Nursing Assistant

The Nurse Assistant course (Health Sciences 064) is offered every semester including summer. This is a 6-unit course and costs the same per unit as any other COD course. It is a 12-week course.

The course will include both classroom and clinical settings. Multiple program requirements are due before the first day of class. If requirements are not complete and submitted, students will be dropped. Students are responsible for all associated fees for requirements.

No students will be enrolled to the course after the first class meeting.

Beginning Fall 2023, registration for the Nurse Assistant Program will be through an application process.

MANDATORY Boot camp on Tuesday June 18th from 9am-1pm in N8. Any students not present at the boot camp will be removed from the application pool and will not be eligible for registration.

Date	Time	Location	Mandatory Item
June 18th, 2024	9:00A-1:00P	Palm Desert Campus Room N8	Orientation Uniform fitting
July 1st, 2024	4:30PM	Submitted to Nursing Office	American Heart Association CPR Card Receipt for CNA uniform Patch (available in COD bookstore) COVID Vaccination series COVID Vaccination Booster
July 8th- 22nd, 2024	4:30PM	Submitted to Nursing Office	Background Check Drug Screen Receipt for CNA Nursing Badge (Paid at Bursar's office) and copy of badge Receipt for CNA Malpractice Insurance (Paid at Bursar's office)
August 5th, 2024	4:30PM	Submitted to Nursing Office	Meet with Physician/Nurse for: Physical Exam Tuberculosis Screening
September 17th, 2024	8:00A-1:15P	Palm Desert Campus Room N9	Flu Vaccination First Day of Class  Livescan (must bring valid State issued DL/ID, Military ID, or Passport)

 

Fall 2024 term application closed June 16th, 2024.

Application for Spring 2025 term will open October 1-31, 2024.

• Are 16 or older and can benefit from instruction.

All requirements must be completed before the first class meeting. 

Valid Social security card or ITIN	Physical Exam
Valid Government issued ID	Malpractice Insurance (automatically added to your student account when registered for the course)
Clear drug screen	Meet Core Performance Standards
Clear background check & DOJ Livescan	Communicable disease clearance (Vaccinations)
Current American Heart Association CPR card

A LiveScan will be done during the first class meeting for registered students. 

Background check and drug screening must be completed within 30 days before the first class meeting. Students who do not clear the screenings will be unable to complete the course.

DO NOT SUBMIT FOR SCREENING EARLY. INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE GIVEN DURING BOOTCAMP.

Background Check and Drug Screen Instructions

A basic physical exam with proof of COVID-19 vaccination series, recent 2-step TB test, and flu shot must be done within 90 days prior to the first class meeting. 

Medical Clearance form for Nursing Assistant Students

Uniform is white scrub top worn over basic white scrub pants. See course syllabus/handbook for further details. Please wait for instruction from your instructor before purchase.​ 

College of the Desert Kinesiology offers American Heart Association (AHA) CPR courses for both the first time certification and for recertification. 

For first time certification, students can register for KINE-001

For recertification, students can register for KINE-302

KINE-001 and KINE-302 will be offered during Summer and Winter sessions based on enrollment numbers. 

CPR cards are required prior to the start of the semester, please plan accordingly. 

Please note the costs are estimated. Depending on insurance coverage and financial assistance, costs may vary. Total cost of program is estimated at $702.00 Click here for a detailed list of associated costs.

California Nurse Assistant Candidate Handbook and Testing Information

This program is approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Mailing Address:

CA Dept. of Public Health
P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377​