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Program Details

• AUDIENCE

  This program is designed for: 

  • Individuals seeking a quick entry into the healthcare field 
  • Those looking for a flexible schedule to balance work and personal commitments 
  • Career changers interested in starting a healthcare career 
  • Aspiring nurses wanting a foundational step toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) 
  • High school graduates or GED holders seeking vocational training 
• SCHEDULE, REGISTRATION & FEES

  Mandatory Pre-Admission Orientation

  Students interested in enrolling in the CNA program will need to attend an online pre-admission orientation session. Registering for one of the orientation sessions will be the first step of the admission process.

  Upcoming Mandatory Pre-Admission Orientations:

  • Please check back for upcoming dates.
    
    

  Course Details

  Classes are held both online and at the ´ó·¢ Temecula Campus.

  Course	Dates	Registration
  Certified Nursing Assistant Program	Fall 2025 TBA Registration required one month prior to start of program	CNA Application - Coming Soon

  Schedule

  ´ó·¢'s Certified Nursing Assistant Program is a 10-week program.  Our cohorts have the flexibility of having the following options:

  Hybrid Class Schedule:

  • Theory: Mondays and Tuesdays, online 5-9 p.m.
  • Skills Lab: Wednesdays, at the ´ó·¢ Temecula campus 5-9 p.m.
  • Clinicals*: Saturdays, 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    
    

  Traditional Live Class Schedule in Temecula:

  • Theory: Fridays at the ´ó·¢ Temecula campus, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m
  • Skills Lab: Fridays at the ´ó·¢ Temecula campus, 1-5 p.m.
  • Clinicals*: Saturdays, 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    
    

  *Clinical Sites in Temecula and other Southwest Riverside County areas

  CNA Program Costs

  Item	Cost
  Tuition	$2,400
  Materials	Approx. $500
  TOTAL (Approximately)	$2,900*

  *Fee subject to change

• COURSE TOPICS

  The following essential topics are covered during the 10-week CNA program. 

  Theory Topics 

  Fundamentals 

  • Roles and responsibilities 
  • Legal issues 
  • Ethics 
  • Patient communications 
  • Anatomy and physiology
    
    

  Safety 

  • Controlling infection 
  • Preventing injuries 
  • Responding to emergencies 
    
    

   Providing Care 

  • Vital signs 
  • Positioning/transferring patients 
  • Restorative care 
  • Environmental comfort and rest 
  • Cleanliness/grooming 
  • Meals/fluids 
  • Elimination 
  • Admissions/transfers/discharges 
    
    

   Special Care Situations 

  • Specific illnesses 
  • Dementia/cognitive changes 
  • End-of-life care 
  • Infants/children 
  • Home care 
    
    

   Transitioning From Student to Employee 

  Skills Lab Topics 

   Personal Care 

  • Bathing 
  • Feeding 
  • Grooming 
     

  Patient Positioning and Transferring

  Taking Vital Signs 

  Clinical Training Topics 

   Direct Patient Care 

  • Working with residents of a long-term care facility 
     

  Supervised Practice 

  • Supervision by a licensed nurse certified by CDPH as a training instructor 
• INSTRUCTOR

  Dr. Sonia Valdez DNP, RN, ACNP, GANP, PHN, CVRN-BC, FAAN

  Dr. Sonia Valdez has been a registered nurse for over 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Cal State Dominguez Hills University in Carson, Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) specializing in Geriatrics and Acute Care from Walden University, and her Doctrine Degree (DNP) from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona California, and holds a national certification as a Cardiovascular & Geriatric Nurse, and Remote Instruction. Sonia has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, ambulatory centers, and managed care plans. Sonia believes in focusing on the whole person when caring for her patients. She is passionate about providing quality care while remaining mindful of her patients’ individual preferences and needs. In addition to her career in nursing, Sonia volunteers her time in her local community.

• FAQs & COURSE INFORMATION

  What are the key features of the CNA program? 

  • 10-Week Hybrid Program: Combines online and in-person learning
  • Inclusive Tuition: Study guides and skill supplies are included
  • Modern Facilities: State-of-the-art skills classroom
  • Clinical Experience: Rotations in a supportive environment
  • Exam Preparation: Includes a 2-day review for the State Exam
  • Job Placement Assistance: Helping you find employment when you finish the program
  • Tutoring: Available before and after classes
  • Career Mentoring: Guidance for advancing your nursing career upon program completion
    
    

  What are the requirements to enroll in the CNA program? 

  To enroll in the CNA program, you must meet the following requirements: 

  • Be at least 18 years old on the first day of class 
  • Possess a state-issued ID or driver’s license 
  • Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including all boosters 
  • Have a Social Security card 
  • Pass a TB test or provide a clear chest X-ray 
  • Pass a physical exam confirming good health and ability to participate in the program 
  • Pass a background check (Live Scan fingerprints)
  • Possess certification in BLS/CPR for Healthcare Professionals
    
    

  What is a CNA?

  A CNA, or Certified Nursing Assistant, works in a healthcare setting to provide basic care to patients. Sometimes referred to as a nursing assistant or nurse's aide, a CNA works under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) and is trained to help patients with daily tasks like bathing and dressing, as well as checking patient vital signs, and beyond.

  What will I learn in the Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program?

  You will learn the basics of a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Involves computer training and an introduction to nursing assistant skills. Courses broken up into classroom lectures, laboratories, and clinical as follows:

  1. Introduction to Computers - This class will introduce you to such basic computer skills as fundamental functions and operations of computers. Through a variety of lectures and labs, you will learn about healthcare industry-related computer security issues, how to identify hardware components, use the industry software applications, and how to use computers to solve the industry problems.
  2. Certified Nursing Assistant I - The initial Certified Nursing Assistant part in a CNA program also consists of several lectures and labs that introduce you to the basic nursing assistant skills necessary to provide personal care to patients in healthcare settings. Some of the things you learn during this part of your program include nutrition, taking vital signs, patients' rights, safety, communications, rehabilitation, and emergencies. You also learn about all of the basic health issues that can affect clients in a home setting, including home safety, family dynamics, home healthcare equipment, and patient assessment.

  In the Certified Nursing Assistant Program, you'll learn essential skills, terminology and techniques to succeed as a CNA. You'll cover basic duties and responsibilities, including patient rights, vital signs, nutrition, emergency procedures and long-term care. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of patient care from admission to discharge. The program includes a mix of classroom, lab and clinical hours to ensure a well-rounded education. 

  How do I become a CNA?

  To become a CNA, you will normally need to complete a state-approved training course and pass the state certification exam that includes both a written section, and a hands-on competency skills section. You can check training eligibility requirements, such as minimum age or education, with the agency regulating this training in your state. Note that individual training programs may have additional requirements. Once you’ve completed training and pass the CNA certification exam, you can then be placed on your state’s nurse aide registry.

  Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a crucial role in the healthcare team by assisting with daily activities, monitoring patient health, and providing emotional support. Choosing the CNA profession means you’ll provide quality care and support to patients in a healthcare setting.

  Being a CNA is not just an important career, it's also incredibly rewarding. As the demand for healthcare services grows, CNAs are in an increasing significance.

  To be successful in this rewarding career, you must possess a range of skills, including skills taught in , as well as additional skills and traits that are covered in career-adjacent courses and real-world clinical experience. Continue reading below to find a CNA skills list that will help you in your career and help you prepare for the skills test portion of the CNA exam.

  In what settings might I work as a CNA? 

  The training and skills you gain in the Certified Nursing Assistant Program will prepare you for various entry-level roles. As a CNA, you can work in diverse settings such as hospitals, urgent care centers, assisted living facilities, doctor's offices and clinics. CNAs are in high demand across the healthcare field, offering you numerous opportunities to start your career. 

  What is a cohort? 

  A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together from the outset of a program until its completion. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their classes together and finish together, students in cohorts tend to form a strong support system and professional network that benefit them during their program and beyond. 

  Sources: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm 

  What are grading requirements?

  1. THEORY (LECTURE / LAB) GRADING:  Students must achieve cumulative scores of 80% or higher in each of three written assessment areas:
  2. Exam 1 (50 points possible)
  3. Quizzes 5 (50 points possible)
  4. Final Exam Cumulative (100 points possible)
     
     

  What are the technology requirements?

  You will need a computer with internet access and a webcam to support the online learning platform (Moodle) and online lectures (Zoom).

   

Extended Learning