Certified Nursing Assistant
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 State of California Certification Examination 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
- Enrollment Process
- Application Information
- CNA Workshops
- Mission Statement
- Program Learning Outcomes
- Program Requirements
- Accreditation
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 for Spring 2026 will be available here October 1, 2025.
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 State of California, Department of Health, National Nurse Assistant Assessment Program (N.N.A.A.P.) exam
- Qualify to be employed as a nursing assistant.
Program Requirements
To be completed upon acceptance into the program. MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO APPLY.
Program requirements found in the acceptance packet include the following:
- CNA Preregistration Application
- American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider Certification (CPR Card)
- Proof of negative TB – 2 Step-Mantoux Skin Test or TB quantiFERON Gold
- COVID-19 Vaccine - recommended, no longer required
- Physical exam (MSJC form only)
- Drug Screening
- Live Scan (Background Check) CDPH form BCIA 8016
- Professional Student Liability Insurance and Personal Health Insurances (The Nurses Service Organization)
- Demographic Questionnaire
- Student Picture ID
- 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 Student Health Center 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 Mt. San Jacinto College is accredited by the National Nurse Aid Assesment Program (NNAAP).
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 the CNA program?
Contact by phone 951-639-5577 or email nursingandah@msjc.edu if you have any questions.