Aims Community College, Banner Health announce partnership to train more CNAs, address workforce shortage
By Kelly Ragan
As Colorado faces a shortage of Certified Nurse Aides, Aims Community College and Banner Health announced a partnership to help fill the gap.
Banner Health employees in areas such as culinary and nutritional services or environmental services, according to a news release, will have the opportunity to participate in a six-week Nurse Aide certificate program at Aims on Banner’s dime.
The program includes 80 hours of theory and lab studies, as well as 30 hours of clinical experience.
Banner has committed to paying for students’ tuition, classroom materials, required background check, and National Nurse Aide Assessment Program certification exam.
The participating Banner employees can allot hours of their workweek to the CNA program.
Upon completing the Aims Nurse Aide program, students can take their CNA state certification exam. Aims is a designated testing site and can quickly expedite testing to get students into the workforce.
Once certified, program participants will move into CNA positions at Banner.
“I have no words to express how grateful I am for this opportunity and I’m very thankful for Aims and Banner,” said Heilen Beecher, a program participant, in a news release. “The support of the teachers and all involved in this program are amazing; they make sure you are learning to succeed with amazing support and encouragement. Thanks again for an incredible team of educators.”
To learn more
To learn more about the Nurse Aide certificate and other Aims programs, go to aims.edu/degrees-certificates.