The Acute Care Nursing Assistant Program at Saddleback College was established to empower students to gain the skills and knowledge of nursing assistant care necessary to meet the hygiene, comfort, and safety needs of patients in an acute care environment.

Students must attend an information session, mandatory orientation, complete a physical examination, and background/drug test in order to participate in this program. This program offers training through two multi-week courses consisting of in person didactic instruction and clinical rotations. Successful completion of both the didactic course and the clinical rotation course is required to finish this program.

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule

Admission Requirements and Application Information

Prerequisites to the program:

  • Must be a certified nursing assistant (CA certification)
  • Must review an "ACNA Info Session Content"
  • Must attend a mandatory information session
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Apply to Saddleback College to become a student (must have a student ID number to submit a ACNA application)
  • Complete health requirements - More information find in "ACNA Info Session Content"
  • Complete/Clear Drug screen - "ACNA Info Session Content"
  • Complete/Clear Background check - "ACNA Info Session Content"

View the ACNA Information Session Content

NOTE: Information Sessions will be conducted on the premise that prospective applicants or applicants have reviewed the Information Session information linked above. You must review the information session information and participate after understanding them.

Fall 24 ACNA Program Information Session Dates

Fall 2024 8 weeks ACNA Program

  • Application period: 7/1/24 - 8/1/24 
  • Class : 10/9/24 - 12/14/24
  • Subject to change

Due to limited staffing, we will be unable to provide status inquiries during the application period. Applicants will be notified of their application status via Submittable after August 2, 2024.

Clinical Compliance Deadlines

  • Fall 2024 8 weeks CNA Program: 9/6/24

NOTE: These dates are subject to change.

Those invited into the program must be able to perform the duties of a ACNA in acute care setting. The following health requirement will be required:

  • Physical Examination
  • TDAP Vaccine
  • COVID vaccine
  • Seasonal Flu Shot
  • MMR/ Varicella/ Hepatitis BP titer
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening. This screen is either 2 negative skin test, QuantiFERON gold blood draw or an x-ray.


Download the Mandatory Health Assessments and Immunity Status Requirements

Students will also be required to complete a background check, drug screening, obtain Professional Liability insurance, and possess a valid BLS/CPR card through the American Heart Association (no other providers) prior to registering for classes. These courses are reserved only for students accepted into the ACNA Program and students will not be cleared to register until all of the requirements have been completed. Failure to complete any of the programs requirements/deadlines (which are provided to students upon acceptance), will result in students signing a Non-Compliance Form. Depending on the situation, students may or may not be eligible to continue in the program after signing a Non-Compliance Form.

Fall 2024 8 weeks ACNA Program: 10/14/24

Items to bring to orientation day:

  • Students will need to bring a non-expired state ID, DL or passport and original.


No late entry will be permitted for anyone who arrives 10 minutes after the start of the mandatory orientation session.

Contact the Certified Nursing Assistant Program

Please use this contact information to email our department to avoid duplicate emails being sent to individuals.