The Colorado Nursing Association reports that the shortage of qualified candidates for Denver nursing jobs is twice the national average and that by 2020 there will be a 30% vacancy rate for nursing jobs in Denver and the rest of Colorado. Home health is one of the fastest growing sectors for Denver nurses, but the region has also seen the opening of a number of new hospital facilities as well. Denver's largest hospitals include: Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver Health, and St. Anthony Central Hospital.
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is an individual who assists patients with activities of daily living. Certified nursing assistants, also known as nurses aides, patient care technicians, home health aides, and orderlies, work under the direct supervision of a nurse, and are responsible for providing basic care services such as bathing, grooming, and feeding patients, as well as checking patient vital signs. CNAs also work directly with licensed nursing staff as they provide skilled nursing care to their patients. An individual becomes a CNA after completing a 6 to 12 week programs, and after passing a certification exam. Don’t think that the role of a CNA isn’t important. CNAs serve as the eyes and ears of the nursing staff, and they work in medical hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, and assisted living facilities. Working as a CNA can also serve as a career steppingstone for individuals wishing to go on into the nursing profession.