CNA Training Programs

  • Approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
  • Saddleback College CNA Program began in Fall of 2020
  • Equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a Certified Nurse Assistant.
  • Master vital nursing skills, including patient care, vital signs monitoring, and infection control.

Certified Nurse Assistant Training

  • Gain hands-on experience and expertise in providing essential care to patients.

Saddleback College is the approved testing center for the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) test.

  • Certification may provide additional points on the on the Nursing Program multi-criteria/admission criteria/admission scale (verifiable employment) employment)
  • Max of 15 points if you have CNA certification and work experience within past 5 years

Regional Job Outlook:

  • In 2022 there were 1,585 total job postings in Orange County.
  • Job growth is projected to be +39.1% between 2022-2032
  • Median potential median percentile, and $22.68 in OC

Many positions have flexible schedules, multiple job opportunities, shift differential, weekend differential, registry pay.

Source: Lightcast Labor Market Information (LMI) Report

  • CNA Info Session Content (Mandatory review)
  • Application Period
    • Randomized Selection process
    • Provisional and Alternate Acceptance letter
    • Information Packet
  • Complete Clinical Clearance Requirement (Mandatory)
    • Clinical Clearance Day (Optional)
  • Orientation Day (Mandatory)
  • CNA Class begins
  • Graduate
  • NNAAP State Exam
  • Saddleback College / Irvine Valley College
    • Student ID  required to apply
  • Government Issued ID Card
    • Valid/current, non-expired state Driver’s License, State Identification card, or Passport.
  • US Social Security Number or Tax ID number
    • ITIN number or valid SSN (original/non-laminated) with the same name as DL/ID card.
  • Proof of personal health insurance Mandatory Program Health Clearance
  • Clear criminal background and drug screening
    • Completed after provisional acceptance to the program via CastleBranch
  • Basic Live Support (CPR) card by American Heart Association
    • Valid/current card (not to expire throughout the program)
  • NA Student professional liability insurance
    • Obtain this through Nurses Service Organization (www.NSO.com)

The Nursing Assistant Program Application link can be found on the Certified Nursing Assistant page (under "Application Date and Information").

  • Submittable” is the site you will be directed to.
    • Create an account to submit your application.
    • Know your username and password! Communication is done there.
    • Acceptance letters and more are sent to you through Submittable.
  • Application must be filled out completely to be considered for admission.
  • Applicants are randomly selected from the application pool for provisional acceptance once application period ends.

Criteria for random application selection/ranking process:

  • Must review an “CNA Info Session Content”
  • Must be 16 years of age or older
  • Must be a Saddleback or IVC College student (Student ID number required to apply)

Once provisionally accepted, the following must be met:

  • Complete Health Requirements/Program Clearance
  • Clear drug screen
  • Clear background check
  • Obtain professional liability insurance (NSO), AHA BLS card, and proof of health insurance.
  • No high school diploma or GED required.
  • Must have transportation to and from class/clinical sites (In-Person).
  • No make-up time will be allowed. Students cannot miss any class/clinical time.
  • Must pass all Nursing Assistant courses:
    • CNA422NC, CNA423NC, and CNA424NC
    • Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC. Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC.
  • If you are a current high school student, other requirements are needed so reach out after the presentation.
  • "Mandatory Health Assessment and Immunity Status Requirements" form completed and signed by your Health Care Provider or Student Health and Wellness Center.
    • Health and Wellness Center
      Phone: (949) 582-4606
      Fax: (949) 582-4227
      Address: SSC 117 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692

      NOTE: Student Health Center is closed when school is closed (check academic calendar)
  • Physical examination completed within 6 months prior to program begins (Complete within that time).
  • TB clearance (TB Gold or Chest X-ray)
  • Immunizations per clinical sites, may vary (Influenza vaccine, full COVID vaccination status post booster, TDAP)
     

See Health Assessment Requirement Link on the CNA Page for More Details

Theory (CNA422NC) 67 hours / In-Person

  • 1 class / week
  • Must successfully complete this course with a “C” or better to continue in the clinical course.

Skills (CNA422NC) 25 hours / In-Person

  • Total 4 skills days
  • On-campus skills lab

Clinical (CNA423NC): 108 hours / In-Person

  • 16 weeks Program - 1 clinical per week (10-hour shift)
  • 9 weeks Program - 2 clinical /week (8-hour shift)
  • Must successfully complete this course with a “Pass” or “P” to complete the program.

NOTE: Clinical hours are subject to change per facility availability. No online options are available. Students are randomly placed in clinical groups on Orientation Day. Allocated clinical facilities cannot be replaced.

NOTE :Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC. Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC.

Textbook

  • Required textbook:
    CNA: Nursing Assistant Certification, California Edition by Dr. Carrie L. Jarosinski RN, CNE, CWP, 2020 Print; ISBN: 978-1-941626-03-0; eBook ISBN: 978-1-941626-50-4. 
  • Recommended workbook:
    CNA: Nursing Assistant Certification, California Edition Workbook by Lisa Rae Whitley, RN, 2020; Print ISBN: 978-1-941626-160; eBook ISBN: 978-1-941626-52-8

Requirements before applying to the Nursing Assistant program: 

  • Solid wine-colored scrub top.
  • Solid wine-colored scrub pants.
  • Solid white socks that cover the ankles.
  • Any solid white, skid-free, waterproof shoes. No open toes or backs, no straps, no heels, no openings. (See example image below.)
  • Uniform-approved long-sleeved plain white tee shirts are permitted under uniforms for warmth or needed if you have arm tattoos.
  • Wristwatch with a sweeping second hand (no smart watches).
  • Fingernails are to be clean, trimmed, and of reasonable length. Light color polish only and in good repair. No artificial nails.
  • Hair must be neat, worn off the face, and off the collar. Neatly braided hair is acceptable.
  • Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and close to the face. Beards must be trimmed to jaw line.
  • Students must meet the professional dress code required for each clinical facility. Dress code requirements are subject to change.

Wine-Colored Scrubs

  • Wine Color Top (Cherokee): Style #WW620 / Style #WW690
  • Wine Color Pant (Cherokee): Style #WW120 / Style #WW140
Wine-colored scrubs examples.

White Shoes

White shoes example.

White Long-sleeves

Optional: for warmth or if you have arm tattoos.

  • White Color Long Sleeve Silky Tee by WonderWink: Item #2009
  • White Color Long Sleeve Men’s crew neck tee: Item #2909
  • White color by Prestige - MS Med Sleeves 17”: Item #PRE-MS
Optional white long-sleeved shirts only needed if you have tattoos on arms.

How much does the Nursing Assistant Program Cost?

NOTE: CNA courses are tuition free.

Item Cost
Nursing Program Tuition $0
Fees (Health) $26
Uniforms $50 - 100
Books $30 - 90 (new vs. used)
Supplies (blood pressure cuff/stethoscope/gait belt) $35 (as low as)
Health Requirements varies
CPR "BLS" issued by AHA $55 - 110
NSO Liability Insurance $35
Background/Drug Test/Castlebranch $132.75
NNAAP State Test $120
Total Estimated Cost $400+

NOTE: This is just an estimate. Costs may vary for each student and are subject to change.


If you have any questions, you can ask them in the Q&A session.

Check the Main CNA Page for the Q&A Session Schedule

Saddleback College Nursing Assistant Program 
Email: sccna@saddleback.edu
(949) 582-4701

 

The School of Health and Wellness at Saddleback College values their students' feedback. The CNA Program would like to know about yourself and your preferences regarding the schedules the program offered.

Take Our Anonymous Survey
 

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

ExpensesLiving With Parents (2 Semesters)Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees$1,438$1,438
Books & Supplies$1,062$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$14,480 $25,916
Personal & Misc.$4,059 $4,968
Transportation$1,791 $1,962
Total Resident$22,830$35,346
Total Non-Resident$35,130$47,646
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees$715 $715 
Books & Supplies$354$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$4,827$9,276
Personal & Misc.$1,353$1,656
Transportation$597$654
Total Resident$7,846 $12,655
Total Non-Resident$13,996$18,805
ExpensesLiving With ParentsLiving Away from Parents
 Fall & SpringSummerFall & SpringSummer
Tuition & Fees$1,438 $715$1,438$715
Books & Supplies$1,062$354 $1,062$354 
Transportation$1,791 $597 $1,962 $654
Total Resident$4,291 $1,666 $4,462 $1,723
Total Non-Resident$16,591 $7,816 $16,762 $7,873
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes