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Certified Nursing Assistant

nursing assistants helping a man walk in physical therapy

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program Description


The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, as part of the Allied Health department, is a full-term class that provides interested students the opportunity to experience the field of nursing, and decide if this career might be for them, without making a long term commitment. The CNA Program currently accommodates 30 students each semester.

This is a one semester, 160-180 hour course, including lectures and clinical practice, which prepares students to take the  as a Certified Nursing Assistant. There is a required 27-hour skilled lab co-requisite course.

CNA certification is an excellent preparation for students desiring to pursue a VN or RN license.  CNA job opportunities are widely available in acute care hospitals and skilled care nursing. 

Clinical Sites:

  • Hemet Hills Post Acute
  • San Jacinto Post Acute
  • Temecula Healthcare

Table of Contents


Program Enrollment Process

1. Must have an MSJC student ID number. Apply for admissions here.

2. Download Pre-registration Application Packet and fill it out.

 

Application available here during Application Filing Period


Application Information

Dates and Deadlines 

Term Application Period and Deadline Acceptance Packet Deadline

Fall

May 1 - May 15 2nd week of July
Spring

October 1 - October 15

2nd week of December

 

Applications may be submitted through either of these methods:

Scanned and emailed to the nursingandah@msjc.edu email address.
Please Note: Documents MUST be in PDF or JPEG format
MUST include subject line: FA2025 CNA Application

OR

Downloaded, printed and delivered to the Nursing and Allied Health Department during regular business hours. Applications MUST be in a sealed envelope.

Hours: Mondays - Thursdays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM


CNA Workshops

Questions about the CNA Program? Come to an Information Workshop!

No appointment is necessary to attend the workshop! Please log on 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled workshop. At the end of the workshop, the presenter will be able to answer any questions that you may have.

Open to the public: You do not have to be currently enrolled at MSJC to attend this workshop.

Workshops / Time Location Date(s)

Information Workshops

Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Link will be posted here the week of/before the Workshop. TBA

Mission Statement

The mission of the CNA Program is to provide students with the foundational nursing knowledge and clinical experience, preparing them for state certification and entry-level healthcare careers, while supporting future advancement in the nursing profession.


Program Learning Outcomes

  • Perform safe, competent, and therapeutic nursing assistant care to maintain optimum wellness of the client and families.
  • Apply basic principles of physical, social, cultural, and spiritual assessment to the nursing assistant care of the client and families.
  • Identify and report abnormal physical and social assessment findings to the interdisciplinary patient care team.
  • Participate in the plan of care for clients and families in a variety of health care settings.
  • Demonstrate effective therapeutic communication and professionalism to clients, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrate ethical, legal and safety standards to clients, families and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
  • Prepare to successfully pass the 
  • Qualify to be employed as a nursing assistant.

Program Requirements

To be completed upon acceptance into the program

Program requirements found in the acceptance packet include the following:

  1. CNA Preregistration Application
  2. American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider Certification (CPR Card)
  3. Proof of negative TB – 2 Step-Mantoux Skin Test or TB quantiFERON Gold 
  4. COVID-19 Vaccine - recommended, no longer required
  5. Physical exam (MSJC form only)
  6. Drug Screening
  7. Live Scan (Background Check) CDPH form BCIA 8016
  8. Professional Student Liability Insurance and Personal Health Insurances (The Nurses Service Organization)
  9. Demographic Questionnaire
  10. Student Picture ID
  11. Purchase of MSJC CNA uniform

Other Requirements:

  • Attend the mandatory CNA orientation
  • Complete Fit Test for N95 mask
  • Complete Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Initial Application CDPH form 283B (will need social security and ITIN number)

 

NOTE: The is able to help our Nursing & Allied Health students with appointment for Physical Exams (including immunization review or order lab work), TB test, and Drug Screening. Feel free to contact them for more information regarding Student Services they provide via email or call (951) 465-8371.


 

Accreditation

The Certified Nursing Assistant Program at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is accreditated by the .

The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program stands as the largest nurse aide certification examination program within the United States. This comprehensive assessment comprises two essential segments: a written or oral component and a practical skills demonstration. It is worth noting that the oral portion of the exam is available in both English and Spanish to accommodate a wider range of candidates. It is important to emphasize that the NNAAP certification exam is designed to assess entry-level nurse aides and nursing assistants with up to 12 months of experience post-certification. 


Questions or interest in CNA/CHHA?

Contact by phone 951-639-5577 or email nursingandah@msjc.edu if you have any questions.