Health Science & Nursing Division
Certified Nursing, Acute Care, Home Health
Certified Nursing Assistants handle day-to-day care of patients. The program is state approved and prepares students to work as an entry-level health care provider to patients in a variety of settings including long-term care facilities. The course includes 72 hours of theory and 135 hours of clinical. This course meets Title 22 regulations in caring for the geriatric population in the long-term care setting, utilizing skills in basic care, emergency care, and communication. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam.
CNA Application Information
March 1, 2024 – March 22, 2024, For Fall 2024 Start
August 16, 2024 – September 9, 2024, For Spring 2025 Start
Applicants can prepare for the filing period by following the steps below.
Get a Rio Hondo ID number (if you don’t already have one)
Apply for a Rio Hondo Student ID, Apply to Rio Hondo College Now! This can take up to two weeks to process. You need a Rio Hondo College ID number in order to apply to the CNA program.
Update contact information through Admission and Records by following this link prior to starting the application.
- All communication with the Nursing Division will be via the email address you list on your application.
- New Students – Rio Hondo College student email accounts will be inactive for any student who has not previously registered for courses at RHC.
CNA Program
Certified Nursing Assistants handle day-to-day care of patients. The program is state approved and prepares students to work as an entry-level health care provider to patients in a variety of settings including long-term care facilities. The course includes 72 hours of theory and 135 hours of clinical. This course meets Title 22 regulations in caring for the geriatric population in the long-term care setting, utilizing skills in basic care, emergency care, and communication. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam. The course is offered multiple times a year. Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation.
The CNA and CHHA programs are both licensed through the State of California, Health & Human Services, Department of Public Health, Licensing & Certification Section. The public, prospective students, and applicants can access information and all requirements and forms at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/Pages/CNA.aspx
The CDPH requires a valid Social Security Number (SSN), or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and California issued photo identification card for certification testing.
The CDPH Licensing and Certification Program, Aide and Technician Certification Section, can be reached at: 916.327.2445, or: P.O. Box 997416, Sacramento, CA 95899-7416.
An applicant for certification as a CNA shall comply with each of the following:
- Be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
- Applicants must provide a valid copy of California Driver’s License or California Identification Card
- Applicants must provide a valid Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification card that is signed and not laminated. The name on all identification MUST read the same or match. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program uses a random selection for all applicants meeting the requirements.
Admission Procedure
Provisionally accepted applicants will complete the following mandatory requirements:
- Attend the Mandatory Advisement/Orientation Meeting
- Health & Physical Examination – form provided by Health Science and Nursing Division
- Health Requirements: COVID Vaccinations, Flu Vaccination, TB Skin tests
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification
- Background check – scheduled by Health Science and Nursing
General Education Requirements:
Completion of the Rio Hondo College Reading Assessment is recommended.
Attending a nursing information session with the Health Science and Nursing department is recommended.
Curriculum Guide for the Nursing Assistant Pre-Certification Program
CNA Course Content | ||
Introduction |
Patient Rights | Interpersonal Skills |
Prevention Management of Catastrophe & Unusual Occurrence |
Body Mechanics | Medical & Surgical Asepsis |
Weights & Measures | Patient Care Skills | Patient Care Procedures |
Vital Signs | Nutrition | Emergency Procedures |
Long Term Care Patients | Rehabilitative Nursing | Observation & Documentation |
Death & Dying | Health & Safety Code Abuse |
CNA Course |
72 Hours Theory |
135 Hours/Clinical |
Total Units 6.5 |
Get a Rio Hondo ID number (if you don’t already have one)
Apply for a Rio Hondo Student ID, Apply to Rio Hondo College Now! This can take up to two weeks to process. You need a Rio Hondo College ID number in order to apply to the VN program
Update contact information through Admission and Records by following this link prior to starting the application.
- All communication with the Nursing Division will be via the email address you list on your application.
- New Students – Rio Hondo College student email accounts will be inactive for any student who has not previously registered for courses at RHC.
The Acute Care Nursing Assistant is a CNA who works in various departments of acute care hospitals. The class is an additional 96 hours including 27 hours of theory and 81 hours of clinical. Students who take the CNA program and pass the State Exam are eligible for the Acute Care Program.
An applicant for certification as an Acute Care Nursing Assistant shall comply with each of the following:
- Be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
- Proof of current CNA certification (copy of certification required)
- Applicants must provide a valid copy of California Driver’s License or California Identification card
- Applicants must provide a valid Social Security card that is signed and not laminated. The name on all identification MUST read the same or match. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program uses a random selection for all applicants meeting the requirements.
Admission Procedure
Provisionally accepted applicants will meet the following mandatory requirements
- Attend the Mandatory Advisement/Orientation Meeting
- Health & Physical Examination – provide by Health Science and Nursing Division
- Health Requirements: COVID Vaccinations, Flu Vaccination, TB Skin tests
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR card
- Background check – scheduled by Health Science and Nursing
- Complete a Drug Test – scheduled by Health Science and Nursing
General Education Requirement:
Completion of the Rio Hondo College Reading Assessment is recommended.
Attending a nursing information session with the nursing counselor is recommended.
Acute Care Content |
27 Hours Theory |
81 Hours Clinical |
Total Units 3.0 |
A student who is already a CNA is eligible to take the Home Health Aide course. The course is state approved which includes 27 hours of theory and 54 hours of clinical. Once certified, a home health aide can be employed to care for people who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, cognitive impairments, or age-related problems in the setting of the client’s home.
Get a Rio Hondo ID number (if you don’t already have one)
Apply for a Rio Hondo Student ID, Apply to Rio Hondo College Now! This can take up to two weeks to process. You need a Rio Hondo College ID number in order to apply to the Home Health Aide program.
Update contact information through Admission and Records by following this link prior to starting the application.
- All communication with the Nursing Division will be via the email address you list on your application.
- New Students – Rio Hondo College student email accounts will be inactive for any student who has not previously registered for courses at RHC.
An applicant for certification as a Home Health Aide shall comply with each of the following:
- Be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
- Proof of current CNA certification (copy of certification required)
- Applicants must provide a valid copy of California Driver’s License or California Identification card
- Applicants must provide a valid Social Security card that is signed and not laminated. The name on all identification MUST read the same or match. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
The Home Health Aide Program uses a random selection for all applicants meeting the requirements.
Admission Procedure
Provisionally accepted applicants will meet the following mandatory requirements
- Attend the Mandatory Advisement/Orientation Meeting
- Health & Physical Examination – provide by Health Science and Nursing Division
- Health Requirements: COVID Vaccinations, Flu Vaccination, TB Skin tests
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR card
- Background check – scheduled by Health Science and Nursing
- Complete a Drug Test – scheduled by Health Science and Nursing
General Education Requirement:
Completion of the Rio Hondo College Reading Assessment is recommended.
Attending a nursing information session with the nursing counselor is recommended.
Course Content: |
27 Hours Theory |
54 Hours Clinical |
Total Units: 2.5 |