According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median yearly salary for California CNAs is $29,400 or $13.42 an hour. San Francisco’s CNAs may earn slightly less or more depending on a number of factors. Common factors that will determine your salary include your education, experience, cost of living and the type of industry you choose to work in (private clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or home health agencies). In general, though, more than 10 percent of CNAs within this city, earned an average salary of $35,000 or higher in 2012. If you’re considering a career as a certified nurse aide, it pays to do some research on the salary and availability of jobs in your local area. Also, you need to complete at least 160 hours of California Department of Health accredited training before challenging the PearsonVue-administered state certification exam. Prospective employers will verify your status on the nurse aide registry before hiring you to provide direct patient care.
American Care Quest Inc
American Care Quest facilitates a state-approved nursing assistant program to prepares adults for state certification and entry-level employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The curriculum covers 150 contact hours of instruction – 50 hours of theory and practical instruction in the classroom and 100 hours of supervised patient care in a skilled nursing facility. The training will emphasize care of the elderly patient and will cover personal care and grooming, basic nursing skills, body structure and function, the role of the nurse aide, medical terminology, communication and interpersonal relationships, and patient safety. Experienced instructors assist students with exam preparation, so graduates are well-prepped for success.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Have a valid CA ID and social security number
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check
- Demonstrate English Proficiency or pass the CELSA test with a score of 97
- A high school diploma or GED. A waiver will be granted to persons who pass the CELSA Ability to Benefit Test with a qualifying score of 97
- Pass a TB drug screen
Tuition is an affordable $1,199 inclusive of registration fees. Students can make payments in four easy installments of $175.
- Website: http://www.americancarequest.com/medical_education.php
- Address: 1426 Fillmore St., San Francisco 94115
- Phone: (415) 885-9100
- Fax: 415-885-9107
- Email: info@AmericanCareQuest.com
City College of San Francisco
The intensive but short-term nurse aide training classes at City College of San Francisco prepares students for the state certification exam. The program is 150 contact hours of theory and practical instruction – 50 hours in a classroom and 100 hours of supervised patient care experiences. The experienced instructors will ensure that students are 100% prepared to take the state exam. At the end of the training, graduates earn certificates in acute care, home health aide, and convalescent care. They will understand the role and responsibility of the nursing assistant and be prepared to provide safe and competent care.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Complete ESL 184 or ENGL 88 or demonstrate readiness for college-level English
- Must have CPR Certification approved by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Criss for Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider only
- Provide documentation of current immunization
- Must complete a satisfactory physical exam
- Complete the Live Scan form (for fingerprinting) and submit to the Department of Health Services
- Pass a criminal background check
Tuition is $46 per semester unit for California residents and $211 for non-residents –total semester credits for the program is 12. Students must purchase uniforms, textbooks, and pay for a physical exam, TB test and fingerprinting. The class is eligible for college credit.
- Website:https://www.ccsf.edu/dam/ccsf/documents/licensed_vocational_nursing_lvn_documents/Nurse_Assistant.pdf
- Address: 1800 Oakdale Ave., San Francisco 94124
- Phone: (415) 550-4300
Oxman College
The nurse aide class at Oxman College prepares students to provide compassionate, safe and effective direct care services to patients at long-term care facilities and hospitals. The state-approved curriculum covers 150 hours of training, including 50 hours of theory and 100 hours of supervised hands-on work in a clinical setting. Course topics include body mechanics, nutrition, vital signs, resident care, patient care procedures, weights and measures, medical terminology, promoting resident rights, and emergency procedures.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Attend an admission interview
- Take and pass the required entrance test
- A background check, physical exam report, proof of immunization, and TB clearance are required
- Must pass a urine drug screen
- Current CPR certification must be maintained for the duration of the program
Tuition is $2000 plus costs of textbook and supplies. Federal financial aid is not available. However, unemployed or low-income students may qualify for assistance through One-Stop Centers.
- Website: http://www.oxmancollege.com/Certificate.htm
- Address: 309 4th Ave., San Francisco 94118
- Phone: (415) 751-6461
North Bay CNA
North Bay CNA Training Program is approved by California State. Qualified instructors prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become a certified nursing assistant to care for residents or patients in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health care. The program includes 50 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical experience. Students must attend all lab, clinical, and classroom sessions. Course topics include basic nursing skills, communication, infection control, emergency and safety responses, personal hygiene, nutrition, vital signs, observation and reporting, hospice care, mental health issues, and rehabilitation and restorative techniques. The curriculum also includes one mock testing day and one makeup day for students who miss no more than 8 hours in the program. At the conclusion of the program, North Bay CNA will make arrangements for graduates to take the competency exam for state certification. Full-time students will complete the program in 25 days. Part-time students complete the program in 44 days. A weekend schedule is also available, and the completion time is 12 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 16 years or older
- Must have a valid state ID and social security card
- Complete a physical exam by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner – not older than 90 days before the application date
- Complete a negative PPD test
- Must pass a Live Scan Fingerprinting background check
Tuition for the program is $1,500. Students must make a non-refundable deposit of $300.
- Website: http://www.nbcna.com/cna-certification/
- Address: 1300 Valley House Drive #100, Rohnert Park, California 94928
- Phone: (707) 304-4131
- E-mail: cindyc@nbcna.com
Bay Area Medical Academy
The Nursing Assistant Course at BAMA Institute prepares adults for employment in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health care, clinics, and other health care facilities. Students will complete the theoretical component of the program on campus in two weeks. The final 4 weeks of the program will take place in a skilled nursing facility where students will provide direct care under the supervision of a licensed nurse instructor. A beneficial component of the program is the 8-hour readiness module that help students transition to sustained economic independence. Graduates will be prepared to take the state exam for certification with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The duration of the program is 6 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed college-level courses
- Must pay the initial deposit
- Take and pass an English test with a score of 70% or higher
- Attend a program orientation session
- Submit a sealed official high school and transcript of any college courses completed
Tuition is $1,740.00. Other expenses include textbooks, national state exam. CPR certification, and the non-refundable registration fee. Public funding may the available through the Veteran GI Bill , the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Department of Rehabilitation. A flexible payment plan is also available.
- Website: https://bama-institute.com/programs/certified-nursing-assistant/
- Address: 530 Bush St., Suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94108
- Phone: 415-508-5404
- Fax: 415-358-5997
Advanced Medical School of Nursing
The nursing assistant program at Advanced Medical School of Nursing provides theory and clinical instruction to prepare students for certification in the state of California. The training will cover a broad range of essential topics that will enable the graduate to meet the physical, emotional and social needs of the long-term care patient. These topics include infection control, basic nursing skills, communication, nutrition, patient safety, patients’ rights and independence, measuring vital signs, body structure and function, and personal care and grooming. Day classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm for 19 days. Evening classes meet Monday through Thursday from 4:45 pm to 10:00 pm for 35 days.
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Must pass a background check
- Submit a negative 2-step PPD exam
- Submit a physical exam report completed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner
- Must have a current flu shot
- Pass an admissions assessment
The cost of attendance is $1,599 and includes tuition, scrubs, textbook, and Live Scan. Other costs include State Board Exam fee, CPR certification, physical exam, TB test, and nursing supplies.
- Website: https://4amsn.com/index.html
- Address: 1760 Chester Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565
- Phone: 925-432-4980
- Toll Free: 1-800-779-6736
- Fax: 925-432-4984
Niles College
Students who enroll in the Nursing Assistant Training Program at Niles College are will understand the ethical, moral, and professional standards of the profession. The curriculum, which includes theory and practical instruction, will help students develop confidence in their ability to provide quality nursing care to patients of all ages. It includes 164 hours of instruction, exceeding the state standards for nurse aide training. Graduates will have entry-level skills for employment as a CNA, be capable of providing safe, competent, and culturally sensitive care, meet patients’ physical, spiritual, and psychosocial needs, and recognize the importance of punctuality, teamwork, confidence, communication, and compassion. Graduates will be prepared to take the State Competency Exam to be added to the Nurse Aide Registry. The duration of the program is 21 days.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 16 years or older
- Complete a satisfactory background check
- Submit a negative 2-step PPD exam
- Submit a physical exam report including completion of required immunization
A CNA scholarship grant is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.nilescollegellc.com/nursing-programs/nursing-programs/nursing-assistant-training-program/
- Address: 1299 Bayshore Highway, Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010
- Phone: 650-212-3100
- Email: info@nilescollegellc.com