CNA Program In California

Before enrolling in a certified nursing assistant program, the candidate must meet the below mentioned prerequisites.

• One should be of 17-years-old at the time of admission.
• The candidate must possess a valid California ID.
• It is mandatory for an applicant to pass a drug screening and TB test.
• S/he should not be involved in any felony.
• High school diploma or a GED is the basic educational qualification that every aspirant must possess mandatorily.
• Submit the reports of criminal background check and fingerprinting.

It is compulsory to undergo program of 150 hours, in order to get certified. Of this complete program period, 100 hours are for clinical practice that is done under the supervision of experienced medical professionals while 60 hours are given to classroom sessions. Successful completion of this course qualifies the students for appearing in the state competency test. You may have to shell out between $600 and $1000 to pay the fees of the coursework. But, if your financial condition doesn’t allow you to pay such a huge amount, you can opt for free CNA Program which is provided by several nursing homes, job corps, American Red Cross Society, etc.

CNA Program curriculum involves wide range of topics such as basic human anatomy, administration of medication, patient grooming and hygiene, patient rights, healthcare facility emergency handling and protocol, infection control, medical terminology, patient documentation, basic nutrition, usage of various equipments, abuse recognition, etc. Along with in-depth theory, CNA classes also include clinical component and practices under supervision. The hands-on practical program introduces you to the challenges of the real work settings.

1. Why one should pursue CNA career in California?

Answer: There are countless program schools in CA that offer CNA programs. For an aspirant, it is easy to locate good CNA classes in his/her vicinity. According to the BLS reports, California is the second highest employment providing state in the USA. Hence, one can expect excellent job prospects in this state.

2. Will I obtain a degree/diploma after successfully completing my CNA program?

Answer: Yes, the respective institute from where you have pursued the program program will offer you a certificate of completion of the nurse aide course.

3. How much does the program cost in California?

Answer: The cost of CNA program in this state ranges from $600 – $1000.

• California Legion Auxiliary Past Presidents Parley Nursing Scholarship
  This scholarship is awarded to only one candidate every year. The amount of the scholarship is $2,000. For obtaining it, the applicant must meet the following conditions:
  • S/he should be a veteran or veteran’s widow or widower, husband or wife, or a child of a veteran of the Persian Gulf, Panama, Lebanon/Grenada, Vietnam Conflict, Korea, and/or World Wars.
  • The candidate must be interested in nursing or already enrolled in an accredited institution in California.
  • Must be a resident of CA.

Once you obtain this scholarship, you will be disqualified to obtain the award of $2,000 in the future, but may apply for an award of lesser amount.

Contact Details
American Legion Auxiliary Department of California
Address: 205 13th Street, Suite 3300, San Francisco, CA 94103-2461
Contact Number: (415) 861-5092
Fax: (415) 861-8365
Website: http://www.calegionaux.org

• Vocational Nurse Scholarship
  Health Professions Education Foundation offers Vocational Nurse Scholarship that is funded through private grants or donations. The applicant may receive amount up to $4000.To apply for the scholarship, you must
  • have a Grade Point Average of 2.0 or more;
  • be agree to work in a medically underserved area for at least 2 years;
  • be presently enrolled in a vocational nurse aide program in CA;
  • have no work obligation after completion of the program;
  • submit all the requisite documents prior to the deadline.
    Contact Details:
    Health Professions Education Foundation
    Address: –400 R Street, Suite 460, Sacramento, CA 95811-6213
    Contact Number: – (916) 326-3640
    Fax Number: – (916) 324-6585
•  Cal Grant Program
  Qualifying students can avail the benefits of Cal Grant awards which are funded by the State of California. The applicant may receive awards up to $12,192 yearly. However, only a few schools that are listed on the website of the program offer this grant.
  Contact Details:
  California Student Aid Commission
  Student Support Services Branch
  P.O. Box- 419027
  Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027

• A.W. Bodine – Sunkist Growers Scholarship
  The scholarship is open for all the students whose parents/siblings/grandparents used to work, or is currently working in the agricultural industry of California. There are several factors that are taken into account when determining the student’s eligibility such as:-
  • grade point average
  • college board test scores
  • recommendations from third parties
  • essay completion
  • submission of application before 30th April
  • personal/family involvement in California agriculture

• California One Stop Career Centers – Tri Cities
  These institutions help the unemployed and displaced workers, and provide them assistance in searching jobs. Qualified candidates learn the basic employment and interview skills, and are linked with the tuition assistance and programs.
  Contact Details
  Tri-Cities One-Stop Career Centers
  Address: – 39155 Liberty Street, B200, Fremont, CA 94538
  Contact Number: – (510) 794-3669
  Website: – https://www.ohlone.edu/careercenter

• NOVA Program of Silicone Valley
  NOVA is a federally-funded and nonprofit agency that provides funds to train the eligible candidates for different jobs.
  Contact Details
  NOVA Workforce Development
  Address: – 505 West Olive Avenue, Suite 550, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
  Contact Number: – (408) 730-7232
  Website: – https://novaworks.org/

• California Human Development
  If you want to become independent and self-sufficient by pursuing further program and education, contact California Human Development (CHD). CHD provides program assistance to the eligible candidates so that they can grab the excellent employment opportunities.
  Contact Details:
  Address: – 3315 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
  Contact Number: – (707) 523-1155
  Fax: – (707) 523-3776
  Website: – https://californiahumandevelopment.org/

• Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program – Oakland
  The program program is sponsored by the Workforce Investment Board and Mayor’s Office. The program conducts internship programs and pre-employment workshops to expose youth to potential career paths.

Question: – Hello, one of my friends told me that some nursing homes offer free CNA Program. Is it right? What if I don’t finish the program successfully?

Answer: – Yes, the nursing home will hire you and pay for your CNA Program if you enter into an agreement to work there for a certain period of time after completion of the program. In some cases, where the candidates do not qualify the certification exam, or drop out of the program program, they have to reimburse the program cost to the employer.

Question: – How can I maximize my chances of receiving Cal Grant?

Answer: – You should remember one thing that this grant is available at certain schools only which are listed on the program website, so you must submit your application by 2nd March to maximize the chances.

Question: – What are the program requirements for CNA if I apply online?

Answer: – Well, it depends on the school, but there are some general requirements that you must fulfill.

• Age of the applicant should be 18 years or older and s/he need to submit the proof of the same.
• The applicant must have high school diploma or equivalent.
• The aspirant should show negative hepatitis and tuberculosis test.
• He/she should pass a criminal background check.