Updated
January 20, 2021
Volume
III
NextStep's training-to-placement program prepares learners to work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Our goal is to fill long-term care providers' critical staffing needs and provide learners the opportunity to begin a rewarding career in health care.
NextStep training materials are available through our app online or via mobile device. By delivering a digital curriculum, we ensure learner progress is monitored, saved and available for review. To enroll in our course, learners must have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone that can be connected to the internet with a minimum of 30MB of storage.
All course components are provided in English only at this time. Learners must be able to read, write, comprehend, and speak English fluently. Potential students in which English is a second language must provide proof of graduation from a United States high school, high school equivalent or successful completion of an English as a second language exam or other academic assessment as determined appropriate by NextStep.
No experience is required to enroll. To enroll in the
CO
CNA course, learners must meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years old
Be legally eligible to work in the United States
Have a valid state driver's license or government-issued photo ID card
Be a
Colorado
resident
Have a GED or high school diploma
Not have a disqualifying offense
All learners applying to the NextStep CNA program must complete a background check that reviews criminal activity in all U.S. states. NextStep learners must meet the high standards of our employer partners to be eligible for our unique tuition-free program. Learners are disqualified from receiving employer-sponsored free tuition if they have any of the following disqualifying offenses on their background screening:
Any felony convictions
Any crimes involving abuse, neglect or exploitation of another person
Violence toward another person, including domestic violence
Crimes of a sexual nature, including offenses requiring registration as a sex offender
The sale, possession, distribution or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
Theft in the past seven years
More than two misdemeanors in the last 24 months
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol more than once in seven years
Crimes involving the U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
Crimes involving the Health and Human Services/Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals/Entities or the GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
Learners possessing a clear background except for having more than two non-violent misdemeanors during the last 24 months can choose to continue the program and pay full tuition with the understanding that they are not eligible for job placement through NextStep and may not be eligible for CNA certification.
NextStep encourages diversity and accepts applications from all minorities. NextStep will not discriminate against any learner on the basis of race; religion; sex; creed; color; age; veteran or military status; sexual orientation; national origin; the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability; or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.
NextStep acknowledges that information pertaining to an applicant’s disability is voluntary and confidential and will be made on an individual basis. If this information is presented, NextStep will attempt to provide a reasonable accommodation to overcome the effects of the limitation of the qualified applicant.
All inquiries about accommodations should be made to the individual's mentor upon course registration. To be qualified for accommodations, an individual with a disability must meet the basic skill, education, training and other eligibility requirements of the NextStep certified nursing assistant program and must be able to perform the essential functions of a CNA, either with or without reasonable accommodation. The employment and academic standards are the same for all individuals enrolled.
Registered nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) instructors must have a minimum of one year's experience within the past three years in caring for the elderly or chronically ill of any age, have completed a course in adult instruction or have experience teaching adult courses, and be approved by the
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
The NextStep
CO
CNA Course can be completed in an average of
eight
weeks, coursework must be completed in no more than sixteen weeks from the date of enrollment. The speed of course completion is dependent on learners’ self-motivated progress. The coursework includes:
Total theory (app) portion of the program =
54
hours
Total lab portion of the program =
24
hours
Total clinical portion of the program =
16
hours
Skill Set 1: Work Readiness (3 Skills)
Skill Set 2: Communication (5 Skills)
Skill Set 3: Promote Rights (7 Skills)
Skill Set 4: Protect Rights (7 Skills)
Skill Set 5: Infection Control (6 Skills)
Skill Set 6: Pre and Post Care (5 Skills)
Skill Set 7: Health & Safety (6 Skills)
Skill Set 8: Acute Response (6 Skills)
Skill Set 9: Reposition or Move (7 Skills)
Skill Set 10: Transfer (4 Skills)
Skill Set 11: Basic Care (7 Skills)
Skill Set 12: Assistive Devices (4 Skills)
Skill Set 13: Personal Hygiene (7 Skills)
Skill Set 14: Personal Care (6 Skills)
Skill Set 15: Restorative Care (7 Skills)
Skill Set 16: Toileting (4 Skills)
Skill Set 17: Special Procedures (4 Skills)
Skill Set 18: Nutrition (3 Skills)
Skill Set 19: Special Populations (5 Skills)
Skill Set 20: Diseases and Conditions (5 Skills)
Learners must complete the following to successfully complete the course and be eligible to sit for the state CNA exam:
In-app learning time: The total theory (app) self-paced portion of the program is approximately
54
hours (
108
skills) and is comprised of
20
skill sets. Each skill is equivalent to
30
minutes and consists of an introduction and steps via the app.
Practice lab: Individuals must complete the first
eleven
skill sets in app as a prerequisite to attending the first practice lab. There are
six
required practice labs with no more than
10
learners per instructor at any time. Learners practice skills and receive structured, systematic feedback from the RN instructor. Learners also video-record themselves performing specific skills in the lab. These recordings are evaluated by an offsite RN evaluator who provides constructive feedback. Practice labs are scheduled in four-hour increments.
Requirements prior to clinical and direct patient contact:
Clinical rotation: After theory and lab work are completed, learners must complete
16
hours of clinical, with a maximum of
10
learners per instructor, working directly with patients at local nursing facilities.
Clinical is scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m, ongoing every two weeks as needed.
Education credential: Upon completion of the NextStep program, the learner will receive a certificate of completion.
Colorado
state CNA exam: NextStep assists with scheduling the certified nursing assistant (CNA) exam. This is a two-part examination consisting of a written or oral examination and a skills evaluation.
Absenteeism and make-up time will be allowed on a case-by-case basis by the Instructor. All make-up assignments must contain the same content as the original approved assignment. Make-up work will comply with regulatory requirements and be provided according to the approved training. All cancellations, late rescheduling, and no-shows to lab and clinical are subject to a fee per the EULA. NextStep reserves the right to waive fees for extenuating circumstances.
Theory: The theory portion of the NextStep CNA program is completed in the app at whichever time best fits the learner’s schedule. We advise completing 3-4 skills per week to stay on track with the agreed upon graduation deadline.
Practice lab: If a learner is more than 15 minutes late to practice lab, they are not permitted to attend the practice lab and must reschedule. Learners are expected to stay for each of the entire four-hour labs. If a learner needs to leave early due to an emergency, the instructor will provide a plan for making up this time.
Clinical: All clinical hours and the mandatory clinical preparation orientation scheduled at the beginning of the clinical rotation must be completed to pass the course.
15 minutes or less tardy from the start of the clinical: the learner will make up equivalent time after clinical end time equivalent to the number of minutes late with the instructor. Learners can have one episode of tardiness up to 15 minutes late.
More than 15 minutes tardy from the start of the clinical: the learner is considered absent and will have to make up the entire clinical.
The learner is expected to behave in a mature and professional manner during all interactions with other learners, instructors, individuals receiving care and mentors. Learners may be dismissed from the lab area or clinical as a result of conduct that is unsafe, unethical, inappropriate or unprofessional. Disciplinary action may include dismissal for the day or dismissal from the course.
Clinical Code of Conduct
Unprofessional or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. This includes:
Practice Lab and Clinical Dress Code
All clinical interactions with individuals receiving care and simulation lab practice sessions involving learners, including video recordings, are considered confidential. Learners are expected to uphold all requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and any other federal or state laws requiring confidentiality. Learners should report any violations to the program coordinator or instructors.
NextStep learners are expected to maintain academic progress and conduct themselves in a professional manner while completing coursework and during their lab/clinical experience.
Learner Course Participation
Learners may be dismissed if they:
Learner Performance in Practice Lab
Learners may be asked to leave practice lab if they:
Learners may be dismissed from the program and/or determined ineligible for job placement if they:
Learner Performance in Clinical
Learners may be dismissed from clinical if they:
Fail to attend and participate in at least
16
hours of clinical
Learner Immediate Dismissal
Learners may be immediately dismissed if they:
Completion
Learners are placed in a CNA position with one of our NextStep-approved employers once they pass their CNA exam, unless they have chosen to pay tuition and not participate in qualifying placement.
NextStep learners may choose to either pay tuition for the NextStep CNA training program or participate in the NextStep tuition scholarship program.
Tuition Scholarship Track
13.00
995.00
Additional Costs
Costs Covered by NextStep
Tuition Track
Course tuition is $
995.00
broken down over the duration of the program. See NextStep's End License User Agreement (EULA) for the enrollment agreement, which includes the payment schedule, method of payment, and cancellation and refund policies.
NextStep does not offer financial aid assistance.
NextStep grades using a pass/fail method.
Theory
There are fifteen questions per skill and thirty questions per skill set. Learners must achieve a minimum score of 80% on the skill set evaluation to pass. Learners’ progress through the program is indicated by their accumulation of digital skill badges or percent of progress.
Practice Lab
The RN instructor ensures that learners are trained and found proficient in all skills on each performance-based assessment. If a learner fails a critical step (based on Pearson Vue’s identification), they fail the assessment. Learners receive a practice lab skills checklist to track progress and successful skill demonstration.
Clinical
The RN instructor ensures that learners demonstrate proficiency in all skills. The clinical skills checklist displays learner progress and skill competency.
Theory
Knowledge-based assessment questions demonstrate understanding and comprehension of a skill.
Practice Lab
Performance-based video evaluation provide step-by-step performance ratings in addition to personalized feedback and hands-on skill demonstration. Learners receive feedback and guidance from RN instructors during practice lab and video skill evaluations with a pass or fail grade. Evaluations in the practice lab assess the student’s level of competency when performing all skills. Students must achieve an 85% or higher to pass each skill. Failing or performing bolded steps results in an automatic failure of the skill even if all other steps have been performed correctly. The student receives a pass/fail performance-based video evaluation based on successful skill demonstration of bold steps (Critical Element Steps) outlined in the Skill Rubric to be deemed competent in each designated skill. The learner can repeat the skill for a total of three times before being placed on a student-specific academic plan.
Clinical
Skills are demonstrated hands-on.
NextStep accommodates some learner-initiated time away from the program with advance notice. A learner may begin completing the skills again where they left off if they voluntarily disenroll during self-paced app work. Re-entry alerts the mentor, who will contact the learner regarding plans for progress.
Learners must complete the NextStep course in no more than 16 weeks from the date of enrollment. Planned absences, for up to two-weeks, are reviewed and approved on an individual basis by the Program Director. Those learners who have an approved planned absence during the program must still adhere to completing the course within 16 weeks from the date of enrollment.
Learners may not re-enter the course if dismissed due to ineligibility due to conduct, issues, criminal background offenses, or not meeting requirements, such as not having a high school diploma or being under the age of 18. Questions or concerns regarding eligibility may be directed to the manager of customer success.
Learners who have a complaint or concern can request an appointment with their RN instructor, the program coordinator or the appropriate designee. The request should include the learner’s full name and a statement of concern, including dates, times and names of those involved.
The program coordinator or appropriate designee will notify the learner of the appointment date on which the concerns will be addressed. Every effort will be made to bring an amicable resolution. If necessary, a panel of instructors and/or appropriate NextStep staff will hear the concerns and be asked to assist in bringing a resolution. The learner will be notified within five business days of the outcome.
NextStep utilizes electronic documents and gathers and stores minimal hard copies (paper or printed) of documentation. Retention and disposal of electronic and/or paper documents that validate completion and competency of skills will insure information is adequately protected and digitally maintained and discarded at the designated time. Learner records will be maintained by the school for seven years.
The following holidays will be observed (lab and clinical classes will not be held on these days):
Mentors are available via app chat, email, text or phone, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. PST.
The NextStep Practice lab allows learners to learn aspects of caregiving through demonstration and hands-on practice under the direction and supervision of an approved
CO
Instructor. The maximum class size is 10, and the student/teacher ratio is 10:1. The practice lab is equipped with mannequins, hospital beds and medical equipment to practice skills prior to the clinical rotation.The practice lab has a break area for learners with a sink, tables and chairs. Both male and female lavatories are available. Parking is available in a well-lit parking lot. The facility is located in close proximity to public transit. The practice lab is an ADA-accessible facility with handicapped ramps and lavatories; reasonable accommodation will be provided at the request of the student.
Owners
NextStep Interactive is a C corporation with a governing board of directors and various investor shareholders. The CEO of the Corporation is Chris Hedrick.
Board of Directors
Shareholders (with at least 10% ownership)
This school is licensed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.