CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA)

“Our high-quality education, steady commitment, community involvement and resourceful professional networks are your keys to your dreams and success into a successful medical and clinical career and beyond.” –SoCal Nursing Academy

Introduction To Our CNA/NATP Curriculum

Theory and Clinical Hours

Student Tuition, Financial Aid and Admission Process/Requirements

Attendance and Make-Up Policies

Affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), In-service and Orientation

Competency Evaluation Testing, Examination Support and NNAAP®

Job Placement

Continuing Education for CNAs and HHAs

More Information and FAQs

Introduction To Our CNA/NATP Curriculum

Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. (SoCal Nursing) is an accredited and established Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) in California that has been approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS), and Training Program Review Unit (TPRU).

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum comprehensively trains our valued students with the required and approved 60 hours of theory/didactics and 100 hours of hands-on clinical skills in affiliated outpatient Skilled Nursing Facilities necessary for an entry-level positions as a competent and capable Certified Nursing Assistant. One of the principal ambitions of SoCal Nursing is to adequately deliver high-quality nursing assistant knowledge and clinical skills to work effectively and successfully as a Certified Nurse Assistant in numerous clinical and medical practice and health care services sites such as those in the outpatient Skilled Nursing Facilities, private home health locations, and other in-hospital and out-of-hospital establishments.

SoCal Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum includes one of the leading platforms in nursing assistant preparation required and approved 60 hours of theory/didactics, which must be completed in the classroom prior to having the designated nursing assistant clinical skills for that particular module of the program.

There are sixteen (16) hours of state and federal required Certified Nursing Assistant student theory/didactics classroom training in the following areas prior to any direct contact with our valued resident(s) and patient(s) in SoCal Nursing’s affiliated clinical Skilled Nursing Facility sites:

1.) Communication and interpersonal skills (Modules 1, 3, 15A, C)

2.) Infection control (Modules 1, 3, 15A, C)

3.) Safety and emergency procedures including the Heimlich maneuver (Modules 4, 5, 12)

4.) Promoting the independence of patients/residents (Modules 8E, H, 14)

5.) Respecting the rights of patients/residents (Modules 2, 16C)

SoCal Nursing will provide all of the theory/didactics components of Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, and 14, which totals fifteen (15) hours with one (1) additional hour of any one of the following Modules 15A, 15C, 8E, 8H, or 16C.

The students may then begin the clinical skills portion of the required 100 hours of Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum. The remainders of the classroom/theory modules are taught concurrently (at this same time, occurring together) with the clinical training for all of our valued Certified Nursing Assistant students.

Note: SoCal Nursing’s Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum may finish all fifty (50) hours of theory/didactics in the classroom at the beginning of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program if they use significant “classroom laboratory skills competency time” during the theory training but it should be noted that the “classroom laboratory skills competency time” does not count as part of the required one-hundred and sixty (160) hours. The next one-hundred (100) hours of clinical skills competency testing and evaluation may follow, if applicable to the current and approved schedule by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Theory

Module 1: Introduction (2 hours)
1. Roles and responsibilities of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
2. Title 22
3. Requirements for nurse assistant certification
4. Professionalism
5. Ethics and confidentiality
Module 2: Patient’s Rights (2 hours)
1. Title 22
2. Health and Safety Code
3. Code of Federal Regulations
Module 3: Interpersonal Skills (2 hours)
1. Communications
2. Defense mechanisms
3. Sociocultural factors
4. Attitudes illness / health care
5. Family interaction
Module 4: Prevention Management of Catastrophe and Unusual Occurrence (2 hours)
1. Emergency
2. General safety rules
3. Fire and disaster plans
4. Roles and procedures for CNA
5. Patient safety
Module 5: Body Mechanics (2 hours)
1. Basic body mechanics
2. Transfer techniques
3. Ambulation
4. Proper body mechanics / positioning techniques
Module 6: Medical and Surgical Asepsis (2 hours)
1. Microorganisms
2. Universal precautions
3. Principles of asepsis
Module 7: Weights and Measures (1 hour)
1. Metric system
2. Weight, length, and liquid volume
3. Military time, i.e., a 24-hour clock
Module 8: Patient Care Skills (14 hours)
1. Bathing / medicinal baths
2. Dressing
3. Oral hygiene
4. Hair care, shampoo, medicinal shampoo, nail care, shaving
5. Prosthetic devices
6. Skin care / decubitus ulcers
7. Elimination needs
8. Bowel and bladder retraining
9. Weigh and measure patient
Module 9: Patient Care Procedures (7 hours)
1. Collection of specimens, including: stool, urine, and sputum
2. Care of patient with tubing, gastric, oxygen, urinary, IV. This care does not include inserting, suctioning, or changing the tubes.
3. I and O
4. Bed making
5. Cleansing enemas, laxative suppositories
6. Admission, transfer, discharge
7. Bandages, non-sterile dry dressing application of non-legend topical ointments to
8. Intact skin
Module 10: Vital Signs (3 hours)
1. Purpose of vital signs
2. Factors affecting vital signs
3. Normal ranges
4. Methods of measurement
5. Temperature, pulse, respiration
6. Blood pressure
7. Abnormalities
8. Recording
Module 11: Nutrition (2 hours)
1. Proper nutrition
2. Feeding technique
3. Diet therapy
Module 12: Emergency Procedures (2 hours)
1. Signs and symptoms of distress
2. Immediate and temporary intervention
3. Emergency codes
Module 13: Long – Term Care Patient (2 hours)
1. Needs of persons with retardation, Alzheimer’s, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, dementia, mental illness
2. Introduction to anatomy and physiology
3. Physical and behavioral needs and changes
4. Community resources available
5. Psychological, social, and recreational needs
6. Common diseases / disorders including signs and symptoms
Module 14: Rehabilitative Nursing (2 hours)
1. Promoting patient potential
2. Devices and equipment
3. ADLs
4. Family interactions
5. Complications of inactivity
6. Ambulation
7. ROM
Module 15: Observation and Charting (4 hours)
1. Observation of patients and reporting responsibilities
2. Patient care plan
3. Patient care documentation
4. Legal issues of charting
5. Medical terminology and abbreviations
Module 16: Death and Dying (2 hours)
1. Stages of grief
2. Emotional and spiritual needs of patient and family
3. Rights of dying patient
4. Signs of approaching death
5. Monitoring the patient
6. Postmortem care

Application and Live Scan: Upon enrollment in Southern California Nursing Academy’s Training Program for nurse assistant certification, and prior to direct patient contact with residents, a candidate for training shall submit a training and examination application and proof of Live Scan fingerprinting to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Health Examination: Each Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) student enrolled in Southern California Nursing Academy’s certification program shall have a health examination, which includes a medical history and physical examination, a purified protein derivative, intermediate strength intradermal skin test for tuberculosis, unless medically contraindicated. If a positive reaction is obtained, a chest x-ray shall be taken, unless medically contraindicated. A report signed by the examiner shall indicate that the student does not have any health condition that would create a hazard to themselves, fellow employees, or patients. This examination shall be completed and documented prior to the students having direct patient care contact in the clinical setting. This information shall be provided to the nursing facility prior to patient contact.

Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Clinical Hours

SoCal Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) meets the required one hundred (100) hours of clinical training in the Skilled Nursing Facilities under the immediate supervision of the approved RN Program Director, Director of Staff Development (DSD), and Instructor between the clinical hours of 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The clinical training shall include demonstration by the Instructor or DSD of basic patient care skills based upon the theory/didactic and clinical instructions presented in the classroom portion of the curriculum. Return demonstrations by the nursing assistant students are also required and shall be under the immediate supervision (present when student is performing the clinical psychomotor skills) of the DSD or Instructor and shall be done in the affiliated clinical setting with direct hands-on patient and resident care.

SoCal Nursing Academy’s Clinical Site Agreement is valid for 2 years with its approved affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that have great standing with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or other long term care clinical health care service facilities to provide the 100 hours of supervised clinical training for the nursing assistant students.

SoCal Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Skills Check List is used for each student in the Training Program and include a listing of the required and approved clinical duties and skills the Certified Nurse Assistant students must learn and apply through psychomotor clinical skills and comprehensive hands-on patient through the approved NATP RN Program Director, Director of Staff Development (DSD), and/or mainly the SoCal Nursing Instructor(s).

The approved SoCal Nursing NATP RN Program Director is concurrently recording the date when the nurse assistant students performs these clinical duties and skills and notes effectively satisfactory or unsatisfactory performances with spaces to record the initial and title of the Department approved instructor, providing the immediate supervision to our valued nurse assistant students.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Clinical Hours

MODULE 6: Medical and Surgical Asepsis (8 Hours Clinical)

1. Hand washing
2. Proper handling of linen
3. Universal precautions
  1. Gloving
  2. Gowning
  3. Apply mask
4. Double bagging trash/waste

MODULE 5: Body Mechanics (4 Hours Clinical)

1. Use of gait belt
2. Helping the helpless resident up to the head of the bed with two assistants
3. Turning and positioning the resident
  1. Supine
  2. Side-lying
  3. Use of lift sheet
4. Assisting transfer from bed to chair or wheelchair
5. Assisting transfer from chair or wheelchair to bed
6. Mechanical lift

MODULE 2: Body Resident’s Rights (1 Hour Clinical)

1. Knocks on door before entering
2. Pulls privacy curtains during personal care
3. Keeps resident information confidential
4. Treats resident with respect and dignity
5. Encourages resident to make choices
6. Explains procedure to resident

MODULE 14: Rehabilitative/Restorative Care (4 Hours Clinical)

1. Range of motion exercises
2. Assisting the resident to ambulate with gait belt
3. Assisting the resident to ambulate with walker
4. Assisting the resident to ambulate with cane
5. Rehabilitative devices

MODULES 4 and 12: Emergency Procedures and Prevention of Catastrophe (2 Hours Clinical)

1. Applying postural supports (safety devises)
2. Applying soft wrist/ankle restraint as safety device
3. Heimlich maneuver for the conscious resident
4. Heimlich maneuver for the unconscious resident
5. Positioning of call light
6. Demonstrates fire/disaster procedures
7. Handles O2 safely
8. Use of fire extinguisher

MODULE 8: Patient Care Skills (44 Hours Clinical)

1. Back rub
2. Bed bath/partial bath
3. Tub bath
4. Shower
5. Assisting with oral hygiene
6. Mouth care of the unconscious resident
7. Denture care
8. Nail care
9. Combing the resident’s hair
10. Shampoo of bedridden resident
11. Shampoo with shower or tub bath
12. Medicinal shampoo
13. Shaving – electrical shaver
14. Shaving – razor blade
15. Dressing and undressing the resident
16. Changing the clothes of resident with IV
17. Assist in the use of urinal
18. Assist in the use of the bedpan
19. Assisting resident to commode/toilet
20. Bladder retraining
21. Bowel retraining
22. Perineal care
23. Artificial limbs
24. Splints
25. Applying a behind-the-ear hearing aid
26. Removing a behind-the-ear hearing aid; removing, cleaning, and reinserting an artificial eye

MODULE 10: Vital Signs (6 Hours Clinical): Measure and Record Vital Signs

1. Temperature
  1. Oral
  2. Axillary
  3. Rectal
  4. Electronic
2. Pulse: radial
  1. Pulse: apical
  2. Respiration
  3. Blood pressure

MODULE 9: Resident Care Procedures (20 Hours Clinical)

1. Collect and identify specimen
  1. Sputum specimen
  2. Urine specimen: clean catch
  3. Stool specimen
2. Occupied bed making
3. Unoccupied bed making
4. Administering the commercially prepared cleansing enema
5. Administering enemas – tap water, soap suds
6. Administering laxative suppository
7. Empty urinary bags
8. Care of resident with tubing
  1. Oxygen
  2. IV
  3. Gastrostomy
  4. Nasogastric
  5. Urinary catheter
9. Anti-embolic hose, elastic stockings (TED Hose)
10. Admitting the resident
11. Transferring the resident
12. Discharging the resident
13. Application of non-sterile dressing
14. Application of non-legend topical ointments

MODULE 7: Weights and Measures (1 Hour Clinical)

1. Measuring oral intake
2. Measuring urinary output
3. Measuring the height of resident in bed
4. Weighing the resident in bed
5. Measuring and weighing the resident using an upright scale
6. Documents in military time

MODULE 11: Nutrition (6 Hours Clinical)

1. Feeding the helpless resident
2. Assisting the resident who can feed self
3. Verifying that resident has been given correct diet tray
4. Use of feeding assistance devices

MODULE 15: Observation and Charting (4 Hours Clinical)

1. Reports appropriate information to change nurse
2. Documents V/S, ADLs timely/correctly
3. Documents changes in resident’s body functions/behavior
4. Participates in resident care planning

Student Tuition, Financial Aid, and Admission Process/Requirements

How much is the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program?

The Southern California Nursing Academy Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP)/ Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program’s cost per cycle of matriculation is $2,350 with a $100 non-refundable application fee.

We are committed in serving our valued students by providing affordable healthcare nursing education and certification at the lowest price within and around the area you live in. We do recognize financial hardships and financial aid that is unique to each student’s circumstance and will be taken into account by a fixed or graduated payment program for the tuition and matriculation of each student.

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) prospective pupil is eligible to received financial aid if the SoCal Nursing student is studying at the post-secondary level and it is specifically stated in the following conditions for qualifications:

Has a high school diploma (this can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma);
Has the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development (GED) certificate or other state sanctioned test or diploma-equivalency certificate;
Has completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law;
Has completed secondary school education in a homeschool setting which qualifies for an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law, if state law does not require a homeschooled student to receive a credential for their education; or
Has completed one of the ability-to-benefit (ATB) alternatives and is either currently enrolled in an eligible career pathway program or first enrolled in an eligible postsecondary program prior to July 1, 2012.

How do I enroll in Southern California Nursing Academy’s Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP)/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program? What are the additional training program requirements for Southern California Nursing Academy’s NATP/CNA Program?

To be enrolled and admitted in our NATP or CNA Program, we ask that our valued prospective students acquire from Southern California Nursing Academy Admission Department and fully complete the following:

The initial application process begins by submitting the non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 (which will be paid on our online registration payment page or either in-person or mailed through a valid check, cash, or credit card payment) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH 283B) Certified Nursing Assistant Initial Application (CAN)/Home Health Aid Initial Application (HHA) Form
- Southern California Nursing Academy will detail the process for completion and submission of CDPH 283B Certified Nursing Assistant Initial Application (CAN)/Home Health Aid Initial Application (HHA) Form
- Students fill out Sections I-III and NATP process to completion of section IV. Indicate details of the submission procedure.
- Passage of SB1384 (Chapter 847, Statutes of 2014), contains important information regarding the criminal background requirements.
- Applicants are encouraged to read this senate bill and incorporate these requirements under this policy topic.
- The “Disqualifying Penal Code Sections” list no longer applies to CNA’s and NATP applicants.
- Upon enrollment in a Southern California Nursing Academy NATP for nurse assistant certification, our valued candidate for training shall submit not only the CDPH 283B certified nurse assistant training program application but the prospective student must also turn in a criminal background clearance via the proof of Live Scan fingerprinting training and physical examination by qualified healthcare professional to the Department.

Criminal background clearance requirement and process.
- Live Scan BCIA 8016 form and CDPH 283I Transmittal for Criminal Background Clearance form to the Department’s Aide & Technician Certification Section Registry upon student enrollment at the NATP/HHA Program of Southern California Nursing Academy.
- All students must complete Live Scan fingerprinting upon enrollment and prior to beginning clinical training or direct contact with patients. It is imperative that the students submit the Live Scan prior to any direct patient contact with residents.

Health Examination – Medical History, Physical Examination, PPD Tuberculosis Testing, and Hepatitis B Vaccination/Immunity
- Each Southern California Nursing Academy NATP student enrolled in the certification program shall have a health examination, which includes a medical history and physical examination as well as a purified protein derivative (PPD) through an intermediate strength intradermal skin test for tuberculosis, unless medically contraindicated. If a positive reaction is obtained, a chest x-ray shall be taken, unless medically contraindicated.
- A report signed by the examiner shall indicate, “The student does not have any health condition that would create a hazard to themselves, fellow employees, or patients.” This examination shall be completed and documented prior to the student having direct patient care contact in the clinical setting. This information shall be provided to the nursing facility prior to patient contact.
- The physical health examination must be done within 90 days prior to clinical training/direct patient contact.
  - Health requirements and processes to include gathering medical history and physical examination within 90 days prior to student participation in segments of the program involving direct contact with patients.
  - Include the details for determination that the individual is free of active tuberculosis disease as per tuberculin infection testing method(s) recommended by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  - Expand upon requirements for when that test is positive; how an x-ray of the lungs must be performed and a certificate from the examining practitioner indicating the individual is free from active tuberculosis must be obtained.
  - The Hepatitis B Vaccine/Immunity student history must also be obtained.
  - Include information regarding the report that must be signed by the physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner and that the report shall be provided to the nursing facility. This report shall also indicate, “the student does not have any health condition that would create a hazard to himself, fellow employees, or patients.”

Are there any admission requirements for SoCal Nursing prospective students wanting to be in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program?

For prospective students wanting to be part of our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program, it is suggested that the prospective students have at least a United States or International High School Diploma or Equivalent (General Education Development Certificate (GED), state sanctioned proficiency or diploma-equivalency certificate, college transcript/diploma, or Ability to Train (ATB) Certificate) with an official transcript, if applicable.

What are the admission requirements for SoCal Nursing prospective students without a High School Diploma or Equivalent wanting to be matriculated in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program?

SoCal Nursing’s Terms and Conditions for Prospective Students in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program Without a High School Diploma or Equivalent:

To be eligible for the CNA Program, the prospective SoCal Nursing applicant requires at least a high school diploma or its equivalent – General Education Development Certificate (GED), state sanctioned proficiency or diploma-equivalency certificate, college transcript/diploma, or Ability to Train (ATB) Certificate.
These respective certificates, transcripts, and diplomas may be from a foreign school but must be equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.
Homeschooling at the secondary level completion is also applicable if the requirements are met consistent with the information stated above.

Attendance and Make-Up Policies

What are the attendance and makeup policies for prospective Southern California Nursing Academy NATP/CNA students?

Attendance and makeup policies for Southern California Nursing Academy are as follows:

Attendance records to document both classroom and clinical training hours must be kept.
Sign in/sign out (Attendance records) shall include the date and time of instruction, the name and signature of the student, and the name and signature of the instructor.
Rule for number of absences per student must be established as only 3 theory or clinical days of course work or clinical skills evaluations that must be made-up “hour for hour” during the makeup days established by Southern California Nursing Academy NATP.
Procedures for makeup must include acceptable makeup, which is to be “hour for hour”, for same Modules, components and content as missed and must follow the approved curriculum and lesson plans.
The Instructor must be present and available for questions during all training, including makeup.

Affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), In-service and Orientation

How many affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) does Southern California Nursing Academy Have?

As far as Southern California Nursing Academy’s Clinical Site Agreements, our Certified Nurse Assistant (CAN) Program has numerous affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that are affiliated for our valued students to do their Clinical Training.

The hours for the Clinical Training in the SNFs are set hours for the 10-week Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum of Southern California Nursing Academy.

Our CNA students are able to park outside of the SNFs or designated parking lots and will be debriefed regarding options to carpool with other students also to aid in their transportation to and from the Classroom Theory and Clinical Training sites.

During the Clinical Training, what In-Service and Orientation are the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students going to need to complete?

CDPH 278A Nurse Assistant Orientation Program Content
- Orientation related to the following facility-specific subjects shall be provided at the facility where the certified or non-certified nurse assistant is employed. These topics must be presented prior to direct patient care.
  - First 8 hours of employment
    - Tour of the nursing facility
    - Description of patient population
    - Description of daily routine of the patients
    - Demonstration of the use of equipment including call-cord and intercommunication system
    - Instruction in the prevention and management of catastrophe and other unusual occurrences, to include emergency procedures related to fire and disaster preparedness and instructions in the relief of choking
    - Introduction to basic patient care which includes supervised clinical training prior to a direct care assignment (3 hours minimum skills), taught by licensed staff, who have no other responsibilities while teaching
  - Next 32 hours of employment
    - Administrative structure
    - Facility’s philosophy of patient care
    - Organization of staff
    - Services offered
    - Personnel policies
    - Job description
    - Patients’ rights
    - Legal and ethical considerations of health
    - Care
    - Role of federal and state regulations in the provisions of care
    - Dementia specific training (minimum 2 hours)
    - Nursing policies and procedures
    - Patient comfort and patient environment

CDPH 283A Certified Nurse Assistant In-Service Training/Continuing Education
- Each nursing facility shall provide 24 hours of in-service training annually which shall be accessible to all certified nurse assistants employed by the facility. The content of the in-service training program shall be an enhancement to the basic training program, consistent with the needs of the facility residents as determined by facility staff and shall also address areas wherein the facility received deficiencies following the last licensing survey. Include 5 hours of dementia specific training per year.
- Programs shall be reviewed for re-approval every two years.

Competency Evaluation Testing and Examination Support

What are the Competency Evaluation Testing prospective Southern California Nursing Academy NATP/CNA students?

Competency Evaluation Testing may only be performed by CDPH approved testing vendors.

Students may only be referred to and test with the American Red Cross or the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program.
The Southern California Nursing Academy NATP policy must include the process for scheduling of testing.
Procedural steps for the content, sources and methods of proving competency evaluation testing information to students must be included.

Will there be resources for students needing aid and help with their CNA course work in theory and clinical topics and discussion to prepared for testing and examinations as well as job placements?

Yes, Southern California Nursing Academy is unique and caters to the students’ needs, especially in regards to preparing and gaining success during and after they graduate from our program. In the hopes of helping and aiding the students, we are committed to having medical professionals who are guest speakers to volunteer one day a week (i.e., on Fridays) to give optional assistance and resources to the students. We will also continually support our alumni with lifetime help to place them in the work settings and environments that fits with their overall career goals.

Will Southern California Nursing Academy have textbooks/notes electronically available for the NATP Curriculum for the CNA students?

Southern California Nursing Academy Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) students are able to have access to a textbook/notes electronically, that is entirely acceptable by the California Department of Health (CDPH).

However, all CNA student training must be provided physically in the classroom and clinically in a skilled nursing facility in order for the required 160 hours to be counted for the Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP), which include the 10 hours of training from the Health and Safety Code 1337.3. Southern California Nursing Academy added the 10 hours specific topics to the CDPH 276A Nurse Assistant Training Program Skills Check List and CDPH 276C Individual Student Record for evaluation since the current DPH forms have not been revised.

What are the SKILL LISTING for the 2018 NNAAP® for Nurse Aide Candidates Studying for the NNAAP® Skills Evaluation?

The NNAAP® Skills List for 2018 is a list of skills that a nurse aide candidate may be asked to demonstrate during the Skills Evaluation. Within each skill is a list of the steps that should be performed in order to demonstrate that skill.

Many skills have steps highlighted in bold type—these are Critical Element Steps. If a nurse aide candidate leaves out a Critical Element Step or does not perform a Critical Element Step properly, the candidate will not pass the skill. Also, a candidate who performs only the Critical Element Step correctly in a skill does not automatically pass that skill. A pre-determined number of steps must be correctly demonstrated to meet the passing standard (or cut score) for each skill.

For instance, Skill 1 – Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing) – dictates the Certified Nursing Assistant candidate to do the following:

SKILL 1 — HAND HYGIENE (HAND WASHING)

1. Address client by name and introduces self to client by name
2. Turns on water at sink
3. Wets hands and wrists thoroughly
4. 4 Applies soap to hands
5. Lathers all surfaces of wrists, hands, and fingers producing friction, for at least 20 (twenty) seconds, keeping hands lower than the elbows and the fingertips down
6. Cleans fingernails by rubbing fingertips against palms of the opposite hand
7. Rinse all surfaces of wrists, hands, and fingers, keeping hands lower than the elbows and the fingertips down
8. Uses clean, dry paper towel/towels to dry all surfaces of fingers, hands, and wrists starting at fingertips then disposes of paper towel/towels into waste container
9. Uses clean, dry paper towel/towels to turn off faucet then disposes of paper towel/towels into waste container or uses knee/foot control to turn off faucet
10. Does not touch inside of sink at any time

Other Skills Listings for the 2018 NNAAP include:

SKILL 2 — APPLIES ONE KNEE-HIGH ELASTIC STOCKING
SKILL 3 — ASSISTS TO AMBULATE USING TRANSFER BELT
SKILL 4 — ASSISTS WITH USE OF BEDPAN
SKILL 5 — CLEANS UPPER OR LOWER DENTURE
SKILL 6 — COUNTS AND RECORDS RADIAL PULSE
SKILL 7 — COUNTS AND RECORDS RESPIRATIONS
SKILL 8 — DONNING AND REMOVING PPE (GOWN AND GLOVES)
SKILL 9 — DRESSES CLIENT WITH AFFECTED (WEAK) RIGHT ARM
SKILL 10 — FEEDS CLIENT WHO CANNOT FEED SELF
SKILL 11 — GIVES MODIFIED BED BATH (FACE AND ONE ARM, HAND AND UNDERARM)
SKILL 12 — MEASURES AND RECORDS ELECTRONIC BLOOD PRESSURE*
- STATE SPECIFIC (EVALUATOR: DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THIS SKILL FOR SKILL 23 ‘MANUAL BLOOD PRESSURE’)
- SKILL NOT TESTED!
SKILL 13 — MEASURES AND RECORDS URINARY OUTPUT
SKILL 14 — MEASURES AND RECORDS WEIGHT OF AMBULATORY CLIENT
SKILL 15 — PERFORMS MODIFIED PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION (PROM) FOR ONE KNEE AND ONE ANKLE
SKILL 16 — PERFORMS MODIFIED PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION (PROM) FOR ONE SHOULDER
SKILL 17 — POSITIONS ON SIDE
SKILL 18 — PROVIDES CATHETER CARE FOR FEMALE
- SKILL NOT TESTED!
SKILL 19 — PROVIDES FOOT CARE ON ONE FOOT
SKILL 20 — PROVIDES MOUTH CARE
SKILL 21 — PROVIDES PERINEAL CARE (PERI-CARE) FOR FEMALE
SKILL 22 — TRANSFERS FROM BED TO WHEELCHAIR USING TRANSFER BELT
SKILL 23* — MEASURES AND RECORDS MANUAL BLOOD PRESSURE
- STATE SPECIFIC (EVALUATOR: DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THIS SKILL FOR SKILL 12 ‘ELECTRONIC BLOOD PRESSURE’)

Where can I find information about Testing for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNS) Nurse Assistant Training and Assessment Program (NATAP)?

Testing Schedule for the Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. Students:
- CNA (NATAP) Testing Schedule, Northern Region of California
Testing Schedule for the Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. Students:
- CNA (NATAP) Testing Schedule, Southern Region of California
CNA Testing Guidebook:
- CNA Certification and Testing Guidelines from Pearson VUE; August 2013

How can I register for the Nurse Assistant Certification Exam after completing my course curriculum and clinical examinations and assessments at Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. (Southern Region of California)?

You can register for the Nurse Assistant Certification Exam by following the steps below provided by your Southern California Nursing Academy, Inc. (SoCal Nursing) Counselor:

Complete the Registration Application Here!

- For all of our valued Southern California Nursing Academy matriculated students – please remember to sign the application with a “wet” signature (handwritten with black ink) and also don’t forget to include either your money order/cashier’s check before you send it to the Regional Testing Center.
- The Regional Testing Center only accepts money order or cashier’s check and not Credit/Debit cards, personal checks, or cash.

List requested examination date and test site on application, which you can choose from 4 different locations based on Southern California Counties: Los Angeles, Riverside/San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties.

- Current Examination Dates and Locatio ns in Los Angeles, Riverside/San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties
- The Nurse Aide Candidates Studying for the NNAAP Skills Evaluation Exam will be updated/changed effective with exams administered on or after July 1, 2018.
- Please view the new skills listing along with the practice exams and study guide available in the Southern California Nursing Academy Student Handbook as well as the Written (Or Oral) Examination and Skills Evaluation Preferred Reference in the Pearson Vue’s Certified Nurse Assistant Candidate Handbook.

The Regional Testing Fee (No Credit/Debit cards, personal checks, or cash will be accepted)

- Both Manual and Written Exam … $100
- Retake Manual Skills Exam Only … $65
- Retake Written Exam Only — $35
- Oral Written Exam (additional fee) — $ 15
- Rescheduling fee — $25 (Flat rate applies for all rescheduled/cancelled/missed manual and/or written exams)
- Note: Again, please send money order or cashier’s check, payable to Regional Testing Center. No personal checks or cash will be accepted.

If the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) approved you, please include the official COPY of the approval letter (932 Form). Do not send your original as the ORIGINAL 932 Form is needed at the test site.

Mail completed registration application and examination fee to:

Regional Testing Center

15744 Golden West Street, Forum I, Room 112A

Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Testing Day Instructions:

Bring your ORIGINAL social security card, photo identification, ORIGINAL CDPH 283B Initial Application Form or ORIGINAL approval notice (932 Form) with you to the examination. (Note: Copies of your social security card, laminated social security cards or receipts from the SSA will not be accepted).
If you fail to bring any of the above listed documents or if you do NOT present them at the day of testing registration, you may not take the examination. You will be required to reschedule and pay the rescheduling fee.
First and last names on 283B/932 Form, photo identification, social security card and all presented documentation must be exactly the same or you will not be permitted to take the examination.

Rescheduling Policy:

If you are unable to attend your scheduled examination or do not bring the required documents for testing you will be charged a $25 rescheduling fee.
Send a new registration application with the rescheduling fee to the Regional Test Coordination Center to reapply for the exam.
A $25 reschedule fee will apply for all cancelled, rescheduled or missed exams
See candidate handbook for details
All registration materials are processed upon receipt; therefore there are no refunds.

Job Placement

What is the Job Placement post graduation for Southern California Nursing Academy Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) students?

We are 100% committed to provide our valued Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) graduating students with Job Placement resources as well as networking opportunities in potentially working in the Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) where the students completed their Clinical Training during the 10-week Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum of Southern California Nursing Academy.

Southern California Nursing Academy’s strong and steady commitment provides you with the comprehensive medical and clinical education, training, certification, and licensure programs to support your pursuit, unwavering dreams and desired nursing and allied health professional careers. SoCal Nursing’s proactive approach means more possibilities for you and can put you on the right path to more career opportunities faster than going at it alone.

Along with the right foundation of medical knowledge, clinical skills and aspiration to succeed, we can offer you plenty of resources and professional networks for employment opportunities with the best and local health care service companies near you and, at the very least, in your desired field of occupation.

Job Placement assistance and support is always available to SoCal Nursing students and includes the following in an as needed basis:

Offering general information on employment prospects with the demands of local businesses in health care services
Catalog of known employment positions and job opportunities
Communication with prospective employers in out-of-hospital and in-hospital to find job opportunities
Supporting with professional development such as completion of employment applications and resume/curriculum vitae preparation
Mock interviews with potential hiring personnel and prospective candidate for employment
Following-up meetings and Job Placement resources with SoCal Nursing Graduates

Continuing Education for CNAs and HHAs

Does Southern California Nursing Academy Offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs)/Credits/Contact Hours for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Home Health Aides (HHAs)?

Our Program Director, DSD, and Instructors will provide the necessary CEUs as well as for physical psychomotor skills evaluations needed every two years to recertify our CNAs and HHAs. Our pricing for these CEUs and skills evaluations may vary but affordable.

We are approved as a Continuing Education Provider by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) through Southern California Nursing Academy’s Application CDPH 192.

Some of the CEU topics we will offer include the following:

Food and Nutrition
Diabetes Mellitus Education
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education
Confidentiality (HIPAA)
Disaster Preparedness
Electronic Medical Record
Special Needs with Developmental Disorders and Elder Abuse
Basic Life Support (BLS) – CPR for Adult, Child, and Infants with Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training
Please ask for more information about many more continuing education opportunities at Southern California Nursing Academy!

More Information and FAQs

Where can you find more information about Southern California Nursing Assistant Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program or Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP)?

If you want more information about specific program requirements please contact us at [email protected] or call us at (760) 332-8083. Southern California Nursing Academy also holds a student handbook pertaining to admission, criminal background clearance, physical exam, attendance and course completion.

Also refer to the following Frequently Asked Questions to download more information about SoCal Nursing’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/Nurse Assistant Training Program (NATP) Curriculum.

If you have any further questions, please contact us.