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Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play an essential role in healthcare services. CNAs work under the direction of a licensed nurse in a team following an established plan of care. These healthcare professionals provide direct patient care, assisting individuals in their everyday activities including personal grooming, nutrition, mobility, taking vital signs, and measuring weight, intake, and output as well as other tasks in their scope of practice.

 

Program Mission: The Nurse Assistant program’s mission is aligned with the mission, vision, and values of Barstow Community College. We believe that learning occurs best in an environment that emphasizes integrity, respect, accountability, and hands-on experience. Our program integrates classroom instruction with clinical practice to develop competent, ethical, caring, and patient-centered nursing assistants prepared to enter the healthcare workforce. 

 

Next Application Period:

We will be accepting applications for the Spring 2027 semester August 31, 2026. The application form link will be available on this page at 9am Monday, August 31st. You will need to be a BCC student with your student ID number.

If you are not a BCC student, please visit CCCApply to create an account and apply to Barstow Community College.

Please apply without delay before application numbers are met and the application is removed.

Next Mandatory Orientation:

For Spring 2027 semester, the CNA Orientation will be held on Wednesday, November 4th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We will be hosting the orientation in classroom S-1 (Science Building).

ONLY INVITED APPLICANTS MAY ATTEND THE ORIENTATION

Important: All applicants must sign in when attending the orientation.

Please submit questions to the Career Technical Education Department (CTE), Nursing Assistant Program.
Email: cte@barstow.edu  |  Phone: 760-252-6799

Program Description & Approvals

The Career Technical Education Department at Barstow Community College offers a Nursing Assistant Training Program which is one of three Allied Health Programs currently offered. This program builds upon a student’s knowledge over the course of one semester, preparing successful graduates to work in a variety of health care environments.

The Nursing Assistant Program is currently being offered as not-for-credit, meaning that students will not receive credit on their transcripts but will be provided the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)-approved requisite training and hours needed to take the CNA state licensure exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

While the courses that make up this program are currently not-for-credit and grant funded, making them free to students, there are other costs associated with the program that vary depending on available grant funding. More information will be provided during the mandatory orientation.

 

Program Approvals

The Nursing Assistant Program at Barstow Community College is approved by the Department of Public Health, State of California (CDPH), following Title 22 regulations.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing and Certification Program (L&C) Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS) Training Program Review Unit (TPRU) P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301 Sacramento, CA 95899-7416
Program Schedule & Locations

    Coming this Fall 2026: Program that meets three days per week.

    Meeting Days & Times

  • Tuesdays & Some Thursdays: 4:00-8:30PM – Theory Class    
  • Saturdays & Some Sundays: 7:00AM-4:30PM – Skills Lab/Clinical with 30-minute lunch    

    Locations

  • Theory Class and Skills Lab: Barstow Community College campus in two adjoining classrooms: S-11 and S11A in the Science Building.    
  • Clinical Hours: Completed at offsite skilled nursing facilities in Barstow.    
Clinical Requirements & Expectations

Program Expectations

  • This is a 100% attendance program. Attend all lectures, all skills labs, and all clinicals (per CDPH requirements and State law).
  • Maintain a course average of 75% or higher.

Clinical Requirements

Participation in Clinicals is required to participate in the Certified Nursing Assistant Program. To participate students will need to meet the following requirements PRIOR to the beginning of class:

Vaccination records must be provided for:

  • Mumps
  • Pertussis
  • Measles
  • Varicella
  • Rubella
  • Influenza
  • Tetanus
  • Hepatitis B
  • Diphtheria
  • COVID

If you do not have immunization records, there are several options to explore:

  • Contact your family doctor or any clinics where you received vaccinations, as they may have records on file.
  • If you recently attended school, contact the school's health office to inquire about immunization records.
  • Access your Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) for a digital copy of your immunization record.
  • California residents can access their digital immunization records through the California Immunization Registry (CAIR2).
  • If you can't find your records, you can get titers (blood tests) to check for immunity to specific diseases. If titers indicate a lack of immunity, you may need to retake the vaccinations.

Additional Requirements:

  • Current 2-step Tuberculosis (TB) test, 2nd Annual or Chest X-ray with symptom review for Tuberculosis, or Quantum Interferon (TB Gold) blood test.
  • Those who enter the program must be able to perform the duties of a CNA. A physical examination (completed within 90 days of admission) must be submitted.
  • Medical Record keeping through Complio to demonstrate medical compliance with Clinical requirements.
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification that does not expire prior to the end of the class.
  • Live Scan background check and Drug screen.

All of these requirements will be covered during the orientation.

Program Process
  1. Access the Online Application Form. The application link will be available on this page starting at 9:00 AM on August 31st. You must have your BCC student ID ready.
  2. Attend Orientation: Attend the MANDATORY orientation. This is by invitation only. During the orientation we will go over all program requirements.
  3. Complete Requirements: Complete the medical requirements, background check, and drug screening requirements as outlined in the orientation.
  4. Purchase Supplies: Purchase your supplies as outlined during the orientation.
  5. Enrollment: You will be enrolled shortly before the course begins. You will only be enrolled if you meet clinical requirements.
  6. Start Class: Attend the class, meet your clinical requirements, and make sure you get a course average of 75% or better.
  7. Exams: Take the State exam.

Questions?

Please submit questions to the Career Technical Education Department (CTE), Nursing Assistant Program.

Email: cte@barstow.edu Phone: 760-252-6799

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