ACNA Information Session Content

ACNA Training Programs

• Saddleback College ACNA Program began in Fall of 2024
• Master acute care skills

Acute Care Nurse Assistant Training

• Gain hands-on experience in acute care setting and expertise in providing essential care to patients.
• Acute Hospital Interview Opportunities

• Direct care members of the healthcare team that report to a licensed nurse (LVN or RN)
• Scope of practice in California - may perform duties within that scope of practice only (Title 22, Section 5, Chapter 2.5)
• Working in an acute care hospital requires ACNA experience in a variety of units, not limited to subacute, skilled nursing, or long-term care facility

• ACNA Info Session Content (Mandatory review)
• Application Period
  • Randomized Selection process
  • Provisional and Alternate Acceptance letter
  • Information Packet
• Complete Clinical Compliance Requirement (Mandatory)
  • Clinical Compliance Day (Optional)
• Orientation Day (Mandatory)
• ACNA Class begins
• Graduate

• Current nursing assistant certification (CA certification)
• Saddleback College / Irvine Valley College
  • Student ID  required to apply
• Government Issued ID Card
  • Valid/current, non-expired state Driver’s License, State Identification card, or Passport.
• US Social Security Number or Tax ID number
  • ITIN number or valid SSN (original/non-laminated) with the same name as DL/ID card.
• Proof of personal health insurance Mandatory Program Health Clearance
• Clear criminal background and drug screening
  • Completed after provisional acceptance to the program via CastleBranch
• Basic Live Support (CPR) card by American Heart Association
  • Valid/current card (not to expire throughout the program)
• NA Student professional liability insurance
  • Obtain this through Nurses Service Organization (www.NSO.com)

The Acute Care Nursing Assistant Program Application link can be found on the Acute Care Nursing Assistant page (under "Application Date and Information").

• “Submittable” is the site you will be directed to.
  • Create an account to submit your application.
  • Know your username and password! Communication is done there.
  • Acceptance letters and more are sent to you through Submittable.
• Application must be filled out completely to be considered for admission.
• Applicants are randomly selected from the application pool for provisional acceptance once the application period ends.

Criteria for random application selection/ranking process:

• Must attend as ACNA information session
• Must be a licensed nursing assistant (current CA certification)
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Must be a Saddleback or IVC College student (Student ID number required to apply)

Once provisionally accepted, the following must be met:

• Complete Health Requirements/Program Clearance
• Clear drug screen
• Clear background check
• Obtain professional liability insurance (NSO), AHA BLS card, and proof of health 

• No high school diploma or GED required.
• Must have transportation to and from class/clinical sites (In-Person).
• No make-up time will be allowed. Students cannot miss any class/clinical time.
• Must pass all program courses:
  • CNA425NC, CNA426NC, and CNA427NC
  • Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC. Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC.
• If you are a current high school student, other requirements are needed so reach out after the presentation.

• "Mandatory Health Assessment and Immunity Status Requirements" form completed and signed by your Health Care Provider or Student Health and Wellness Center.
  • Health and Wellness Center
    Phone: (949) 582-4606
    Fax: (949) 582-4227
    Address: SSC 117 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
    
    NOTE: Student Health Center is closed when school is closed (check academic calendar)
• Required Laboratory Tests:
  
  You MUST provide documentation of immunity to the following diseases by blood testing (positive titer) results
  • Titer results do not have an expiration date:
    • Measles (Rubeola)
    • Mumps
    • Rubella
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis B
• Required Tuberculosis (TB) Screening– (Either TST, IGRA or Chest X-ray)
  
  Health Science Programs are required to provide current Annual Negative TB Proof.
  • Two-step TST(tuberculin skin test) = (2 TST’s minimum of 1 week apart, which is 4 visits): is required if you have not had a TST skin test within the past year.
    OR
  • One-Step: Proof of two negative TST’s in the past 2 consecutive years
    OR
  • Proof of a current negative QuantiFERON Gold or T-Spot blood test
    OR
  • Proof of a current negative TB chest X-Ray
• Immunization with the following vaccines are required.
  • TDAP
  • COVID
  • Seasonal Flu Vaccines 
• Physical examination completed within 6 months prior to program begins
  • Complete within that time.

See Health Assessment Requirement Link on the ACNA Page for More Details

Theory (CNA425NC) 50 hours / In-Person

• 1 class / week
• Must successfully complete this course with a "C" or better to continue in the clinical course.

Skills (CNA426NC) 25 hours / In-Person

• Total 4 skills days
• On-campus skills lab

Clinical (CNA427NC): 67 hours / In-Person

• 9 weeks Program - 2 clinical /week (8-hour shift)
• Must successfully complete this course with a "Pass" or "P"” to complete the program.

NOTE: Clinical hours are subject to change per facility availability. No online options are available. Students are randomly placed in clinical groups on Orientation Day. Allocated clinical facilities cannot be replaced.

NOTE: Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC. Students cannot register on their own. Only students who have completed all required items on the orientation day can register for classes by receiving an APC.

Requirements before applying to the Acute Care Nursing Assistant program:

• Apply to Saddleback to become a student (must have a student ID number to submit a CNA application).
• Please visit Saddleback’s ACNA page for additional information.
• For any questions or assistance, reach out!
• Stay Updated - Check the Saddleback College Acute Care Nursing Assistant Program page for course updates and important information.
• Apply with Confidence - Submit your application and secure your spot in the Nursing Assistant Program to start your journey towards becoming a certified nursing assistant.

• Solid wine-colored scrub top.
• Solid wine-colored scrub pants.
• Solid white socks that cover the ankles.
• Any solid white, skid-free, waterproof shoes. No open toes or backs, no straps, no heels, no openings. (See example image below.)
• Uniform-approved long-sleeved plain white tee shirts are permitted under uniforms for warmth or needed if you have arm tattoos.
• Wristwatch with a sweeping second hand (no smart watches).
• Fingernails are to be clean, trimmed, and of reasonable length. Light color polish only and in good repair. No artificial nails.
• Hair must be neat, worn off the face, and off the collar. Neatly braided hair is acceptable.
• Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and close to the face. Beards must be trimmed to jaw line.
• Students must meet the professional dress code required for each clinical facility. Dress code requirements are subject to change.

Wine-Colored Scrubs

• Wine Color Top (Cherokee): Style #WW620 / Style #WW690
• Wine Color Pant (Cherokee): Style #WW120 / Style #WW140

White Shoes

White Long-sleeves

Optional: for warmth or if you have arm tattoos.

• White Color Long Sleeve Silky Tee by WonderWink: Item #2009
• White Color Long Sleeve Men’s crew neck tee: Item #2909
• White color by Prestige - MS Med Sleeves 17”: Item #PRE-MS

How much does the Acute Care Nursing Assistant Program Cost?

NOTE: ACNA courses are tuition free.

NOTE: This is just an estimate. Costs may vary for each student and are subject to change.

If you have any questions, you can ask them in the Q&A session.

Check the Main ACNA Page for the Q&A Session Schedule

Saddleback College Nursing Assistant Program 
Email: sccna@saddleback.edu
(949) 582-4701

The School of Health and Wellness at Saddleback College values their students' feedback. The CNA Program would like to know about yourself and your preferences regarding the schedules the program offered.

Take Our Anonymous Survey