Education  April 20, 2022

Banner, Aims partner on new CNA training program

GREELEY — Aims Community College and Banner Health will work together to help non-clinical workers at Banner transition to positions as certified nurse aides.

The collaboration will permit workers to further their education while still working at Banner.

Colorado is facing a shortage of certified nurse aides or CNAs — positions that help hospitals and long-term-care facilities care for patients while also taking pressure off registered nurses. The arrangement will help Banner employees in areas such as culinary and nutritional services or environmental services to get education and training to transition into CNA roles. According to a press statement, four students completed the program this spring, and two others are registered for upcoming classes. 

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Banner employees can take part in the Aims six-week CNA certificate program, including 80 hours of theory and lab studies and 30 hours of clinical experience.

Banner will pay for tuition, classroom materials, required background check and National Nurse Aide Assessment Program certification exam.

Participating Banner employees can allot hours of their workweek to the CNA program. Once certified, program participants will move into CNA positions at Banner.

“This is a phenomenal model for success for organizations looking to upskill their employees through formal education,” Terry Anderson, dean of Allied Health and Wellness at Aims, said in a written statement. “It is a program that provides a full wrap-around service and support for student success and is targeted to meet the workforce needs of an organization.”

“This program is a win-win for our employees, our organization and our academic partner,” said Carrie Brunson, Banner Health director of nursing professional practice and advanced practice providers. “The internal employee program, totally funded by Banner, supports our hard-working team members to pursue career advancement opportunities while still working part-time in their current role. The employees benefit from the opportunity to advance their career path, the organization benefits from retaining our best people, and our partner Aims contributes significantly to supporting our communities by increasing their capacity to enroll and graduate CNAs who are critical members of our health care delivery team.”

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