Organizational example:

Organization/Program

CNA-to-LPN Career Ladder
Community College of Denver
Denver, Colorado

Program Purpose

To help low-skilled CNAs qualify for LPN training programs in a short period of time.

Program Description

The Community College of Denver, with funding from the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, has developed a bridge program that shortens the amount of time needed for low-skilled CNAs to qualify for LPN training. The lower skilled adults can complete the bridge program in 24 weeks, while higher skilled CNAs can complete the program in as little as 8 weeks.

The strategies used include:

• Intensive, accelerated learning
• A cohort model to provide strong peer support
• Contextualized learning that uses health care as a context for learning reading, writing and math skills
• Case management

Progress

The program began in 2002 with one cohort of 20 students. Since then, 15 additional cohorts have been added. As of 2006, seven cohorts have completed, eight are currently ongoing, and one has moved to another school. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of the 212 total students who have gone through the program have either earned their LPN diplomas or are still enrolled.

Contact Information

Community College of Denver
Department of Nursing
1070 Alton Way
Denver, CO 80230
T: 303.365.8300, x8394
www.ccd.edu/program.aspx?CID=170

Jo Ann Kennedy, Program Coordinator