Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is a great start in healthcare if you want to care for patients and make a decent salary without completing an extensive program of study. As a CNA, you’ll provide basic care to patients in long-term care facilities, hospitals, adult day care facilities, and home health agencies. Core responsibilities include assisting patients with personal hygiene, turning and repositioning patients in their beds, transferring patients from the bed to the wheelchair, serving meals and helping patients eat, measuring and recording vital signs, observing patients and reporting any concerns, making beds and keeping rooms tidy, listening and supporting patients, and answering call lights. All your duties will be directed by a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.
The role and responsibilities of a nursing assistant require skills that are not covered in the Certified Nursing Assistant program. Excellent communication, good physical health, compassion, and respect for others are key skills. You must be committed to high quality care and be capable of collaborating with other health care professions for the best interest of the patient.
Western Medical Training Center
Western Medical Training Center’s Certified Nursing Assistant’s program also includes preparation for Home Health Aide Certification. The packaged program is ideal for adults who want to work in nursing homes, hospice agencies, and patients’ homes. The program covers a total of 174 contact hours including 71 hours of nursing theory and lab and 103 hours of clinical rotations. The HHA covers 20 hours of theory and 20 hours for lab. Areas of study include Introduction to Nursing Assistant, Patient Rights, Communication Skills, Body Mechanics, Rehabilitation and Restorative Care, Principles of Asepsis, Observation and Charting, Emergency Procedures, Nutrition, Death and Dying, Vital Signs, Weighs and Measures, and Long-Term Resident Care. The HHA course will include Interpretation of Medical and Social Needs of Clients, Personal Care Services, Nutrition, and Clinical and Care Tasks in the Home. Western offers small class sizes, personalized attention, and job placement assistance. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm for 29 days for the daytime CNA training. The evening schedule meets Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for 44 days and the weekend class meets Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm for 22 days. The HHA training is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm for five days.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an interview with Admissions Personnel
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Demonstrate proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing English
- Submit a completed application and registration fee
- Make a deposit of $100 to hold a seat in the program
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a valid ID and social security card
- Pass a physical and TB test
The total cost of attendance is $1,600 and includes tuition, registration, books, supplies, and uniforms.
Website: https://wmtc.info/
Address: 1161 East Main Street #205 El Cajon, CA. 92021
Phone: 619-241-9931
Email: kfarook@wmtc.info
Health Occupations Center
Persons interested in enrolling in the Certified Nursing Assistant program at the Health Occupations Center must attend a mandatory orientation. The duration of the orientation is 1.5 hours and late attendees will not receive credit for attendance. The state approved CNA program combines classroom lectures with clinical rotations to prepare students for the state nurse aide exam. Candidates who pass the exam with receive the CNA credential. The curriculum covers 240 contact hours of instruction. The training will cover basic nursing skills, care for the patient across lifespan, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, personal care, nutrition, safety and emergency procedures, vital signs, rehabilitation and restoration, death and dying, and infection control. Day and evening schedules are available.
Admission criteria:
- Take and pass the HOC assessment test – includes an evaluation of Math and English abilities
- Have current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider card
- Pass a physical exam
- Provide documentation of required immunization
- Obtain TB clearance
- A high school diploma is not required for enrollment
Registration costs $450.
Website: https://hoc.guhsd.net/HOC-Courses/Certified-Nurse-Assistant-CNA-/index.html
Address: 9368 Oakbourne Road, Santee, CA 92071
Phone: (619) 956-4300
National City Adult
The nursing assistant program at National City Adult is based on an evening schedule only. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for approximately 8 weeks. Classroom and clinical instruction will include basic nursing skills, care for the patient across lifespan, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, personal care, nutrition, safety and emergency procedures, vital signs, rehabilitation and restoration, death and dying, and infection control.
Admission criteria:
- Register for an attend an orientation
- Pass the CASAS Assessment with a minimum score of 236 – the assessment will be administered during the orientation
- Complete a Healthcare Essentials course before submitting an application to the nurse aide program
- Submit an application to the CNA program – provide accurate contact information
- Complete a physical and submit completed forms
- Obtain TB clearance
- Have a valid Healthcare Provider, Professional Rescuer, or Basic Life Support BLS card
- Complete LiveScan forms – two copies
- Provide proof of purchasing textbook and scrubs
Use the contact information below to secure a current schedule and cost.
Website: http://adulteducation.sweetwaterschools.org/instructions/
Address: 517 Mile of Cars Way, National City, CA 91950
Phone: 619-336-9400
Fast Track Medical Training Center
The Nursing Assistant program at Fast Track Medical Training Center includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical rotations to prepare students for the California State Nurse Assistant Competency Evaluation Testing Program and entry-level employment in long-term care. Experienced instructors will emphasize the fundamentals of safe and competent nursing care. Students will learn how to measure and record vital signs, position and transfer patients, personal care such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding, and observation and reporting. During the clinical rotation at a local health care facility, students will have the opportunity to apply the nursing skills gained in the classroom and lab. The cost of the program will also include CPR training and job placement assistance. Program graduates will be eligible to apply for the Certification exam and for employment in long-term care facilities, clinics, home health agencies, hospitals, adult day care centers, and hospitals.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application for Admission
- Provide a copy of social security card and state ID or driver’s license
- Pay the deposit to secure a seat in the program – $500
- Complete the physical exam requirements and TB clearance
Tuition for the program is $1,500.
Website: http://www.fasttrackmedicaltraining.com/
Address: 6160 Mission Gorge Rd. Suite 120, San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: (858) 228-7564
Alt: (619) 398-5272
San Diego Medical College – Nursing School of Eastlake
The nursing assistant program at San Diego College may be completed in 20 days. The California State approved curriculum includes Patients Rights, Body Mechanics, Resident Care Procedures, Resident Care Skills, Communication Skills, Introduction to Nursing Assistant, Emergency Procedures, Weights and Measures, Rehabilitation and Restorative Procedures, Observation and Charting, Death and Dying, Principles of Asepsis, and Long-Term Resident Care. The clinical rotation will include 104 contact hours of direct care experiences in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for class lectures and clinical rotations. The weekend class meets for 10 weekends.
Admission criteria:
- Be 16 years or older
- Provide valid ID and social security card
- Complete a physical exam
- Obtain TB clearance
- Submit to LiveScan fingerprinting
- Have a valid BLS (CPR) card
- Pay the Enrollment Fee of $185
Tuition is $975. The cost of training includes free BLS (CPR), free uniform, free book and preparation guide. Interest free financing is available for all students.
Website: https://www.sandiegomedicalschool.com/
Address: 821 Kuhn drive #103, Chula Vista 91914
Phone: (619) 942-8274
Alt: (619) 271-0700