Colorado CNA study plan
Colorado CNA · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Basic nursing skills
List the correct sequence for measuring temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, and state the normal range for each
Demonstrate hand hygiene and standard precautions in the correct order, verbalizing each step aloud
Identify at least 15 abnormal values (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, oxygen saturation, blood glucose) and state the required CNA action for each
Explain the CNA's scope of practice for specimen collection, intake and output measurement, and reporting changes to the licensed nurse
Your checkpoint
Completed 30-question self-quiz on vital signs and infection control with a recorded score of 85% or higher, plus a one-page error log naming each missed concept and its correct answer
Basic nursing skills & Personal care skills
Perform a full bed bath, a partial bath, and perineal care on a manikin or practice partner while maintaining privacy and correct draping throughout
Demonstrate applying and removing personal protective equipment in the correct order without contamination
Sequence the steps for safe positioning, turning, and transfer of a resident, including body mechanics and gait-belt use
Document three practice care events using objective, non-judgmental charting language
Your checkpoint
A skills checklist of 20 personal care and basic nursing steps performed and self-scored against a state-style skills rubric, with every missed step re-performed and initialed
Personal care skills
Perform oral care, denture care, and hair and nail care on a manikin within 10 minutes each without breaking asepsis
Identify at least four skin-integrity risk factors and describe two prevention measures for each
Describe how to adapt bathing, dressing, and toileting for a resident who is unsteady, has limited range of motion, or uses a medical device
List at least six observations during personal care that must be reported to the nurse
Your checkpoint
A timed, self-recorded or instructor-signed run-through of a complete bed bath with all critical steps checked off and a written list of the six reportable observations
Mental health and social service needs
Describe five therapeutic and five non-therapeutic communication techniques, giving a concrete example of each
Identify behavioral signs of depression, anxiety, and grief in a resident and state the appropriate CNA response for each
Explain how culture, religion, and sexual orientation affect care preferences, giving two accommodation examples per category
Outline the CNA's role in reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, including whom to notify and within what timeframe
Your checkpoint
Score of 80% or higher on a 25-question practice set covering communication, mental health needs, and abuse reporting, with each wrong answer rewritten as a correct statement
Milestones
Week 2: Can perform hand hygiene, PPE, and a complete bed bath from memory with no critical-step omissions on the rubric
Week 4: Scores 80%+ on a 25-question mixed set from Domains 1-3 and can state the abuse-reporting chain of command without notes
Week 6: Can distinguish delirium, dementia, and depression in 10 out of 10 written scenarios and produce a complete dementia care plan draft
Week 8: Scores 85%+ on a full-length timed practice exam covering all six domains, with an error log showing every missed item re-taught