As a valued member of the healthcare team, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) assists patients with personal and health needs under the direction of a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse. Certified nursing assistants are concerned with the basic needs of patients, including their physical, social, mental, and spiritual requirements. They provide basic nursing care, assist patients with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, eating, and toileting, care for wounds, make beds and tidy rooms, transfer patients from the bed to the wheelchair, and measure and record vital signs.
The CNA program will provide you with knowledge and clinical experience that will guide the provision of whole person care in a long-term care setting and under the direction of a processional nurse. The work requires speed, efficiency, patience, compassion, and commitment. CNAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, personal homes, assisted living facilities, and adult day care centers.
Summit College – Colton Campus
Summit College’s CNA program prepares adults with knowledge and technical abilities to care for patients with competence and confidence. Experienced and professional instructors work closely with students to help them prepare for certification in California. After completing the program, graduates will be prepared to provide quality care in acute and long-term care settings. The curriculum covers the basics of various healthcare topics designed to produce compassionate and competent caregivers. Students will learn how to communicate effectively, handle equipment safely and responsibly, use critical thinking, and observe patients’ response to treatments. Students will learn in the classroom, skills lab, and clinical rotations. They must complete 220 clock hours in total: 92 lecture hours, 20 lab hours, and 108 clinical hours. The instruction will cover principles of safe and effective care, communications, nutrition and hydration, maintain of mobility,, patient safety, psychology of patients, legal issues related to nursing, use of medical equipment, personal patient care, taking vital signs, mobilizing patients, and monitoring patient behavior. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Nursing Assistant Exam.
Admission criteria:
- Make an appointment to visit the campus
- Talk to an admission representative
- Submit a completed application
- Attend an orientation
Tuition costs $1,254. Books and supplies cost an additional $76.
Website: https://summitcollege.edu/programs/allied-health/certified-nursing-assistant/
Address: 851 E. Cooley Dr., Colton, CA 92324
Phone: (888) 504-2552
Colton Redlands Yucaipa
CRY ROP prepares students for employment as a Nurse Assistant in acute and long-term care settings. The training will include classroom instruction plus 100 hours of mandatory hand-on experience in a skilled nursing facility. Basic studies in patient care, communication, observation, and caring for the geriatric patient prepare students for success in the workplace. Course topics include body mechanics, observation and charting, emergency procedures, vital signs, safe environment, green concepts, employability skills, interpersonal skills, personal and occupational safety, introduction to the nursing assistant, patient/resident rights, medical and surgical asepsis, weights and measurements, the long-term care resident, death and dying, and nutrition. Through an articulation agreement with Chaffey College, students will earn college credits that can be used as prerequisites for the nursing program. Articulated units are only available to those who pass the CNA program and CPR with a B or better and pass the written and skills components of the state exam. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm for 10 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Be able to perform the job functions of a nursing assistant
- Pass a criminal background check – livescan will be conducted at the beginning of the program
- Pass a TB test
- Provide documentation of hepatitis B vaccine
- Complete a physical exam
Tuition and fees cost $2,899. The cost includes livescan background check, CPR training, state testing fee, book and card, textbook and workbook, uniforms, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, gait belt, and watch with a second hand. Additional costs include physical exam, health screenings, immunizations, and non-skid shoes.
Website: https://cryrop.org/
Address: 1214 Indiana Court, Redlands CA 92374
Phone: (909) 793-3115 ext 522
Mission Career College
Anyone with a desire to care for others can enroll in the Nursing Assistant program at Mission Career College. The 9.3 credit unit program includes 160 hours of instruction in the classroom, lab, and clinical site. After completing 60 hours of coursework in the classroom, students will care for patient in a skilled nursing facility under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The clinical experience will require 100 hours of practice in a health care setting. Students who complete the requirements for the CNA certificate will be eligible to take the State Competency Test (CEP) to be a Certified Nurse Assistant. Instructors are registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses who have committed to students’ success in the profession. The duration of the program is 5 weeks and includes CPR training. Full-time and part-time schedules are available.
Admission criteria:
- Submit an program application before the classes begin
- Have a current CPR certificate for health care provider
- Complete a physical exam
- Provide documentation of up-to-date immunizations
- Complete a live scan form
- Provide a copy of social security card
- Purchase personal liability insurance
- A high school diploma is not required for admission
Tuition costs $1,850. A flexible payment plan is available for all students.
Website: http://www.missioncareercollege.com/certified-nurse-assistant/
Address: 9731 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA
Phone: 951-688-7411
Fax: 951-688-7412
Email: missioncollege@att.net
Inland Career Education Center
The Certified Nurse Assistant Program at Inland Career Education Center prepares students with the patient care skills to provide patient care in long-term care facilities. The training includes theory and hands-on work in the skills lab and skilled nursing facility. Areas of study include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, vital signs, personal care, rehabilitation and restoration, infection control, communication and interpersonal relationships, safety and emergency procedures, nutrition, and basic nursing skills. Upon completion of the coursework, graduates will be eligible to take the Nurse Aide Competency Exam to become certified State of California. Classes meet three days a week for 12 weeks. Fingerprints will be taken on the first day of class.
Admission criteria:
- Obtain CPR certification during the class
- Complete a background check
- Have a social security card
The cost is $600 and includes books, CPR certification, and fingerprinting. Students are responsible for the state exam fee and the required uniforms.
Website: https://icec.sbcusd.com/programs/medical_education
Address: 1200 North E St., San Bernardino, CA 92405
Phone: (909) 388-6000
Fax: (909) 381-2887
Riverside City College – School of Knowledge
The Nursing Assistant Program at RCC is approved by the California Department of Health Services. It is a 16-week program that requires a full-time commitment. Anyone with an interest in entry-level nursing may apply. Care for the geriatric population in long-term care settings is a major emphasis for the program. Experienced instructors will cover emergency care, basic care, and communication. The curriculum will cover 72 hours in the classroom and 108 hours for lab and clinical. Topics for study will include Prevention Management of Catastrophe and Unusual Occurrence, Patient Care Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Nutrition, Emergency Procedures, Observation and Charting, Rehabilitative Nursing, Long-Term Care Patient, Death and Dying, Body Mechanics, and Patient Rights. Upon completion of the 6 units, graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion become eligible to take the Nurse Aide Competency Exam administered by the American Red Cross.
Applications are accepted in November for the Spring semester or in June for the Fall semester.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application for consideration
- Complete and submit health, physical exam, and immunization records
- A valid American Heart Association (BLS) Healthcare Providers CPR card
- A completed background check through Livescan fingerprint
- Be free from communicable diseases and infections
Tuition is $46 per unit. Additional costs include health services, parking, student services fee, uniform, books and supplies, physical exam and lab work, background check, and health and accident insurance.
Website: https://www.rcc.edu/
Address: 4800 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (951) 222-8000
San Manuel Gateway College
Students enrolled in the Nursing Assistant Program at San Manuel Gateway College will learn how to provide whole person healing, observe and report concerns related to patient care, assist with personal hygiene, assist with mobility and ambulation, communicate with residents, families, and health care team members, assist with emergencies, assist with elimination and nutrition, and support registered nursing professionals in the care of patients. The program will cover three quarters of courses that span a period of nine months. The mandatory clinical rotation will commence in the second quarter and conclude in the third quarter. Course modules include Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology Lab, Introduction to Medical Anthropology, Medical Terminology, Jesus, Health, and Healing, Introduction to Medical Assisting, Health Care Communication for Whole Patient Care, Fundamentals of Nursing Assisting, Role of Nursing Assisting Working with Special Needs Patients, Professionalism and Preparation for Certification. Applications are accepted on a first come first served basis.
Admissions criteria:
- Fill out the online application and pay the application fee of $25
- High school transcript or GED certificate – official transcript must be mailed to the college
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Present a written personal statement of 500 words or less
- Complete the Health History Form, Immunization Requirements Form, Physical Examination Form and the Two-Step TB Skin Test Form
Tuition costs $6000. Financial aid grants are available to those in need. A flexible payment plan is available.
Website: https://sanmanuelgatewaycollege.llu.edu/certificate-programs/certified-nursing-assistant
Address: 250 S. G. Street, San Bernardino, CA 92450
Phone: 855-558-1100
Email: sanmanuelgatewaycollege@llu.edu
Chaffey College
The nursing assistant program at Chaffey College prepares students for certification in just eight weeks. The program combines theory and practical instruction to prepare students for the provision of lifesaving care in acute and long-term care facilities. Areas of studies will include medical terminology, communications, nutrition, patient rights, infection control, patient safety, mobility, basic nursing skills, and death and dying. Students who successfully complete the program requirements will be eligible to take the state exam. Chaffey College offers convenient onsite testing for students. The application period for Spring enrollment is January, February for Summer enrollment and April for Fall enrollment.
Admission criteria:
- Be 16 years or older
- Apply to Chaffey College and receive a Student ID#
- Attend a program information session
- Take the Reading/English assessment and score at the 6th grade level or higher
- Complete the CNA application – incomplete applications will not be considered
- Attend a mandatory fingerprinting session
- Complete the Health Form with all immunizations
- Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association
The approximate cost of attendance for CA residents is $1,355.50. The cost includes tuition ($322), parking, health requirements, fees, drug screening, insurance, fingerprinting, textbook, CNA state exam, uniform, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, gait belt, and shoes.
Website: https://www.chaffey.edu/healthsciences/nursing/nursingcna/index.shtml
Address: 5885 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
Phone: 909-652-6000