NurseAide
Learn the hands-on skills of patient care and become a Certified Nurse Aide in as few as two courses. This program teaches you to provide safe, competent care while observing and documenting a patient's health, physical condition, and general well-being — through lab practice and real clinical experience. Graduates are eligible for licensure with the Colorado State Board of Nursing and employment as a Certified Nurse Aide.

Program Overview
Build the skills. Sit the state boards. Get to work.
The Nurse Aide Certificate is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of nursing and to build the skills needed for safe, competent patient care. Coursework covers observation and documentation of a patient's health, physical condition, and general well-being, with skills practiced both in the lab and in a real clinical setting.
Seating is limited each term, so early registration is recommended.
Option 1 is the minimum coursework required to sit for Nurse Aide state boards, and is the option most self-pay students choose. CPR is completed within the course and is paid separately by the student on the day of the course.
Program Cost
Where You Can Study
This program is offered at the following TSC campus locations.
Curriculum
Nurse Aide Certificate — Option 1
These two courses are the minimum requirement to sit for the Nurse Aide state boards.
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NUA 1001 | Nurse Aide Health Care Skills | 4 |
| NUA 1070 | Nurse Aide Clinical Experience | 1 |
| Total Semester Credits | 5 | |
CPR is completed within the course and is paid by the student on the day of the course. Students are also responsible for the cost of a background check, drug screen, and immunizations in addition to the cost of the class.
Professional Licensure (Nationwide) ›Where You'll Go
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Outcomes
Pass Rates
| Program | Licensure / Certification Exam | Time Period | Current Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Aide | Colorado Board of Nursing | 2025 | 83% |
| Nurse Aide | Colorado Board of Nursing | 2024 | 82% |
| Nurse Aide | Colorado Board of Nursing | 2023 | 82% |
Source: Colorado Board of Nursing. In order to protect the privacy rights of candidates for licensure, the total number of candidates tested and the pass rates for schools with 10 or fewer applicants are not posted.
The Trinidad State College Nurse Aide Program is fully approved and overseen by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, the Colorado Community College System, and the Higher Learning Commission.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Important Note for Prospective Students:
If you are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license in the state where you plan on living and working after graduating, it is highly recommended that you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in that state before beginning the academic program at Trinidad State College. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Trinidad State College provides information pertaining to professional licensure and certification in correlation with programs offered at TSC that may lead to state licensure.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary courses. It is intended to make it easier for students to take courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.
If you plan on taking Trinidad State College classes, please check the SARA Map to verify that your state has either authorized or exempted our college to offer classes or programs to you as a resident of your state.
Students are advised to review program licensure information before beginning a program at TSC that leads to professional licensure with the intent to be licensed outside of the state of Colorado. While TSC endeavors to ensure this information is up to date, licensure requirements can change at any time — contact the appropriate licensing agency in the states or territories where licensure is intended for the most current requirements.
Not all TSC programs are formally approved for professional licensure in every state. However, a program may still meet all or a portion of the educational requirements for licensure in other states and territories. Contact the licensing agency directly to confirm whether a TSC program meets educational requirements outside of Colorado, and check in regularly as you progress through the program in case requirements change.
To learn more, review the licensure information for programs of interest:
For additional assistance pertaining to professional licensing compliance, please contact Dr. Lynette Bates, Vice President for Academic Affairs, lynette.bates@trinidadstate.edu.
Contact Us
Have questions about this program? Reach out to a faculty or staff member.

- TitleDean of Instruction
- DepartmentNursing
- LocationTrinidad, Colorado • 118 Davis
- EmailLoriRae.Hamilton@trinidadstate.edu
