Visit

Main Content Area

An Acute Care Nurse Aide student in tea; scrubs at Aims Community College

Acute Care Nurse Aide Certificate

Acute Care Nurse Aide Certificate

Are you a Colorado-certified nurse aide seeking exciting new career challenges? Due to demand from area hospitals for skilled providers, Aims developed the first acute care CNA certificate in Northern Colorado. (If you’re new to the field and considering becoming a nurse aide, start with the Nurse Aide Certificate.)

During this five-week program, you’ll receive 90 hours of hands-on training in advanced CNA skills that goes beyond what the State Board of Nursing requires for nurse aides. You’ll gain the skills to practice in an acute care setting, including sterile techniques, urinary care, cardiovascular monitoring and more. A 30-hour clinical rotation gives you the chance to apply all that you’ve learned in an acute care environment.

Help meet the demand for skilled acute care nurse aides in Northern Colorado and learn new skills that support acute care providers in hospitals.

There are specific program admission requirements for this certificate, including a mandatory orientation, and space is limited. If you’re excited to get started, read more about how to apply.

Expand the level of care you can offer patients by learning CNA hospital skills

In five weeks, you’ll learn in an in-person combination theory and lab model Monday through Thursday. You’ll complete a clinical rotation on Friday-Saturday-Sunday.

Here are some of the skills you’ll learn and apply:

  • The role of the CNA in a hospital setting
  • Sterile technique
  • Hospital emergency procedures including the CNA’s role in a cardiac arrest
  • Advanced urinary care skills including removal of an indwelling catheter
     
  • Advanced respiratory and cardiovascular monitoring skills, including obtaining an EKG, Holter monitoring and basic telemetry reading
  • Advanced nutrition care skills
  • Surgical patient care
     

Acute Care Nurse Aide Careers

Area hospitals in Northern Colorado have a high need for skilled, caring staff who are invested in excellent patient care. Acute care CNAs work in hospitals on medical floors and in ICUs providing support to medical and nursing teams. 


For employers, additional training provided during the CNA program is beneficial to have new CNAs join the workforce better prepared in the acute setting.

Julia L. Gentry Reinink
Chief Nursing Officer, Northern Colorado, Banner Health

Acute Care Nurse Aide Certificate Program Faculty and Staff

Aims Acute Care CNA instructors are experienced professionals who are passionate about teaching you the hands-on skills and bedside manner you’ll need to meet the high demand in the field. With small class sizes, you'll get plenty of one-on-one attention from instructors and ample opportunities to learn and practice with your fellow students.

  • Portrait of Heather Brown

    Heather Brown

    Professor, Nurse Aide, Med Prep
  • Kerry Noble headshot

    Kerry Noble

    Professor, Nurse Aide, Med Prep
  • Portrait of Shelly Powell

    Shelly Powell

    Professor, Nurse Aide, Med Prep