NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Quest Nursing Education Center is approved by the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program (L&C), Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS) Services to offer a nursing assistant program. The program is a 4–6-week program designed to prepare individuals to become safe and competent Nursing Assistants and be eligible for certification by the California Department of Public Health as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and work in a variety of healthcare facilities.
The program consists of 100 hours of clinical time and 60 hours of theory classroom time.
The 60-hour theory portion of the program may be offered in an In-person format or in an online synchronous form. Upon completing the nursing assistant program, the student will be eligible to take a proficiency examination. After completing the program, passing the proficiency exam, and a cleared background check, certification is granted by the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program (L&C), Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS).
NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must be legally able to work in the United States
- Must have a valid social security card and picture ID
- High School Diploma/GED or take and entrance exam, or equivalent required, Foreign diplomas accepted if equivalent to U.S
- Speak, Read, an Write English (Evaluation of English proficiency will be required for non-native English speakers)
- Successfully pass a Physical health exam (completed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner) and an intradermal PPD skin test for tuberculosis (or chest x-ray as appropriate).
- Successfully pass a Criminal Screening Background Test.
- Pay Tuition.
Program length: 23 days
Sample Schedule: Monday- Friday 7am-3:30pm for 23 days.
Course deadlines: The last date to enroll in the nursing assistant training program is the first day of class if space is available.
Cities where clinical training may be held: San Leandro, Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, El Cerrito and other cities in Alameda County.
To successfully pass and graduate from the Nursing Assistant Program, the student must
- Obtain an overall course theory grade of at least 75%
- Obtain a passing grade on clinical- Pass is a successful demonstration of all required skills listed on the skills sheet as evaluated, documented, and graded by the instructor
- Complete all the necessary coursework, course hours, academic and clinical competencies, compliance with institution procedures and regulations, including resolving any outstanding institutional charges of fees or misconduct
Technology and Operating System Requirement.
For the Nursing Assistant training program (In-person and Online), students must connect to the internet, Zoom, and moodle learning management system. Students must also check their emails daily while enrolled in the program.
Quest Nursing Education Center recommends these laptops and desktop specifications based on several factors, including price-performance ratio, reliability, and customer service. The specifications below are the minimum recommended build; prices vary depending on the manufacturer and selected options. If your current laptop or tablet is more than three (3) years old, we highly recommend considering the purchase of a new laptop before beginning the NATP course.
- Desktop or laptop with Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 or macOS Sierra or more recent
- Core i5 Processor or higher
- 8 GB of RAM memory or higher
- 256 GB Solid State Drive or higher
- Wireless AC Dual Band Adapter
- 4+ Hours Battery Life
ENROLLMENT
HOW TO ENROLL – PLEASE REVIEW CLASS SCHEDULE PAGE
Option 1- ONLINE
- Fill out an online application- payment required.
- Representative will contact you to complete enrollment agreement
- Submit all required documents by due date (High school cert, social security card, ID, Live scan fingerprint, Physical exam, TB test or xray if applicable, Flu shot (during flu season- nov-march)
Option 2-Enroll in Person
- Complete enrollment agreement-Payment required
- Submit all required documents by due date (High school cert, social security card, ID, Live scan fingerprint, Physical exam, TB test or xray if applicable, Flu shot (during flu season- nov-march)
*Physical Exam/TB test- Must be completed within 90 days of end date of program
*Live scan Form – Must use form provided specifically for CNA program (Please note fingerprinting done for prior jobs/reasons are not accepted)
CNA PROGRAM – COURSE FEES- $1250– payable to institution
NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM TUITION BREAKDOWN
$250 Application/Registration Fee (Non Refundable*)
$250 Books and course materials* ( Non Refundable*, Not Returnable)
$150 Background Check Fee* (Non Refundable*)
$0 Student Tuition Recovery Fee ( Non Refundable*)
$600 Tuition ( $3.66 per clock hour)
_________________________
Total Charges Paid to Institution : $1250
*The student has a right to cancel and obtain a refund of charges according to the standards set forth by CEC 94920 (b) which states: Institutions shall refund 100 percent of the amount paid for institutional charges, less a reasonable deposit or application fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250), If notice of cancellation is made through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later.
Additional Charges (Approximate cost by student to a third party {student responsibility})- $312
American Red Cross Competency Exam- $105
Fingerprinting- $52
Physical Exam/TB tes/Flu Vaccine: $60
2 Uniforms (White Scrubs) and White tennis shoes- $65
Blood pressure kit: $30
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class/clinical sessions. Students may only miss 1 theory and 1 clinical sessions. Students who miss more than 1 theory and/or more than 1 clinical session will be automatically withdrawn from the course. A Missed clinical session must be made up to successfully complete the course. The scheduled date for the missed clinical session will be established with the course schedule. The student will have to enroll in a 1 day make-up course. The cost of this course is $200.
ABOUT THE CNA
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) are health care professionals who care for patients who are ill or need assistance patients in meeting their daily needs. Job responsibilities of the CNA include but are not limited to bathing, dressing, ambulatory care, running errands, performing light housekeeping, feeding assistance, recording fluid input and output, taking patient vitals, stocking medical supplies and emptying catheter bags. CNAs work directly under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
CNAs work in a variety of health care settings such as Skilled Nursing Facilities, Rehabilitation Centers, Hospitals, Adult Day health centers, Emergency Departments, and other facilities. The CNA job is an entry level position that can jump start your career into the nursing and medical field. A CNA typically makes $14-$21/hr depending on the geographical location, years of experience, employer and organization size.
Career Opportunities
A Certified Nursing Assistant may consider pursuing a career in nursing and other medical fields. This gives the CNA an advantage to other students because of the hands on clinical experience they have. Specific related career opportunities may include licensed vocational nursing, registered nursing, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, physician, physicians assistant, and radiologist.
CNA COMPETENCIES
The Nursing Assistant Course is designed to provide the student with nursing theory, laboratory and clinical experience necessary to work as a CNA in a variety of health care settings. Classroom simulation will be utilized to reinforce clinical training.
Competencies for the CNA in Theory include instruction in the following areas:
Introduction,
Patient’s Rights
Interpersonal Skills
Prevention Management of Catastrophe and Unusual Occurrence
Body Mechanics
Medical and Surgical Asepsis
Weights and Measures
Patient Care Skills
Patient Care Procedures
Vital Signs
Nutrition
Emergency Procedures
Long-Term Care Patient
Rehabilitative Nursing
Observation and Charting
Death and Dying
Competencies for the CNA in Clinical include instruction in the following areas:
Resident Rights
Safety Restraints/Side Rails
Catastrophe/Unusual Occurrence
Body Mechanics – transferring, hoyer lift, ambulation, position techniques
Universal precautions, preventing infection
Weight and Measures – measuring intake and output
Resident Care Skills – bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, hair care, incontinency and skin care, bedpan, urinal, commode
Resident Care Procedures – collection of specimens, catheter, oxygen, bed making, enemas and suppositories, admissions, transfers, discharges, topical ointment application, non-sterile dressings
Vital Signs
Nutrition – feeding techniques
Emergency Procedures
Rehabilitative Nursing – adaptive equipment, motivation/ADL’s, resident/family interaction, ambulation, range of motion
Observation and Charting – reporting responsibility, resident care plans
