Aims Community College CNA Program

The Aims Community College Nurse Aide Certificate program offers a fast-track entry into healthcare through comprehensive certified nursing assistant training designed for students who want to help people and work in healthcare settings. This program serves career changers seeking meaningful work, recent high school graduates exploring healthcare opportunities, and working adults looking for accessible professional development in just a few weeks.

This nurse aide program in Greeyley and Fort Lupton, Colorado provides essential skills training for employment in hospitals, home healthcare, and long-term care settings. The CNA classes at Aims Community College combine classroom learning, hands-on lab experience, and real-world clinical rotations to prepare students for success. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to take the NNAAP Nurse Aide Certification exam administered by the Colorado Board of Nursing to become licensed Certified Nurse Aides.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: 5-to-6 weeks with 110 hours of learning experience
• Cost of Program: Estimated total costs range from $850.68 (in-district) to $2,835.68 (out-of-state), including tuition, fees, materials, and required health documentation
• Accreditation: Contact the program directly for more information about accreditation status
• State Exam Pass Rate: Contact the program directly for more information about current pass rates
• CNA Program Schedule: Day and evening program options available, plus hybrid online and lab option

CNA Training Structure

The Aims Community College certified nursing assistant program provides comprehensive preparation through structured coursework, laboratory practice, and extensive clinical experience in real healthcare settings.

• Classroom Learning: Students complete NUA-1001 (Nurse Aide Health Care Skills), covering basic nursing skills, communication skills, restorative services, personal care skills, safety and emergency care. The curriculum includes knowledge and principles of asepsis, OSHA and HIPAA regulations, ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, mental health principles, and patient/resident rights. Students can choose between online coursework or traditional classroom settings.
• Clinical Experience: The program includes a 30-hour clinical rotation where students apply knowledge and skills gained in coursework to actual patient care through NUA-1070 (Nurse Aide Clinical Experience). Students work with real patients in clinical settings within the community, gaining hands-on experience under professional supervision.
• Exam Preparation: The program prepares students to take the NNAAP Nurse Aide Certification exam administered by the Colorado Board of Nursing. Passing this exam qualifies graduates to pursue work as Certified Nurse Aides in various healthcare settings.

Admission Requirements

Aims Community College has specific requirements for entry into the CNA program:

• Age Prerequisites: Students must be at least 16 years of age to participate in the program.
• Admission Process: The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis in the order students sign up to attend orientation. Students must sign up for orientation to maintain their position, and those who do not attend orientation go to the bottom of the waiting list.
• Registration Requirements: Students must be registration-ready to hold their spot in the program. Any holds or registration issues will cause students to forfeit their seat to the next student in line. Both courses (NUA-1001 and NUA-1070) require permission of instructor and department approval.
• Additional Requirements: Please contact the program directly for the most up-to-date admission requirements and specific documentation needed.

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

The program accommodates students with varied schedules through multiple learning format options:

• Schedule Options: Day and evening program options are available to accommodate different student schedules and work commitments.
• Format Flexibility: Students can choose between a hybrid online and lab option or traditional classroom setting for the theoretical portion of their education. All students complete hands-on lab work and clinical rotations regardless of format choice.
• Course Structure: The program consists of two co-requisite courses that must be taken together: NUA-1001 (4 credits) and NUA-1070 (0.25 to 6 credits), totaling 5 credits.
• Enrollment Process: Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis based on orientation attendance, making early registration important for securing preferred scheduling options.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

• In-District Students: Estimated total program cost of $850.68 including tuition and fees ($485), state testing ($135), textbooks ($59.43), and additional required materials and health documentation
• Out-of-District Students: Estimated total program cost of $1,090.68 with higher tuition and fees ($725) but same additional costs for materials and requirements
• Out-of-State Students: Estimated total program cost of $2,835.68 reflecting significantly higher tuition and fees ($2,470) for non-resident students
• Additional Required Expenses:
  • State testing fee: $135
  • Textbooks and optional workbook: $59.43
  • Gait belt: $16.00
  • Background check and drug screen: $100.25 minimum
  • Two sets of teal scrubs: approximately $55 per set
  • Various health requirements (TB test, vaccines) with costs varying by provider
• Financial Planning Note: All cost estimates are subject to change without notice and should be used as a guide only. Contact the admissions office with questions about residency status which affects tuition rates.

How to Apply

To enroll in the Aims Community College CNA program, follow these essential steps:

Step 1: Complete Reading Assessment

Contact the Testing Center at [email protected] to schedule the Reading Accuplacer assessment, which must be completed before attending orientation. For Fort Lupton testing, call (303) 857-4022. Alternatively, bring proof of college-level English completion with grade C or better, ACT score of 18+, or SAT score of 470+.

Step 2: Register for Mandatory Orientation

Sign up for orientation as early as possible since enrollment follows first-come, first-served order based on when you register for orientation. Doors lock promptly at scheduled times (10 a.m. and 5 p.m.) with no late admissions permitted.

Step 3: Attend Orientation Session

Bring required proof of reading assessment to orientation. If under 18, your parent or guardian must attend with you. At orientation’s end, you can register for classes in the order you signed up for orientation.

Step 4: Complete Health and Background Requirements

Before your first class, obtain required vaccinations, complete TB testing, and submit background check and drug screen results.

Upcoming Orientation Dates:

• May 12: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Cornerstone 101) – Fall 2025 classes
• June 9: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Allied Health Sciences, room 250) – Fall 2025 classes
• July 7: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Allied Health Sciences, room 103) – Fall 2025 classes
• August 11: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Allied Health Sciences, room 111) – Fall 2025 classes
• September 15: 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Allied Health Sciences, room 250) – Fall 2025 classes

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution Name: Aims Community College

Campus Locations:

• Greeley Campus: 5401 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80634 (primary location for CNA program orientations and classes)
• Fort Lupton Campus: 260 College Avenue, Fort Lupton, CO 80621

Contact Information:

• Testing Center Contact: [email protected]
• Fort Lupton Testing: (303) 857-4022
• Program Webpage: https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/nurse-aide-certificate
• Admission Requirements: https://www.aims.edu/degrees-and-certificates/nurse-aide/program-admission-requirements

Orientation Locations (Greeley Campus):

• Cornerstone Building: Room 101 (May orientations)
• Allied Health and Sciences Building: Various rooms (250, 103, 111) depending on session
• Campus Map: Available at https://www.aims.edu/node/10144 for building locations

Additional Resources

Students have access to comprehensive program support and educational resources:

• Program Requirements: Detailed admission requirements available at https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/nurse-aide/program-admission-requirements
• Department Webpage: Complete program information and contact details at https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/nurse-aide
• Colorado Board of Nursing: NNAAP Nurse Aide Certification exam information available at https://dpo.colorado.gov/Nursing/CNAApplications
• Expert Faculty: Access to experienced healthcare professionals including department chair Shelly Powell and program coordinator Kendra Merriott, along with multiple professors and assistant instructors with direct healthcare experience
• Career Pathway Planning: Program serves as excellent preparation for advanced healthcare careers including nursing, radiologic technology, clinical medical assisting, and surgical technology

Summary and Next Steps

The Aims Community College CNA program in Colorado provides fast, comprehensive training for aspiring certified nursing assistants through expert instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and real-world clinical experience. With flexible scheduling options, experienced faculty, and preparation for state certification in just 5-to-6 weeks, this program offers an accessible entry point into the growing healthcare field.

If you’re still exploring your options, consider researching other CNA programs throughout Colorado to find the perfect fit for your educational goals, schedule, and career aspirations.