Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) are the primary bedside professionals for clients and patients in clients’ homes, long-term care centers, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals. The CNA assists patients and clients with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, exercise, and vital sign monitoring, such as temperature and blood pressure. The CNA has a lot of direct contact with clients, becoming the “eyes and ears” for the nurses and doctors. The Certified Nurse Aide can note abnormal signs or symptoms first, allowing the nurses and doctors to properly care for the patient.

CNA training in Colorado requires 75 hours of instruction. These hours are broken into 59 total hours of classroom training, along with 16 hours of on-site clinical training. At Beo Personal Care, we offer accelerated courses that last between two and four weeks. After you’ve completed training, you can work as a CNA for 120 days until you can take your state board examinations and get your permanent license.

Hospitals employ CNA’s in a variety of roles. Long-term care facilities are big employers of CNA’s and there are more than 20 LTC facilities in Colorado Springs alone. Rehabilitation hospitals also employ Certified Nurse Aides. Home care is another huge employer of CNA’s. Baby boomers are here followed closely by the Generation X population. Many families keep their seniors at home with compassionate outside support. Because Certified Nurse Aides have the skills to administer quality care and the licensing to be part of the healthcare team, they are in demand in the home care sector.

According to the 2020 Bureau of Labor and Colorado Employer reviews, a caregiver who has passed an approved Nurse Aide Training program along with the NNAAP exam can expect entry level pay of $14.00-$16.70/hour. That comes in at 11% higher than the national average. Colorado also reimburses family members who care for relatives in the home. This relatively new field offers $11.24-$16.00/hour and is a great boon to clients who are not eligible for traditional child/adult care systems. Nurse Aides are also eligible for Health and Dental Insurance, mileage and phone compensation, and tuition reimbursement as they further their knowledge base.

The Beo Training Center is approved for financial aid through the VA and MyCAA.

Veterans Assistance covers Veterans, Active Duty, Dependents (Spouse and Children), and Reservists. Apply for your benefits online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

MyCAA is another military benefit for spouses. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.

Pikes Peak Workforce Center pays for job training for adults and young adults (ages 16-25) in El Paso County. Check them out at https://ppwfc.org/, call (719) 667-3700, or email ppwfcinfo@elpaso.com.

REACH Pikes Peak is another resource to consider. They can be found at or reached by phone at (719) 358-8396.

Additionally, students that work with a federally funded skilled nursing facility or nursing home can receive free training. Still, the CNA will be required to work with the facility for a designated period. Federal law also states that any CNA who gets employment at these facilities within 12 months of getting the CNA certification can request reimbursement for specific fees and tuition fees.

CNA courses are designed to teach nursing assistants the necessary skills of caring for a patient. CNA classes instruct on patient care, basic hygiene, first aid, and communication. Most certified nursing assistant programs take between two and 12 weeks to complete, preparing the student to take the exam.

CNA programs can range from $400 to $1,400 in Colorado. Plus, you will have the cost of the exam and supplies to consider. Financial aid and tuition payment plans can make your training more affordable. For CNA renewals, you won’t need to take more courses, unless you feel the need to do so.

CNA classes in Colorado Springs teach students the skills needed to pass the exam. Programs consist of 80 hours of training, broken into classroom teaching, lab time, and clinical training. State-approved CNA programs teach curriculum covering the following areas:

  • Utilizing infection control procedures
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Safety and emergency procedures
  • Patient and resident rights
  • Helping patients achieve maximum independence
  • Recognizing health changes in patients
  • Personal care skills
  • Recognizing patient social services needs
  • Delivering restorative services to patients
  • Necessary nursing skills, such as taking and recording vital signs
  • Recognizing mental health needs of patients
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