Nurse Assistant Program – State‑Approved CNA Training

• Duration: 160 total hours (60 hours of classroom theory/lab + 100 hours of supervised clinical training)​

• Curriculum: Follows California’s state-approved nurse assistant training guidelines​, ensuring you learn the essential skills and standards of care.

• Outcome: Prepares you to take the California state Nurse Assistant competency exam (NNAAP/CEP) and become a Certified Nurse Assistant​. After successfully finishing the course and passing the exam, you will be eligible for CNA certification recognized statewide.

CNA vs. Nurse Assistant – What’s the Difference?

“Nurse Assistant” vs “CNA” – The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a simple distinction. Nurse Assistant generally refers to someone who has been trained to assist nurses with patient care. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is the title you earn after you pass the state certification exam. In other words, you complete a nurse assistant training program and then take the state test to become “certified”​. Until you pass the exam, you are not yet a CNA, which is why our program is called Nurse Assistant training. This naming follows California regulations – only those who have passed the state competency test can legally be called Certified Nurse Assistants​. Rest assured, the Nurse Assistant program at MCC leads directly to CNA certification; there is no difference in the role or duties once certified, only the process of achieving the credential.

(In California, schools use the title “Nurse Assistant” for the training program because students cannot present themselves as Certified until they successfully complete the state certification exam​.)

We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate different needs. Students can choose either a full-time daytime schedule or a part-time evening/weekend schedule:

• 5-Week Daytime Schedule (AM) – Classes run Monday through Friday for 5 weeks. Classroom instruction is typically 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, and clinical practice shifts are 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM​. Available at all campuses (Riverside, Victorville, and San Bernardino).

• 7-Week Evening/Weekend Schedule (PM) – Classes run for 7 weeks with evening theory sessions Tuesday – Thursday (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM) and hands-on clinical sessions on Saturday – Sunday (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM)​. Offered at our Riverside and Victorville campuses.

Both schedules cover the same 160-hour curriculum and prepare you equally for certification – choose the timing that works best for you. (Program schedules are subject to change; upcoming start dates are updated regularly.)

Mission Career College offers the Nurse Assistant program at three locations in Southern California:

• Riverside – Main Campus (3750 Santa Fe Ave., Riverside, CA 92507)
• Victorville – Branch Campus (15447 Anacapa Rd., Suite 100, Victorville, CA 92392)
• San Bernardino – Satellite Campus (2211 Hunts Lane, Suite Q, San Bernardino, CA 92408)

You can choose the campus closest to you for classroom instruction. All campuses provide the same state-approved curriculum and have clinical partnerships for the required hands-on training.  (Note: The Evening/Weekend schedule is currently offered in Riverside and Victorville, while the daytime schedule is available at all three locations​.)

Each campus is equipped with skills labs and experienced instructors to ensure you get quality training.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant in California involves a few important steps. Our program is designed to guide you through this process smoothly:

1. Complete the 160-Hour Training: Successfully finish the Nurse Assistant course (all theory, lab, and clinical requirements) and pass the program’s final exam. This satisfies the state training prerequisite for certification.​
2. Pass the State CNA Exam: After training, you will take the state competency evaluation exam for nurse assistants. This exam has two parts – a written (or oral) multiple-choice test and a practical skills demonstration. You must pass both parts to become certified. (California allows up to three attempts for each portion of the exam if needed​.) Once you pass, you are officially a Certified Nurse Assistant.
3. Obtain Your CNA Certification: Upon passing the state exam, you will be listed on the California nurse aide registry and receive your CNA certificate. The certification is issued by the California Department of Public Health and is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.​
4. Maintain and Renew Certification: To continue working as a CNA, you must renew your certification every two years. Renewal in California requires proof of 48 hours of continuing education and at least 8 hours of paid work as a CNA during each 2-year period​. (If a certification expires or the renewal requirements are not met, you may need to retrain and re-test to become certified again​.)

Note: Federal law (OBRA) mandates that all nurse assistant trainees pass a competency exam to ensure quality of care in healthcare facilities​. Also, be aware that the California Department of Public Health will conduct a background check when you apply for CNA certification – certain serious criminal convictions can disqualify applicants from becoming certified​. (MCC advisors can provide guidance if you have questions about background clearance.)

Throughout the Nurse Assistant program, students build a foundation of knowledge and skills required for effective patient care. Key competencies and skills you will learn include:

• Basic Nursing Skills: How to measure and record vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations) and recognize normal vs. abnormal readings​. You will also learn how to observe and report changes in a patient’s condition.

• Personal Care Techniques: Assisting patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding​. This includes safe techniques for moving/transferring patients (e.g. from bed to wheelchair) and proper body mechanics to prevent injuries.

• Infection Control & Safety: Proper hygiene and infection prevention practices, including hand-washing protocols, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining a clean, safe environment​. You will learn to follow safety procedures and emergency protocols to protect both patients and caregivers.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Effective communication with patients, families, and the healthcare team. This covers therapeutic communication techniques, respecting patient privacy and dignity, and working collaboratively under the supervision of RNs or LVNs​. Developing good bedside manner and cultural sensitivity is emphasized.

• Patient Rights and Care Ethics: Understanding patients’ rights, confidentiality (HIPAA), and ethical considerations in caregiving. The program covers how to provide compassionate care for elderly and chronically ill patients, including those with cognitive impairments (such as dementia), while respecting their rights and promoting independence​.

By the end of the course, you will be proficient in the essential duties of a nurse assistant, prepared to provide safe and competent care to residents in long-term care facilities and patients in clinical settings. The training is hands-on, and you will have the opportunity to practice skills in a real clinical environment under instructor supervision before taking the state exam.

Mission Career College offers an additional opportunity for students who wish to expand their healthcare qualifications: the Home Health Aide (HHA) program. This 40-hour course (Nursing Assistant 102) is available to students who have completed the 160-hour Nurse Assistant training.

Purpose: The Home Health Aide program prepares students to qualify for certification as a Home Health Aide through the California Department of Public Health. It is designed to build on your CNA-level training and introduce the skills required to provide direct care to patients in home environments.

Curriculum: The 40-hour HHA course covers practical topics essential to safe, effective home care:

• Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) in the home
• Maintaining safety in residential care environments
• Meal preparation and nutrition for in-home clients
• Communication and emotional support for homebound patients
• Understanding the differences between facility-based and in-home care

Outcome: After successful completion of the HHA course, students are eligible to apply for California Home Health Aide certification. This added credential opens doors to employment with home health agencies, hospice providers, and other in-home care organizations. Many Certified Nurse Assistants choose to earn their HHA certification to expand their job opportunities and serve patients in a wider range of care settings.

Note: The Home Health Aide course is optional but strongly recommended for students interested in working in home care. Completion of the Nurse Assistant (CNA) program is required before enrolling in the HHA program.

The Nurse Assistant program has specific admission requirements to ensure students are ready for the training and meet state compliance standards. To enroll, applicants must complete the following:

• Age and Education: Must be at least 16 years old (minimum age required for nurse assistant students in California)​. No high school diploma is required for admission into the program, but applicants will take an entry assessment test if no diploma or GED is provided (to ensure basic reading and math skills).

• Application Form: Submit a completed Mission Career College application for the Nurse Assistant program before the class start date​. This includes all required enrollment paperwork provided by the admissions office.

• Government ID and Social Security Card: Provide a valid photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) and an SSN card for identity verification​. These are required for background check and state certification records.

• Physical Exam & Immunizations: Show proof of a recent physical examination and up-to-date immunizations including TB clearance. You must be in good health and free of communicable diseases to ensure patient safety​. (Healthcare facilities require TB test results and may require vaccination records for Hepatitis B, COVID-19, flu, etc.)

• CPR Certification: Possess a current CPR Certification for Healthcare Providers (BLS – Basic Life Support)​. If you do not have this yet, MCC can guide you on how to obtain CPR training before or during the program.

• Background Check (Live Scan Fingerprinting): Undergo a Live Scan fingerprint background check as required by California law​. A clear criminal history is mandatory — any convictions listed under state disqualifying penal codes can prevent CNA certification. MCC will provide the Live Scan forms and instructions.

Please note: All requirements must be completed before starting the clinical rotation, since clinical sites will only allow students who have cleared health and background checks. If an applicant’s health status or background check does not meet the safety standards, they may be denied admission or removed from the program for the protection of patients​. Our admissions team can answer any questions about these requirements and assist you in the process (such as scheduling a physical or finding CPR classes).

After obtaining your CNA certification, you will be qualified for entry-level positions in a variety of healthcare settings​. Certified Nurse Assistants are in demand anywhere patients need basic care and monitoring. Common workplaces for CNAs include:

• Long-Term Care Facilities and Nursing Homes: The majority of CNAs work in skilled nursing facilities, caring for elderly or disabled residents. You will assist with daily activities and help maintain residents’ quality of life in nursing homes or assisted living centers.
• Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers: Many hospitals employ CNAs (often called Nurse Aides or Patient Care Assistants) to support RNs and LPNs on nursing units. CNAs in hospitals take vital signs, help with patient hygiene, transport patients, and ensure comfort. Rehabilitation hospitals or acute rehab units also hire CNAs to assist patients recovering from surgeries or injuries. (Some acute care settings may require or prefer applicants who have taken additional acute care nurse assistant training.)
• Home Health Care: With a CNA license – especially if you also obtain the Home Health Aide certification – you can work for home health agencies. In this role, you travel to patients’ homes to assist with personal care, exercise, light housekeeping, and other tasks to support clients who live at home​. Home health CNAs/HHAs play a vital role in helping patients maintain independence in a home setting.

• Clinics and Assisted Living: Some outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, and assisted living facilities hire CNAs for patient care support. In assisted living communities, CNAs help residents with medications, grooming, and coordination of care under the supervision of a nurse. In clinics, duties might include taking patient vitals and prepping patients for exams.

These are just a few examples. With your CNA, you may work in hospices, adult day care centers, or rehabilitation facilities as well​. Wherever you work, you will be a critical member of the healthcare team, providing compassionate, hands-on care to those who need it. Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone to other healthcare careers (for example, becoming an LVN or RN), but it is also a fulfilling career on its own, with steady demand in the healthcare field.