CNA Classes and CNA Training Programs in San Diego, California (CA)

A visit to the website for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pages about Nursing Aide, Orderly, or Attendant jobs shows that their numbers are growing substantially. Over the course of the next ten years, the BLS anticipates that the job market will add around 20% to 34% more positions. This means that you can easily establish a strong career once you complete your CNA classes in San Diego.

Information about CNA Jobs in San Diego

Naturally, you will want to determine for yourself if this is the case, and we suggest that you start by visiting the top “CNA specific” job sites and portals on the Internet. One of the major players is CNA.Jobs-to-Careers.com.

Any of these kinds of job websites give you an accurate perspective of the current employment situation for CNAs in San Diego, and the surrounding region. However, should you feel it more beneficial to do a broader search you should rely on the most popular employment sites like Indeed.com, Monster.com, and SimplyHired.com.

Many certified nursing assistants also turn to staffing agencies. This gives them immediate employment at recognized facilities. The San Diego area has the following services supplying staff to hospitals, nursing facilities, and more:

• UNIHCR.com
• EZStaffing.com
• MaximStaffing.com

Whether you find a spot on your own or use a staffing service, remember that you will always be required to demonstrate training and licensing if you are to work as a CNA in San Diego.

Details about CNA Classes and Licensing Requirements  in San Diego

The work that the CNA in San Diego does is not at all different the work of a certified nursing assistant in any other city or state, it is simply that the California CNA training and licensing requirements are a bit different.

For example, you will still provide basic patient care under the direction of a nursing staff. Each day finds you feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, and moving patients while also changing linens and more. Any of these duties demand that you are formally recognized by the Department of Health Services or the DHS.

To obtain licensing you have to:

1. Pass one of the DHS approved CNA programs (of which there are hundreds) from an accredited institution;
2. You must have a criminal background check and a series of health screenings;
3. You must take at least 150 hours of CNA classes and clinical training; and
4. You must pass the Competency Exam to become certified.

When you accomplish all four steps, you are then put on the DHS Nurse Aide Registry.

This approach is different from the one used in other states, but it doesn’t give any special benefits outside of California. You can apply for reciprocity of your CNA credentials from other states, but will still have to provide a lot of documentation and pass the criminal and health screenings too.   If you wish to take the California certification outside of the state, you are still required to pass the appropriate exams for that city or locale, etc.

Key CNA Training Programs in San Diego

California has hundreds of locations to get CNA training. San Diego is no exception, and you will find career institutions, colleges, and professional schools, adult training schools, community centers, and even some health care facilities giving classes. Certification can be part of these CNA programs, and the Red Cross also administers testing too.

The following programs are among the most frequently chosen for CNA classes and training in San Diego:

• Southwestern College – minutes from the city it is a popular choice for those earning first degrees or seeking professional training.
• Mira Costa College – a community college with a top CNA program.

You can also visit the California Department of Education website to find out about all of the approved California Nursing Programs for CNAs.

Information about Key CNA Employers in San Diego

With roughly 28 hospitals in the San Diego and the surrounding area, plus a few dozen skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes in the county, it is a simple issue to find work as a CNA. Below are the largest and best hospitals in San Diego and the area:

• UC San Diego Medical Center – currently ranked as the top hospital in the city it is also the largest healthcare employer.
• Scripps La Jolla Hospital – with many locations that include clinics and medical facilities, this highly rated group is a good place to work.

Average CNA salaries for job postings in San Diego, CA are 1% higher than average CNA salaries for job postings nationwide. (Indeed.com, 2016) That means that you will find many different kinds of job opportunities in this field.

Salary Information

Pay within the CNA field varies quite widely. The median annual Certified Nursing Assistant salary in San Diego, CA is $34,700, as of August 17, 2020, with a range usually between $28,835-$41,616 (Salary.com).

Key Skills Learned In CNA Training Programs

Studying to be a CNA means that you learn a bit about the following subjects in your CNA classes:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Basic Nursing Skills
• Basic Restorative Services
• Care of Cognitively Impaired Residents
• Mental health and Social Service Needs
• Personal Care Skills
• Resident’s Rights
• Supervised Clinical Training with Nursing Home Residents

In addition to completing your CNA classes in San Diego, it is also good to be a patient, compassionate, and well spoken person if you are to become a certified nursing assistant in San Diego!