NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING
Now is the Time to Join this Exciting Career Field
Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals require a nurse aide to be certified for employment. In addition, most college nursing programs require completion of a nurse aide course prior to acceptance into a nursing program. Columbine Health Systems offers an education training to become a CNA (certified nursing assistant).
Instruction includes basic nursing assistant procedures, skills, restorative services, general household activities, patient care, safety, and emergency care. Students gain an understanding of the responsibilities involved in working with patients of all ages, in both wellness and illness, issues of mental health, patient rights, and patient/family interactions. Classroom instruction, lab, and clinical experience is offered. Now offering extended lab practice hours to help with your success. Click here to see these extended lab hours as well as directions to the lab.
The cost of our Nursing Assistant training program is $896.03, made payable to the Geriatric Education Centre via RegOnline, processing fees are included. In addition, you are required to complete a background screening, steps to complete this are located in the enrollment checklist below. Textbook is an optional $65, which would bring your overall class total to $964.23. If you prefer to purchase your textbook elsewhere you can find the information below.
Mosby’s Essentials for Nursing Assistants
by Sorrentino and Remmert
Edition #6
ISBN #: 9780323523929
Once you complete the course, you will need to register for your state test and make payment in the amount of $135.00 to the Colorado State Board of Nursing. Your instructor will be available to guide you through this process. Tuition reimbursement is available if hired and employed by one of the Columbine Health Systems' facilities for one year following the course end date.
The class options are:
Full-time Day Classes: These classes are held Monday-Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, then include 2 ½ days of clinical experience the following week in one of the Columbine facilities.
Part-time Evening Classes: These classes are held evenings from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm for a period of over 11 ½ weeks, includes 2 ½ days of clinical experience.
Part-time Classes: These classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm for 9 consecutive Fridays and Saturdays, then include 2 ½ days of clinical experience.
Clinicals: Below you will see each class offers 2 clinical groups. Each group can have a maximum of 10 students. You are not guaranteed a spot in one clinical group over the other. Students will be placed in one of the two offered clinical groups during their first day of class. They will have the opportunity to provide a preference, but it will be granted on a first come basis. Once the 1st clinical group is full, the remaining students will automatically be placed in the 2nd group.
Please click on the Class Schedule link below for specific dates for each class. Enrollment opens 3 months prior to the beginning of each class.
A $5.00 charge will be processed to your account if you request a course date change.
To apply for the training program, please review the training checklist and policies that describe the requirements to attend the course, and complete the online application. Due to the limited number of spots in each class, prospective students are not guaranteed a seat until all requirements have been met. This includes completing the enrollment application, submitting an approved criminal background check and payment of tuition in full.
For additional questions, contact our Geriatric Education Centre coordinator at 970-492-6230, Option 5.
Click here to view The Online Magazine for Certified Nursing Assistants.
Certified Nursing Assistant Career Guide.





Geriatric Education Centre
802 W. Drake Road, Suite 137
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
Phone: 970-494-6455
Fax: 970-494-6456
Brochure
- Job Summary
- Enrollment Checklist
- Training Policies
- Class Schedule
Provide direct resident care supervised by the Staff Development Coordinator and other nursing personnel. Assist in maintaining a positive physical, social, and psychosocial environment for the residents.
Step 1: The prospective student will apply for admission to the program by submitting a completed application to Columbine Health Systems Human Resources Department. All classroom instruction, lectures, materials, text books, quizzes, and tests are provided in English. In order to be successful, students must be able to read, write, comprehend, and speak English fluently.
Step 2: The prospective student must obtain a criminal background check and submit to Columbine Health Systems Human Resources Department prior to being considered for placement in a program. (Background check is only valid for 3 months.)
Step 3: The prospective student must obtain a TB skin test and/or Chest X-ray and submit results to Columbine Health Systems Human Resources Department prior to being considered for placement in a program.
Step 4: Proof of current influenza vaccination (October 1–April 30).
Step 5: Tuition will be processed following confirmation of application and approval of background check. No payment plans are accepted. Reimbursement of fees is as follows:
Cancellation from the program 7 or more business days before the start of the class will result in full tuition reimbursement minus a $75.00 cancellation fee and a $50.00 administrative processing fee.
Cancelling after the 7 business days before class will result in no reimbursement of funds, regardless of the reason for class termination.
Step 6: The student will ensure they have the proper attire for clinical days or attendance at clinicals will not be allowed. Proper attire includes:
Close-toed shoes
Forest-green scrubs (one set provided)
Gait belt (provided)
Name tag (provided)
Nursing Assistant Training Program Policy
Candidate Admission, Course Completion, and Dismissal Policy
Full Time Day Classes (20 students maximum,
10 students maximum for each clinical group)
Class # |
Dates |
318 | January 9 – January 21, 2019 (1st clinical group Jan 22 – 24) (2nd clinical group Jan 28 – 30) |
319 | January 22 – February 1, 2019 (1st clinical group Feb 4 – 6) (2nd clinical group Feb 11 – 13) |
320 | February 4 – February 14, 2019 (1st clinical group Feb 18 – 20) (2nd clinical group Feb 25 – 27) |
321 | February 18 – February 28, 2019 (1st clinical group Mar 4 – 6) (2nd clinical group Mar 11 – 13) |
322 | March 4 – March 14, 2019 (1st clinical group Mar 18 – 20) (2nd clinical group Mar 25 – 27) |
323 | March 18 – March 28, 2019 (1st clinical group Apr 1 – 3) (2nd clinical group Apr 8 – 10) |
324 | April 1 – April 11, 2019 (1st clinical group Apr 15 – 17) (2nd clinical group Apr 22 – 24) |
325 | April 15 – April 25, 2019 (1st clinical group Apr 29 – May 1) (2nd clinical group May 6 – 8) |
326 | April 29 – May 9, 2019 (1st clinical group May 13 – 15) (2nd clinical group May 20 – 22) |
327 | May 13 – May 23, 2019 (1st clinical group May 28 – 30) (2nd clinical group June 3 – 5) |
328 | May 28 – June 7, 2019 (1st clinical group June 10 – 12) (2nd clinical group June 17 – 19) |
329 | June 10 – June 20, 2019 (1st clinical group June 24 – 26) (2nd clinical group July 1 – 3) |
330 | June 24 – July 5, 2019 (no class July 4) (1st clinical group July 8 – 10) (2nd clinical group July 15 – 17) |
331 | July 8 – July 18, 2019 (1st clinical group July 22 – 24) (2nd clinical group July 29 – 31) |
332 | July 22 – Aug 1, 2019 (1st clinical group Aug 5 – 7) (2nd clinical group Aug 12 – 14) |
333 | Aug 5 – Aug 15, 2019 (1st clinical group Aug 19 – 21) (2nd clinical group Aug 26 – 28) |
334 | Aug 19 – Aug 29, 2019 (1st clinical group Sept 3 – 5) (2nd clinical group Sept 9 – 11) |
335 | Sept 3 – Sept 13, 2019 (1st clinical group Sept 16 – 18) (2nd clinical group Sept 23 – 25) |
336 | Sept 16 – Sept 26, 2019 (1st clinical group Sept 30 – Oct 2) (2nd clinical group Oct 7 – 9) |
337 | Sept 30 – Oct 10, 2019 (1st clinical group Oct 14 – 16) (2nd clinical group Oct 21 – 23) |
338 | Oct 14 – Oct 24, 2019 (1st clinical group Oct 28 – 30) (2nd clinical group Nov 4 – 6) |
339 | Oct 28 – Nov 7, 2019 (1st clinical group Nov 11 – 13) (2nd clinical group Nov 18 – 20) |
340 | Nov 11 – Nov 21, 2019 (1st clinical group Nov 25 – 27) (2nd clinical group Dec 2 – 4) |
341 | Nov 22 – Dec 6, 2019 (no class Nov 28-29) (1st clinical group Dec 9 – 11) (2nd clinical group Dec 16 – 18) |
342 | Dec 9 – Dec 19, 2019 (1st clinical group Dec 23, 26, 27) (2nd clinical group Dec 30, Jan 2-3) |
343 | Dec 20, 2019 – Jan 7, 2020 (no class Dec 24, 25, 31, Jan 1) (1st clinical group Jan 8 – 10) (2nd clinical group Jan 13 – 15) |
Clinicals: 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (2 ½ days) times & days are subject to change
Part Time Day Classes (10 students maximum)
Class # |
Dates |
Part Time 15 | April 26 & 27, May 3 & 4, May 10 & 11, May 17 & 18, May 24 (clinicals at Centre Avenue Health & Rehab May 31, June 7 & 8) |
Part Time 16 | Sept 27 & 28, Oct 4 & 5, Oct 11 & 12, Oct 18 & 19, Oct 25 (clinicals at Centre Avenue Health & Rehab Oct 26, Nov 1 & 2) |
Clinicals: 6:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (2 ½ days) times & days are subject to change
Part Time Evening Classes (10 students maximum)
Class # |
Dates |
E33 | Feb 11 – April 29, 2019 (Mon, Wed) (clinicals April 15, 17, 22, 24, 29) (Mon, Wed) |
E34 | June 3 – Aug 19, 2019 (Mon, Wed) (clinicals August 5, 7, 12, 14, 19) (Mon, Wed) |
E35 | Sept 9 – Nov 25, 2019 (Mon, Wed) (clinicals Nov 11, 13, 18, 20, 25) (Mon, Wed) |
Clinicals: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. times & days are subject to change, held at
Centre Avenue Health & Rehab