Acute Care CNA
This course is approved by California Department of Public Health for CNA continuing education units.
Are you a CNA interested in working in a hospital?
Nursing assistant training focuses on the role of the CNA in a skilled nursing facility. Didactic and clinical components focus primarily on skilled nursing care. The Acute Care CNA course focuses on broadening the CNA’s scope of knowledge and clinical experience to include skills required to work in an acute care setting (hospital). This course covers the pathophysiology, treatment, and nursing care of various disorders/diseases. It is helpful if you have already taken classes on these topics: biology, microbiology, medical terminology, and anatomy.
An active CNA certification from California is required before applying for this program.
Acute Care CNA is an 8-week class offered each Spring and Fall semester.
For the dates to apply, scroll down the page to the Application Periods section.
*Class Schedule
• Wednesday: 9am - 3:30pm (CNA-21: 3 UNITS)
• Saturday: 7am - 3:30pm (CNA-21L: 1 UNIT)
*Schedule may slightly adjust due to COVID and holidays.
*Location
• SWC – HEC at Otay Mesa: 8100 Gigantic Street, San Diego, CA 92154
*Clinical sites vary and are subject to change.
Students attend classes at HECOM campus and complete clinical work at
hospital facilities.
Cost
Starting Fall 2024, Acute Care CNA will be offered for credit and as a non-credit course. Students can choose the option that best fits their needs. For instance, students who are required to be enrolled in credit courses for financial aid or other program purposes may benefit/prefer to take the class for credit. Others who do not have to meet similar requirements may benefit/prefer to take the class as a non-credit course (and save money on enrollment fees).
If the class is taken for credit, the estimated total cost will be $500 (subject to change). If taken for non-credit, the total estimated cost will be $200 (subject to change). If course is taken for credit, eligibility for financial aid can help offset the cost.
Application
Enrollment is restricted to students who have applied during the application period and have been accepted into the program by the Nursing Office. Submit a complete application packet based on the checklist provided. The application packet must include the physical exam and immunization forms filled out by your healthcare provider. Forms and copies of immunization records and/or titer (blood test) results are required for clinical placement in the program.
Acute Care CNA (ACNA) applications packets can be submitted in person or by U.S.
Mail.
If submitting by mail, Acute Care CNA application packet must be postmarked by the
deadline to be considered.
- Download and review the Acute Care CNA Checklist & Application (PDF) and Physical Exam/Immunization forms (PDF) for details on all that is needed to apply.
- Letters of acceptance will be emailed to SWC email accounts after the application deadline and after all applications have been reviewed. Notifications will not be sent to personal email accounts.
The Acute Care CNA Program accepts 20 students for each class and up to five (5) additional students as alternates (in case potential students from the accepted group are unable to participate). Applications will be reviewed in the order received. The first 20 applicants with a complete application packet will be accepted. All applicants will be notified of their status (i.e., accepted; alternate; not accepted).
Application Periods
Submit your Acute Care CNA Program application packet during the dates listed:
| Application Period | Program Start |
| August 4, 2025 – September 12, 2025 | Fall 2025 (This class is October – November) |
| December 1, 2025 - February 6, 2026 | Spring 2026 (This class is March – May) |
Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee entry into the program.
Application Documents & Instructions
Before filling out the application, review the Acute Care CNA Application Checklist (PDF) to gather all required documents and forms. Click the link below for a copy of the checklist (PDF).
Download, print and fill out the physical exam and immunization forms (pages 1-7). Pages 1-2 are filled out by you. Your healthcare provider/doctor will fill out pages 3-4 (physical exam) and pages 5-7 (immunizations, TB test results, and flu shot form).
Submit the physical exam and immunization forms (pages 1-7) filled out; and a copy of your immunization records and/or titers (lab work) for MMR, Hep B, Varicella, TDAP, COVID-19, flu shot, and TB test results with your Acute Care CNA application packet.
Important note: Give yourself and your doctor/healthcare provider ample time to complete the physical exam/immunization forms. Most of the work in applying for the program involves getting these forms filled out and providing copies of your immunization records and/or titers.
Update related to CoVid-19 vaccine: Major Healthcare Systems in San Diego County require students and faculty to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Students and faculty must have the most recent Covid-19 booster recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Applicants to any Nursing and Health Occupations Program (ADN, VN-Step-up, VN, CNA, Acute Care CNA, Surgical Technology, Central Service Technician, and Operating Room Nurse) will be required to submit proof of vaccine status and most recent booster at time of application (Rev. 10-10-24).
- Acute Care CNA Checklist & Application (PDF) (Rev. 11/2024)
- Physical Exam and Immunization Forms (PDF)
- Acute Care CNA Program Information flyer (PDF) (Rev. 4/2025)
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