Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Health and Public Services Guided Pathway Division

NURSING ASSISTANT COURSE DESCRIPTION

Certified Nurse Assistant (Nursing 03A - 03B) (Non-Credit)
This nursing assistant 8-week course prepares the student for an entry level health care worker position in the long-term care skilled nursing facility. Emphasis is given to safety principles, infection control nursing procedures for providing physical care, and emotional and social support. Students will learn basic vital sign assessment and patient observation and reporting skills. The course consists of lecture, campus skills laboratory practice and clinical experiences. Clinical training consists of direct resident care, the application of basic human needs knowledge and basic nursing care skills to geriatric and compromised residents living in long-term care facilities.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student is eligible to sit for the State of California Certified Nursing Assistant certification examination. Certified Nursing Assistants enter at the first level of the nursing career ladder and report directly to the Licensed Vocational Nurse or Registered Nurse. Students who complete the CNA Program will earn 5 points on their Compton College Associate Degree in Nursing application.

The application for CNA certification requires fingerprinting and a background check. Applicants who have been convicted of a criminal offense may not be eligible for certification.

Please contact our office at or visit the certification requirements at: www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/pages/cna.

Courses are offered in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Deadlines to Apply:

Spring 2025 first 8-weeks applications accepted through December 6, 2024
Spring 2025 second 8-weeks applications accepted through March 3, 2025

Click Here for Application Checklist

The Need for Allied Health Professionals

The National Center for Workforce Analysis reports that more than 50% of states reported shortages of allied health personnel and California ranks 48 among states in per capital health services employment. This will get worse as the total population of California grows 39% through 2020 and the over 65 population grows 58%. The Certified Nursing Assistant Programs is designed to fill the employment gap of caregivers working with the elderly in long-term care facilities.

Course Catalog (PDF)

Contact Information:

Health and Public Services Division
Dr. Wanda Coleman-Morris, Ed.D, MN, RN, CNS
Interim Associate Dean of Nursing, Program Director
wcolemanmorris@compton.edu