Certified Nursing Aide (CNA)

Obtain general college admission to Colorado Northwestern Community College through our application page.

* The State of Colorado mandates that incoming students to Colorado's state-supported institutions of higher education take an assessment test of basic skills, either the CNCC guided self assessment, or ACT.

Next CNA/nurse aid session starts on:

August 31st 2026

Please contact Becky McCauley for more information.

Complete the application and Applicant Statement of Intent forms for the CNA program. For questions email Becky McCauley. 

CNA application Applicant Statement of Intent

Provide Proof of Immunizations: These can be obtained from your private health care provider or your local public health office. Contact the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association for an appointment at 970.824.8233 or 970.879.1632. 

• • • • Measles, Mumps and Rubella: You must have proof of immunity, vaccination (2 doses). 
      • Tetanus (TD or Tetanus-Diphtheria): You must have a vaccination within the past 10 years. 
      • Tuberculosis: A two-step TB screening will be completed/ documented prior to clinical/client contact.
      • Hepatitis B: This is highly recommended for health care workers and is a series of 3 shots; Meningococcal vaccine or waiver 2
      • COVID-19: Beginning in 2020 healthcare facilities that provide clinical experiences for our CNA program are REQUIRING the Covid-19 vaccination and booster immunizations. CNCC does NOT require the Covid Vaccine; however, to perform and be accepted into a clinical rotation you must show proof of vaccination at this time.

* Submit all immunization records to Becky McCauley

Criminal Background Check
Following conditional acceptance, nursing students are required to submit to a criminal background check. Failure to meet the criteria for either will prevent admission into the program. See the following link for the list of CCCS Disqualifying Offenses.

Minimum Functional Abilities
Nursing students are required to meet certain minimum functional abilities in order to succeed in this course of study (please see link below). Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Minimum Functional Abilities.

Visit CastleBranch and select CNA OC88: Background Check

 

Please visit Student Services or Allied Health Department to complete course registration.

AHA Basic Life Support Certification: Complete an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR class. Please take the AHA - BLS/CPR Course for Health Care Providers  PRIOR to attending nurse aid courses. You will need to take the online certification section and print the certificate, then contact the CNCC Allied Health Department to schedule the practical skills section. You will be required to present your online section certificate at the start of the practical skills session, so please bring it with you. Contact Becky McCauley for more information.

Dress Code: The student will be required to wear scrubs, appropriate footwear, a watch with a second hand, and a CNCC student name tag at all times while in a clinical facility. No jewelry will be permitted other than a wedding band. Long nails, excessive make-up, or perfume are not permitted.

Financial Aid:There may be financial assistance available through the College (contact your local CNCC campus), the Colorado Workforce Center, or through a potential employer.

NATCEP: A nurse aide who pays for a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and becomes employed by a facility (that received Medicare/Medicaid funds) within 12 months of date of certification must be reimbursed by the facility, prorated for the portion of the 12-month period that the individual was employed by the facility.

“Pursuant to Section 483.152(c) of the Federal Rules and Regulations related to Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEP), a long-term care facility(“facility”) that receives Medicare or Medicaid funds must reimburse a nurse aide who pays for a NATCEP and becomes employed by the facility within 12 months of date of certification, prorated for the portion of the 12-month period that the individual was employed by the facility.”