City College of San Francisco

The CNA program at CCSF is organized into three separate courses that span a single semester:

• VOCN 23 – Nurse Assistant/Convalescent: 82 classroom hours and 128 clinical hours (7 units)
• VOCN 24 – Home Health Aide: 44 classroom hours and 20 clinical hours (2.5 units)
• VOCN 25 – Nurse Assistant/Acute Care: 35 classroom hours and 91 clinical hours (3.5 units)

Each course provides hands-on training in different healthcare environments, ensuring graduates can work confidently in convalescent facilities, acute hospitals, or patients’ homes. The total time commitment is approximately 13 weeks, with students attending roughly 21 to 32 hours per week, depending on the course segment.

---

To be eligible for this program, students must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Have readiness for college-level English or ESL 188
• Hold a current CPR certification (AHA or Red Cross BLS for Providers)
• Submit a Live Scan fingerprint background check
• Complete a physical exam and show proof of immunizations
• Pass a drug screening and background check

Admission to the CNA program is conducted through a lottery selection process, and attendance at a mandatory orientation is required to apply. Orientation sessions are offered virtually via Zoom throughout the semester.

---

Unlike many CNA programs, CCSF’s training is fully embedded within its credit-bearing course structure. Students earn a total of 13 college units, which can be applied toward further nursing education such as LVN or RN programs. This makes the CCSF CNA program not only job-preparatory but also academically progressive.

---

At just $598 for in-state residents, the program is among the most affordable CNA training options in the Bay Area. Students also pay small additional fees for student health and course materials. Eligible San Francisco residents can attend tuition-free through the Free City program. CCSF also offers financial aid services for qualifying students, including Pell Grants and California College Promise Grants.

---

Training is conducted at CCSF’s John Adams Center, located at 1860 Hayes Street in San Francisco. Clinical hours are held at partnering healthcare facilities in the city, offering students first-hand experience caring for patients in real medical environments. These hands-on clinicals are paired with classroom learning that emphasizes patient safety, legal responsibilities, infection control, and vital sign monitoring.

---

While CCSF does not promote formal job placement services, its CNA program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in skilled nursing facilities, home care agencies, and hospitals. The college’s strong reputation and partnerships with local healthcare facilities often benefit graduates in securing employment after passing their certification exam.

---

The CNA/Home Health Aide program is taught by licensed healthcare professionals with years of experience in clinical practice and nursing education. Students benefit from CCSF’s academic counseling and support services, including assessment for English proficiency, college success workshops, and tutoring for healthcare students.

---

The CCSF CNA program is approved by the California Department of Public Health, ensuring its curriculum meets state standards. In addition, the inclusion of a Home Health Aide certification module (VOCN 24) gives students expanded job eligibility beyond the traditional CNA role.

---