Certified Nurses Assistant
(CNA) Program

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CNA Program Overview

 Our California state-certified CNA program prepares students to perform the rewarding work of caring for patients in skilled nursing facilities. Our graduates are highly sought after by many local employers.

As a certified nurses assistant, you will have extensive daily contact with patients, making you a crucial part of the healthcare team. You will play a key role in providing vital information on patients’ conditions to the nursing staff, ensuring high-quality care and support.

Job Summary

The CNA program at CNEI focuses on essential topics such as infection control, personal care skills, CPR instruction, body mechanics, and hands-on clinical experience. We provide substantial hands-on learning opportunities to master the necessary tasks for success. These tasks include:

  • Answering patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients’ needs.
  • Turning or repositioning bedridden patients.
  • Providing physical support to assist patients with daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
  • Reviewing patients’ dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure they receive an appropriate diet.
  • Measuring and recording food and liquid intake or urinary output, and reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
  • Gathering information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient conditions, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.
  • Recording vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.
  • Observing or examining patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.
  • Documenting or otherwise reporting observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
  • Bathing, grooming, and dressing patients according to their needs, ranging from minimal assistance to total dependency.
  • Providing daily documentation on the care provided to each patient.


Graduates of this program find work as certified nurse assistants and patient care technicians. They may work in hospitals (both public and private), nursing and convalescent homes, medical clinics, health service agencies, government agencies such as the Peace Corps, and the military. Some are self-employed, working through nursing agencies for private duty service.

Time to Complete:

Days – 6 weeks 160 hours
(Theory and Clinical Externship)
Evening – 13 weeks 160 hours
(Theory and Clinical Externship)
Weekends – 14 weeks 160 hours
(Theory and Clinical Externship)
Semester Units:
5
Clinicals:
1
Lecture Levels:
3
Format:
In-Person

Start Dates/Class times:
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CNA Program Details

Program Objective

To provide students with the foundation of knowledge and technical skills necessary for certification and to obtain entry-level employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant. The students receive a well-balanced, quality education designed to deliver both theory and practical skills required by the state agency for certification. Graduates receive a Certificate upon completion of all program requirements.

Program Description

The Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) program consists of 60 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical training at a nursing affiliated clinical facility under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse approved by the Licensing and Certification (L&C) division of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Upon completion of the program, students will meet eligibility to take the California State approved CNA examination (for which CNEI is a recognized testing center). Once the student successfully passes the CNA state exam, the student can apply for employment as a Certified Nurse Assistant, and the State will issue a CNA Certificate number.

Requirements

In order to graduate from the CNA program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent educational diploma
    (e.g., a GED or foreign diploma)
  • Complete 60 hours of theory instruction
  • Complete 100 hours of clinical externship
  • Be at least seventeen (17) years of age
  • Obtain a criminal record clearance
  • California Drivers License or California State ID
  • Pass with an average score of 70% or higher to include the final exam.
  • Pass a State “Live Scan” application
  • Have proof of State Mandated vaccines for work in medical facilities (Shall not expire before hands-on assessment)

CNA Students Must Complete:

  • Lecture Levels I – III (60 Hours)
  • 100-hours of Clinical Externship is incorporated in the levels 1 -3.

CNA Course Levels

Clock Hours

Level I: • Roles & Responsibilities • Patient Rights • Interpersonal Skills • Prevention & Management Occurrences • Nutrition • Emergency Procedures • Death & Dying
14
Level II: • Body Mechanics • Medical & Surgical Asepsis • Weights & Measures, Patient Care Procedures • Vital Signs • Patient Care Skill
29
Level III: • Long Term Patient • Rehabilitation Nursing • Observation & Charting • Abuse
17
Clinical Externship
100
TOTAL
160

CNA Career Outcome & More Information

Certified Nurse Assistant in California

The data below shows the job market for Certified Nurses Assistants for the State of
California. CNEI cannot guarantee employment, salary levels, or career advancement.
The data is not specific to CNEI students or graduates.

EDD.CA

Salary Range

Yearly: $28,900 - $52,650
Hourly: $18.17 - $21.72

2023 median pay from BLS

CA SB 525, Durazo. Minimum wages: health care workers.

June 1, 2024, $21.00/hour
June 1, 2026, $23.00/hour
June 1, 2028, $25.00/hour  

Learn More about Certified Nurses Assistants

O*NET
  1. Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in California, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of CNEI. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. CNEI does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.
  2. Job Outlook: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/31-1131.00?zip=92270

Students from Southern California Communities

CNEI’s Certified Nurse Assistant program welcomes students from all parts of the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. The campus in Rancho Mirage serves learners from Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, and neighboring towns.

Many students from Riverside and San Bernardino counties join our CNA classes to prepare for certification and hands-on patient care work. Our institute values its deep connection with the local community and supports every student on their path toward becoming a skilled Certified Nurse Assistant.

While financial aid is not available for this course, we offer flexible payment plans and options to help make your education more accessible.

Start Your Certified Nursing Assistant Career. Request Information Today!

Your first step towards applying for your healthcare career starts here.

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CNA - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the work of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)?

Under the direction of a licensed nurse, a certified nurse assistant administers basic patient care. CNAs help patients with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, taking a shower, moving around, and keeping an eye on their vital signs. They are essential in maintaining a patient's comfort, safety, and dignity and also notify nursing staff of any changes in the patient's condition.

How long does it take to finish CNEI's CNA program?

With day classes lasting six weeks, evening sessions lasting thirteen weeks, or weekend sessions lasting fourteen weeks, CNEI's CNA program can be finished in as little as six weeks. To prepare students for patient care in the real world, each schedule combines classroom education with a clinical externship.

What are the prerequisites for CNEI's CNA program?

Students must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least seventeen years old. Completing 60 hours of theory and 100 hours of clinical training, getting a criminal background check, doing a Live Scan, and presenting documentation of state-mandated vaccinations are additional requirements for the CNA program. Additionally needed is a California driver's license or ID.

In California, what is the first step to becoming a certified nurse assistant?

Enrolling in a California state-approved CNA training program, like the one provided by CNEI, is the first step. Students can sign up for Credentia's state certification exam after successfully finishing the program. Graduates who pass the test are eligible to apply for jobs as certified nurse assistants.

Does the state of California approve and recognize CNEI's CNA program?

Indeed. The Licensing and Certification Division of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has approved the program. As a certified CNA testing facility, CNEI allows students to take their state exam on campus.

What is taught in CNEI's CNA program?

Long-term patient care, communication, body mechanics, nutrition, infection control, emergency procedures, rehabilitation nursing, and patient rights are among the topics that students study. A clinical externship helps students apply what they have learned in the classroom under the guidance of a professional by giving them practical experience in healthcare settings.

What is the salary of a certified nursing assistant in California?

In California, certified nurse assistants typically earn between $28,900 and $52,650 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A minimum wage of $21 per hour will be in effect starting in June 2024 and will rise to $25 by 2028 under the new state healthcare wage law (CA SB 525).

Where do CNEI CNA graduates usually find employment?

Hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and private home care agencies are among the places where graduates frequently find work. Many also work in clinics in the neighboring counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, as well as Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, and Cathedral City. Some choose to pursue advanced careers like LVN or RN by using their CNA experience.

Which materials or supplies are required for the CNA course?

On the first day, students are not required to bring any supplies. All required supplies, including clinical training uniforms, are provided by CNEI. The student portal or the administrative office can provide information about textbooks or other items.

What happens if I have to skip a CNA course class?

CNEI is aware that crises can happen. Although frequent absences may cause the completion of the course to be delayed, make-up classes are available in certain situations. To arrange a make-up session, students should get in touch with administration right away.

What is the cost of the California Certified Nursing Assistant exam?

Exam costs differ slightly based on the location and testing method. For the most recent information on exam costs and scheduling options, students are encouraged to visit the Credentia testing website or get in touch with CNEI's student services.

What can I anticipate from the written and skills CNA exams?

The two-hour written test consists of seventy multiple-choice questions. Candidates perform patient care tasks in a simulated setting during the approximately 25-minute skills test. Before the exam day, students are urged to review the content on their CNEI student portal.

If I finished my CNA training in another state, can I still work in California?

You must apply for reciprocity through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) if you hold a license from another state. After examining your qualifications, the department will decide whether you qualify for California certification.

Is there an online version of the CNA program?

No. To guarantee that students acquire practical skills and direct clinical experience with patients, CNEI's CNA program is entirely in-person. In authorized medical facilities throughout the Coachella Valley, the program blends classroom instruction with closely monitored clinical training.

What is the minimum age requirement to enroll in the CNA program?

To be eligible for enrollment, students must be at least seventeen years old by the start of the program.

When should I submit my Live Scan and how can I obtain it?

Prior to the first day of class, students ought to visit a Live Scan facility. The form and instructions required for this procedure are provided by CNEI. Results from Live Scans must be obtained prior to the start of clinical training and are valid for 90 days.

What happens if I've already finished a Live Scan for another job?

A new Live Scan tailored to the CNA program needs to be finished. Every educational or professional purpose in California necessitates a different screening.

Do certified nursing assistants form close bonds with their patients?

Indeed. Compared to other healthcare professionals, certified nursing assistants frequently spend the most time with patients. Especially in long-term care settings, they establish sincere connections and offer patients and their families both physical and emotional support.

In order to progress in the healthcare industry, can certified nursing assistants pursue further education?

Of course. In order to become Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), many CNAs go on to complete further education. A solid basis for upcoming healthcare training is provided by CNA experience.

How can I apply to CNEI's CNA program?

Students can use the CNEI website to request information or apply in person at the admissions office. After enrolling, the student portal provides access to all class schedules, program updates, and resources. For help, you can reach the administrative staff at (760) 454-7700.

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