SDSNA believes CNAs are the Heartbeat in Healthcare©

Success is Measured By Service

What makes our CNA Certification radically different?

We’ve been in business for over 13 years and our school’s long withstanding, high pass rate, has remained consistent with our dedication and passion for delivering students a quality education.  Out of 30+ independent CNA Certification schools in the state, during the era of COVID19,  our school is the only one to remain in the 90th+ percentile.

Students can rest assured that they will be taught correctly at South Denver School of Nursing Arts, by nurse instructors who are passionate about building a solid foundation for our healthcare graduates.   Each SDSNA student has one point of contact- a dedicated and passionate nurse instructor who is 100% invested in their success.  Our 4-week, accelerated Online CNA Certification program is personalized, proven, structured, interactive and locally operated out of Colorado.

Our program is primarily virtual, with 4, in-person, hands-on training shifts. Before class begins, our students receive a supply pack with professional medical equipment for their at-home skills lab set-ups and 22 skills demonstrations. Starting the second week of class, our students will visit campus, to complete 2 days on campus. During the last week of class, students will complete 2 days of clinical rotations at a long-term care facility.

We’re thankful our virtual program has allowed our school to extend our reach and serve the some of the most rural areas of Colorado – the first online CNA Certification & training course of its kind to reach so many dedicated Coloradoans!

Our vision is to train Colorado’s next generation of CNAs, future nurses, and frontline healthcare workers with a foundation of purpose, honor, and heart – what being in healthcare is all about.

We empower our students to take quality care of themselves, so they can take quality care of others.  We provide mentorship around post-graduate, employer resources.  Our school trains our alumni to be their own advocates – from acing behavioral interview questions and writing CNA cover letters & resumes, to sharing tips on how to negotiate and ask for what your worth- a lifelong skill.

Empathy and Leadership training is embedded in every aspect of our curriculum. Our program cultivates a true learning environment and offers an empirical experience, by learning alongside valued teammates, building a genuine connection to your future, and being part of a collective mission to succeed.

South Denver School of Nursing Arts continues to love what we do and it’s because our SDSNA Students & Alumni light our flames.

CNA School & Certification

Click to learn more about South Denver School of Nursing Arts

South Denver School of Nursing Arts is Proudly Accredited by

Colorado Board of Nursing

What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant’s (CNA) main role is to provide basic care to patients, residents and clients as well as assist them in daily activities. CNAs report to either registered nurses or licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses. A CNA license is an entry-level career position in the healthcare industry. A CNA provides personal care (bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, ambulating) for persons needing assistance in hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices, and private homes.

This highly marketable CNA Certification is becoming a desired pre-requisite for acceptance into associates or bachelor’s degree nursing programs, such as LPN or RN. This work would also fulfill the direct patient care hours required by other medical programs, such as radiology or medical school.

CNA Certification at the South Denver School of Nursing Arts

When choosing a career path to follow, it’s important to picture yourself within the role you’ll be training for to get a sense of whether or not that path is right for you. Nursing and nurse assisting are both extremely important professions that are sought after by many and can be an incredibly rewarding way to serve your community and help others daily.

However, nursing comes with its own distinct set of challenges, and the most effective nurses typically have a combination of both inherent and learned traits that make them a perfect fit for the job.

 

Certified Nursing Assistant Day-to-Day Tasks

Some may imagine that the life of a certified nursing assistant is full of emergency situations and important decisions that have to be made in a split second. Though emergencies do sometimes arise, and you may be responsible for making some quick decisions, the reality of day-to-day life for a nurse is often very different.

The duties of nurses and nursing assistants vary greatly depending on the type of facility and the department you’re specializing in. However, in the majority of facilities that utilize CNAs, daily tasks will mostly include the general care of patients including administering medication, assisting with eating and using the restroom, monitoring changes in vital signs, and more.

 

CNA School: Is It Right for Me?

With our proven certified nursing assistant classes at the South Denver School of Nursing Arts, you’ll be able to go from complete beginner to fully trained CNA in a matter of weeks. Even though CNA training is readily available, becoming a certified nursing assistant isn’t the best path for everyone. In order to be an exceptional CNA, it’s important to possess a few key traits.

Patience and flexibility. Though aiding people through their illness or injury can be rewarding work, it can also be frustrating. Sometimes patients don’t want to take their medication or answer important questions; sometimes treatment schedules can change due to the improper time management of your coworkers; sometimes the families of patients can become hostile toward staff. Being able to take problems and changes as they come and still do great work is a very important part of being a successful CNA.

Emotional maturity. As a certified nursing assistant, you will often be working with patients that don’t want to be there or are in an otherwise altered emotional state. When people feel vulnerable, angry, or confused, they will sometimes lash out at those in the immediate vicinity. As a CNA, you’ll have to handle the moods of your patients with grace as well as assist them through very personal care tasks, such as using the bathroom, bathing, and getting dressed.

Good communication and observation skills. In many facilities, CNAs are responsible for checking vital signs, recording any changes in patient behavior, and relaying information to nurses and primary caregivers. Therefore, a good CNA should be tuned in to their surroundings at all times, always giving patients their full attention, and communicating vital information in a clear and efficient manner.

 

The 5 C’s of Certified Nursing Assistants

During your certified nursing assistant classes, you will become familiar with the 5 C’s of nursing care. These concepts are crucial for building positive relationships between CNAs and their patients and coworkers.

  1. Commitment. When you commit to a CNA position, you commit to long hours of difficult yet rewarding work. Working as a certified nursing assistant is more than just a job; it’s a choice to dedicate oneself to the care of others.
  2. Conscience. Having a strong set of morals and values is extremely important in a certified nursing assistant. As with any caregiving position, leading with ethics is the mark of a great CNA.
  3. Competence. CNAs are responsible for the health and wellbeing of their patients, so a firm basis of comprehensive training as well as ongoing informational updates are crucial. With a nursing assistant certification from the South Denver School of Nursing Arts, you won’t have to worry about missing out on any vital information or training.
  4. Compassion. Compassion is one of the key components of a positive nurse-patient relationship. As a CNA, leading with compassion and empathy could potentially mean the difference between a patient improving or stagnating. Empathy is what makes CNAs the Heartbeat in Healthcare™.
  5. Confidence. Patients and their families look to their healthcare providers for information, guidance, and advice. If you don’t exude confidence as a CNA, your patients may find it difficult to trust you or become concerned about their quality of care. Even if you can’t answer a patient’s question or don’t know exactly how to handle a certain situation, it’s important to remain confident while suggesting resources or bringing in outside help- CNAs are excellent communicators.

 

Become a CNA at the South Denver School of Nursing Arts

If you think a CNA program is right for you, the South Denver School of Nursing Arts provides extensive nursing assistant certification training to help you successfully pass state boards, in just 4 short weeks, so you can earn your Colorado CNA license. With flexible class schedules, exceptional instructors, and affordable tuition, you’ll be on your way to changing lives in no time. Make an impact- set your foundation with exceptional training, honor and heart.

Student Testimonials

Great school! They care about their students and prepare them to pass Co State Boards. Even the owner and administrator are involved in getting to know students. The curriculum is thorough. Because of Covid it is mostly online and at home but you will get time to use the awesome lab. They give you an at home kit to practice with at home with an at home partner to be prepared. Even being online you get to know your class via workbook and skills sessions. I had a great experience!
Megan McQueen
00:52 19 Sep 21
I completed a CNA certification course at SDSNA in September 2020. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the school adapted well to conduct the course virtually — preparing and sending at home skills lab kits and conducting lectures virtually. This actually worked in my favor, as I was able to start the class before fully relocating from the East Coast to Colorado. Despite not being able to offer clinicals during the pandemic, SDNSA staff and professors provided excellent career resources and helped me network with healthcare providers in the area. Thanks, in large part to those efforts, upon completion of the course, I was able to secure a job in a local hospital. While the types of skills and competencies required of a CNA may vary in different places of employment, I can safely say that SDSNA provided me a great foundation for my new career journey, and I felt extremely prepared to pass the state skills exam required to obtain my full CNA license. I'd recommend SDSNA very highly to anyone considering becoming a CNA!
Matt Harms
20:06 28 Jan 21
Just passed my skills! This school is amazing for providing excellent skills videos to help you pass your exam!!! Great staff too!
Miranda Bridgeford
01:11 24 Jan 21
SDSNA is an absolutely fantastic school! They have successfully managed to make online learning hands-on, engaging and extremely informative (this is an impressive feat!!). I feel as though my education was taken seriously and the online aspect didn't diminish the quality of education whatsoever. I honestly feel as though SDSNA has revolutionized online learning 🙂 I feel very prepared for state boards. If you want to become a CNA with a group of people who are passionate about person-centered care and are committed to your success, GO TO THIS SCHOOL!!
emily wrede
20:46 11 Jan 21
wow!!! I am truly at a loss for words. Everything about this program is amazing, from the professors to the staff. They all want you to be successful. This is an easy to follow program, and you will feel over and very prepared to work as a Certified nursing assistant anywhere you please. They open the door for many opportunities, as long as you advocate for yourself. Don't let the price drive you away, Ms. Whitney has an amazing heart, while running an efficient program. you give her and the program a chance, I promise you all you won't regret your decision!
Rok Yiul
16:21 10 Dec 20
This was such a great course! The whole thing was very easily structured and laid out. It took time but not so much that I felt overwhelmed. The online format worked well with the amount of FaceTime you still get. I moved my husband and 3 children up to Denver and within 2 weeks was registered in the course. Whitney and Karina are so responsive. I have no worried about my skills when the skills test comes back after COVID, we just have to get there now!
Katherine Loper
06:22 17 Nov 20
SDSNA is an excellent school. The instructors are kind and thorough with the content, the owner is an amazingly kind and helpful person, and my classmates were motivated and engaged throughout the entire course. I would highly recommend this school for anyone seeking to take the first step on a career to become a positive and influential health care worker!
Cameron Nevin
18:06 21 Oct 20
I LOVED the opportunity I had to take this course! I loved my instructor as well as all the people in my class. I feel very prepared and confident going into the medical field.
Student Sydney Giles
22:39 11 Oct 20
I had an incredible experience with SDSNA. Whitney was so welcoming and the instructors were amazing. The curriculum was taught at a great pace and I felt very confident and prepared for the exams. I was able to get a CNA job and attribute my success to SDSNA.
Claire Thompson
20:15 12 Sep 20
Great experience!! I was new to online schooling and was a nervous wreck. William was my instructor and was very encouraging and supportive throughout the course. What I got from SDSNA all around the staff genuinely care about you and your success, they are immensely supportive from start, finish and beyond. Such a great place with truly amazing people!!
Celia Saenz
03:11 18 Aug 20
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About our CNA School & Certification Training

South Denver School of Nursing Arts believe CNAs are the Heartbeat in Healthcare™. We incorporate a growth mindset in everything we do. Our Mission statement focuses on Excellence, Ownership, Accountability, Teamwork and Integrity. Our team takes a holistic approach with our education. We not only want our students to succeed at state boards, we want you to succeed in life! We believe the only way to take care of the most vulnerable population in the world, starts by knowing how to take quality care of yourself first. Our SDSNA Alumni are taught to bring honor and heart to into the healthcare industry.

Being a CNA is a highly marketable occupation, an in-demand career and a recession-proof vocation. The CNA certification provides a foundation for advancement in professional opportunities in health care. The CNA license is becoming a desired pre-requisite for acceptance into associate or bachelor’s degree nursing programs, such as LPN or RN. This work would also fulfill the direct patient care hours required by other medical programs, such as radiology or medical school. A Certified Nursing Assistant’s (CNA) first job is to observe and report all changes in their clients. CNAs take care of patients in hospitals, residents in long-term care facilities and hospices, and clients in private homes.

Reasons to Choose SDSNA

  • Long Withstanding Reputation – We’re celebrating 10 years of business and we’ve had over 2,000 students complete our program. We’re accredited through the Colorado State Board of Nursing (since 2010).
  • Reputable CNA Training – Our school prepares students to pass the Colorado State Board of Nursing, Nurse Aide Training Program Exam (CNA License). Our school consistently has one of the highest pass rates in the state.
  • Comprehensive CNA Programs – At the South Denver School of Nursing Arts, students gain preparation & experience in basic nursing assistant procedures, skills, patient care, safety and emergency care, and clinical exposure.
  • Key Skills Taught – Students learn 22 skills from the ability to measure & record accurate vital signs and help all clients, patients and residents with daily activities of living (ADLs). These skills include tasks like bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, ambulating, etc.

CNA School & Certification in South Denver

Quality healthcare is an ever-present need across the world that has only grown more necessary in the 21st century. There’s never been more of a necessity for health personnel, with many areas experiencing an acute shortage of medical practitioners—especially certified nurses—to help patients.

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are irreplaceable members of medical teams, providing base-level care to patients, supporting them with daily routines and activities, and serving as key liaisons between them and doctors. A CNA license provides more than entry-level admission into the healthcare industry: It’s a certification of mastery of a range of skills that will always be in demand.

South Denver School of Nursing Arts has prepared hundreds of students with the skills and experience they need to obtain CNA certification. For over 10 years we’ve taught a comprehensive program of certified nursing assistant classes, getting students fully developed in 22 different skill areas and getting them ready for national and local certification tests. Our school has a 93% pass rate on CNA license exams, sending over 1,800 students into fulfilling careers in the nursing sector.

CNA certification is an in-demand stepping stone for advanced nursing degrees, especially for training to be licensed practitioners and registered nurses. Our curriculum also fills the requirement of direct patient care hours for those seeking to enroll in medical school or become radiologists. SDSNA’s mission is to provide CNA classes to a new generation of professional nurses who maintain excellence in both career and life.

Contact us to learn more about starting your path toward nursing assistant certification, and one of the most fulfilling, much-needed careers in the world.

Choosing the Right CNA Program

Obtaining a CNA certification is crucial in the pursuit of a professional career as a nurse’s assistant. To get an entry-level position in the healthcare industry, a nurse needs to demonstrate high competence in sensitive, functional areas of medical assistance. For that reason, it’s important to gain a thorough education from an acknowledged institution with certified nursing assistant classes. But with so many avenues towards certification, how do you choose which one best suits your needs?

Several factors come into play when selecting a CNA program:

School Criteria. The most important factor in deciding upon a certain school is its accreditation with national and local associations. Schools submit to a voluntary process that evaluates how their nursing assistant classes measure up to accepted standards of curriculum and quality. Not all nursing schools meet those standards, especially with the proliferation of “programs” available in person and online. It’s important to ensure that the school of your choice stands up to the baselines established by regulatory agencies, and it’s even better if they regularly exceed those prerequisites.

Other characteristics of a nursing school are important to consider as well: tuition costs and availability of financial assistance, convenient location, variety and depth of courses, local reputation, and rates of graduation, examination passing, and career conversion.

Amount of Study Time. The nursing industry has room for quite a few levels of experience and knowledge, from licensed assistants to registered nurses, and more advanced, specialized occupations as well. Depending on the kind of certificate or career you want to pursue, nursing schools offer a variety of timelines to complete the required training:

  • Licensed Practical Nurses – 12 months. Successful students can obtain licenses as practical nurses in about a year, after a general education course that can cover physiology or anatomy, and some specialized courses and lab work.
  • Registered Nurses – 2 to 4 years. An Associate’s degree is required to be a registered nurse, with courses covering basic nursing care procedures like monitoring patient conditions, working with physicians and using medical supplies and equipment. A Bachelor’s degree helps with more complicated medical services and a route to a career in nursing management.
  • Master’s Degree in Nursing – At least 2 additional years. Undergraduates seeking the greater opportunity an advanced degree in nursing provides can expect to spend at least two more years in graduate education. This degree can be a prerequisite for a career as a nursing educator, research nurse, consultant, administrator, or other positions that call for more intensive education.

South Denver School of Nursing Arts is a great resource for completing CNA classes required for a working nurse, and a positive first step in longer courses of study to obtain a master’s degree.

Areas of Expertise. Careers in medicine offer a multitude of branches for nurses with various skills or knowledge. Nursing assistant certification is patterned to fit each of these branches, and it’s important to choose an institution that caters to your interests or desired career direction. Possible career categories for nurses include:

  • Family or community nursing. This field covers nurses who serve families, communities, rural areas, home health, and other entities or institutions that provide generalized care.
  • Administrative nursing. Several professional careers are suitable for those seeking paths in applied nursing, such as forensic science, legal consulting, occupational health, infectious disease research, advanced practices and more.
  • Specialized nursing. Nurses are needed in all the many disciplines of medical care, including neonatal and perinatal care, geriatrics, rehabilitation, pediatrics, oncology, psychiatry, cardiovascular care, intensive care, and many more.

Motivated & Dedicated Students are the Best Kind of Students!

Learn more about our programs and start your journey to receiving a CNA Certification.

PROGRAM INFORMATION