The Certified Nursing Assistant Program at Saddleback College was established to empower students to gain the skills and knowledge of providing basic patient care as a member of the healthcare team. The Nursing Assistant Program prepares students for employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a variety of health care settings ranging from acute care hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. This program is approved by the Department of Public Health, State of California (CDPH).

Students must attend an information session, mandatory orientation, complete a physical examination, and background/drug test in order to participate in this program. This program offers training through two multi-week courses consisting of in person didactic instruction and clinical rotations. Successful completion of both the didactic course and the clinical rotation course is required to finish this program. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the state certification examination administered by the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) to earn their certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule

Admission Requirements and Application Information

Prerequisites to the Nursing Assistant program:

  • Must attend an Information Session (See information session dates and registration links below).
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Apply to Saddleback College to become a student (must have a student ID number to submit a CNA application)
  • Complete health requirements – More information given at the Information Session (students must show proof of personal health insurance)
  • Complete/Clear Drug screen – More information given at the Information Session
  • Complete/Clear Background check – More information given at the Information Session

View the ELL CNA Information Session Content

NOTE: Q&A Sessions will be conducted on the premise that prospective applicants or applicants have reviewed the Information Session information linked above. You must review the information session information and participate after understanding them.

Q&A Session Schedule

Scheduled to be announced in April 2024.

 

The Spring applications will be held December 4, 2024 through January 17, 2024.

Applicants will be notified of their application status via Submittable by January 22, 2024.

Due to limited staffing, we will be unable to provide status inquiries during the application period. Applicants will be notified of their application status via Submittable by January 22, 2024.

View the CNA Program Application for Spring 2024

The Clinical Compliance Date is February 8, 2024 and you must attend. This will be an all-day event.

Those invited into the program must be able to perform the duties of a CNA. The following immunizations will be required:

  • Physical Examination
  • TDAP Vaccine
  • COVID vaccine
  • Seasonal Flu Shot
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening. This screen is quantiferon gold blood draw or an x-ray.


Download the Mandatory Health Assessments and Immunity Status Requirements

 

Students will also be required to complete a background check, drug screening, obtain Professional Liability insurance, and possess a valid BLS/CPR card through the American Heart Association (no other providers) prior to registering for classes. These courses are reserved only for students accepted into the Nursing Assistant Program and students will not be cleared to register until all of the requirements have been completed. Failure to complete any of the programs requirements/deadlines (which are provided to students upon acceptance), will result in students signing a Non-Compliance Form. Depending on the situation, students may or may not be eligible to continue in the program after signing a Non-Compliance Form.

Items to bring to fingerprint date:

  • Students will need to bring a non-expired state ID, DL or passport and original, non-laminated SS card or ITIN paperwork with same name as ID.

No late entry will be permitted for anyone who arrives 10 minutes after the start of the mandatory orientation session.

To file a complaint regarding the Certified Nursing Assistant Program, please visit the California Department of Health's Licensing and Certification Program page.
 

  • Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
    • Students are required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines:
      • Physical Examination
      • TDAP Vaccine
      • COVID vaccine
      • Seasonal Flu Shot
      • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening. This screen is quantiferon gold blood draw or an x-ray.
  • Back Ground Check / Drug Screening.
    • Students are required to register with Castlebranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker. Click on this link to go to the CastleBranch portal. https://discover.castlebranch.com.
  • Liability Insurance - NSO
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Card:
    • Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers).
    • We offer a class at Saddleback College titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers.
    • You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest http://www.lifelinecpr.com/.
  • Personal Medical Insurance

Cost for all participants in the program may be covered. More information will be given at the informational session. Items such as health exam, books, uniform and BLS card could be covered.