During the summer 2009 semester, ten UC Denver pre-health undergrads attended a six week Nurse Assistant internship pilot program. They all passed the course and successfully passed their Colorado State Board examinations. The students are now qualified to be employed as CNAs (Certified Nurse Assistants) at any health care facility throughout the State of Colorado.
This internship provided pre-health students with academic credit, patient contact hours required for admission to health career schools and a new avenue for paid employment within their field of study as they continue their education. The Nurse Assistant internship was coordinated through the UC Denver Experiential Learning Center in collaboration with Shalom Park Nursing Home. Due to the resounding success of this summer’s program, the CNA internship is slated to be offered every semester beginning spring 2010. During spring and fall semesters, students will work one or more full shifts per week, and during summer semester, students will work 32 hours each week for 6 weeks. Successful completion of the internship requirements entitles students to sit for their Colorado State Board examinations. Pre-Health students are encouraged to begin applying for the spring 2010 internship in the fall 2009 semester.