Announcements

The New Program Will Begin in Spring 2021 Semester

Alameda, CA – December 9, 2020—Responding to a statewide shortage of certified nursing assistants, College of Alameda will offer a new no-cost, noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program starting in the Spring 2021 Semester.

Demand is growing for certified nursing assistants. According to labor market information in California, the number of nursing assistants is expected to grow at a faster than the average rate, compared to all occupations.

“This is an important no-cost training program for our community, at a time when job loss has been significant due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there is an increased need for qualified nursing assistants in our area,” said College of Alameda President Dr. Nathaniel Jones III. “This program will provide local employers with much-needed, skilled workers.”

Nursing assistant jobs in California are expected to increase by about 15 percent, or 15,800 jobs by 2026. Starting salaries for CNAs are above average. In San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CNAs can expect to earn on average over $41,000 annually.

College of Alameda’s  new program has been spearheaded by Dean of Career and Workforce Education Eva Jennings. According to Dean Jennings, successful CNA program graduates will have the skills needed for employment in inpatient hospital settings, long-term residential facilities, rehabilitation centers, and adult day care centers.

“The program is specifically designed to prepare students for successful completion of the  CNA certification examination,” said Jennings.

Funding for the start-up of the CNA program has been provided by the Strong Workforce Program and a grant from the Health Workforce Initiative.

CoA’s no-cost, noncredit CNA program requires student participation in a mandatory orientation. As a condition of program acceptance, CNA candidates also will participate in mandatory drug testing, take a Tuberculosis (TB) test, and pass a criminal background check by the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

Instruction will take place in-person on the College of Alameda campus. Students also must complete clinical rotations at the following sites: Telecare, Piedmont, Elders Inn, and The Point Rockridge. In-person instruction will adhere to CDC, state and county safety requirements.

Genevieve Dace, MSN, is the director and instructor of the new CNA Program. After graduating from Holy Names University in 2008 with an MSN in Nursing, and a Family Nurse Practitioner Certification, Professor Dace officially launched her nursing career in Walnut Creek, CA. Her nursing specialty is Emergency Room and Urgent Care.

California is among 25 states that use the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) for certification purposes. (Candidates must pass knowledge and skills tests. The knowledge test is available in written and oral formats.) Students who successfully pass the CNA examination will be well-positioned for future advancement in healthcare careers, by continuing their education to become Licensed Professional Nurses (LPN) or Registered Nurses (RN).

Spring semester starts January 25, 2021. For more information on how to enroll in the CNA program, contact Kawanna S. Rollins, coordinator of career education programs, 510-748-5256, krollins@peralta.edu or go to https://private.alameda.edu/academic-program/certified-nursing-assistant-program-cna/

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About College of Alameda

College of Alameda (CoA) is a two-year community college located at 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy, Alameda, California. The college has been inspiring students to achieve academic success since 1970. Situated on a beautiful park-like campus on the island city of Alameda, CoA offers academic programs that transfer to four-year universities and workforce training programs in a variety of career areas. Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to enroll. CoA is fully accredited by ACCJC/WASC, and is one of four colleges in the Peralta Community College District (PCCD).