete it. During the skills portion of the exam, you will be asked to perform five randomly selected nurse aide skills and you will be given 30 minutes to complete them. You must perform all five skills correctly in order to pass.

Where does the CNA exam take place?

The State Board of Nursing has contracted with Pearson VUE, a nationally recognized leading provider of testing services. Pearson VUE will create, score, and report the results of the written exam and skills evaluation. The nurse aide examination (both parts) will be given at a regional test site. Please visit www.pearsonvue.com or call (877) 333-5707 to determine the schedule of the test site most convenient to you.

Are you ready to take the next step?

So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to take the first step toward your new career? If your answer is “yes!” visit our website to register on-line.

But, if you have additional questions about our training program or you’d like to talk with a staff member, contact the Northern Colorado Training Institute. For more information specifically about the CNA exam, check out the Colorado Nurse Aide Handbook found on our website.