Attending Nursing school to become a registered nurse, RN, in Colorado tends to be expensive because an RN takes at least two years of college course work. Becoming a certified nursing aide, CNA, may be a temporary job while you go to school to become an RN. The health care industry is one of the few job markets unaffected by the recent down turn in the economy and Colorado’s eight percent unemployment.
The Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence stated that 32 percent of the nurses in Colorado were 55 years and up. This means that the state of Colorado will retire about 2,000 nurses a year. This means the health care industry will be facing a hiring frenzy for trained nurses in the next 10 years. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment expects the CNA field to grow by 26 percent in the next five years. These stats all point to a great time to be in the health care industry and more specifically the nursing field.
In addition to nursing shortages, Colorado is still growing at a rate of 80,000 to 100,000 new residents annually. The majority of the people coming to Colorado will be seniors. Also, state and national reforms could give more people access to medical care increasing the already strained health care industry. Reforms in health care will increase the need of CNAs in the state of Colorado.
The average CNA makes from $20,000 to $26,000 a year. Most CNAs are doing shift work and working eight hour shifts because of the demands of the job. CNAs working for long term care facilities seem to be getting better benefits and pay.
Students wanting to become a CNA need to find a Colorado Board of Nursing approved program. The majority of the Community colleges, private nursing and vocational schools have
Students entering a CNA program can take an accelerated program which is around four weeks or slower paced versions that vary from 12 weeks and up. If you are a fast learner, then an accelerated program is an option.
Private CNA programs tend to be quicker but cost more. A CNA program can cost from $400 to $800. Community Colleges tend to be inexpensive but with them a student runs into over crowded classes.
Colleges and vocational schools divide the course work into two sections. The core consists of a four-credit hour course. The second part is usually a one –credit hour clinical course. The clinical aspect lets students practice what they learn in a medical setting.
At the end of the program a student must apply for the certification. Then they must pass a nursing board exam. The Colorado Nursing Board employs Pearson Vue to administer the two part exam. The first part consist of a 70 question multiple choice test which takes two hours to take. A test evaluator oversees the second part of the test which is taken the same day in a closed room. The applicant has 25 minutes to complete five skills.
In the end, the market for skilled and certified nurses in Colorado will increase. Nursing schools will fill up so now is the time to decide on a career change or a new career.
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