How to become a CNA in CA while in nursing school

[ratherberidin]

This is to help nursing student out who would like to challenge the CNA exam and become CNAs while in nursing school. The CA Dept. of Public Health does not make it very clear how to do this so i though I would make it a little easier on people.

With the job market being so scary for new nurses I have decided to work as a CNA to better my chances of being hired when I get out of school. The only graduates from my ASN nursing program last year who got jobs were those who had worked as CNAs and those who took jobs at prisons. Since the latter does not appeal to me I figured I would give myself a little extra boost with the CNA experience. Here is how you go about it:

1. you have to have finished your first semester of nursing school to be eligible

2. go to the Dept. of Public Health website (publications and forms tab then certified nurse assistant/home health aide/hemodyalisi tech forms)...or just go to the website below

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/Pages/CNA_HHA_HemoTechForms.aspx

3. print/ fill out out application form HS 283 B

4. print BCII 8016 SAMPLE

this will show you have to fill out the Live Scan form so you can get finger printed

5. print out 3 copies of form BCII 8016

fill out the form as it is in the sample form.

this is you request for a Live Scan (finger printing system in CA). It is important you print out 3 copies!!!! and fill them out properly

6. request a copy of official transcripts from your nursing school. Yes they have to be official and sealed.

7. Go get you Live Scan. You can do this at official Live Scan sites such as police office or even some UPS stores. It cost me $44 for my live scan. Make sure you bring your paperwork.

8. Send your completed application, ONE of the completed Live Scan forms, and your official transcripts to the address below (it is also on the application form)

California Department of Public Health

Licensing and Certification Program (L&C)

Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS)1615 Capitol Avenue, MS 3301

P.O. Box 997416

Sacramento, CA 95899-7416

9. The Dept. of Public Health then assesses if you are eligible to challenge the CNA exam (which you should be if you did everything above) and will send you info on taking the test. It costs $90 to take the test I believe.

Hope that helps anyone who is looking for this info!!!!

Just FYI this is the current info for 2009-2010 so dont hold me to this if it gets changed in the future

[jomort08]

Ok, so I just got hired as a CNA at UCLA solely based on the merits of passing my med surge clinical rotations in my nursing program at CSULB. No CNA certification needed. Does that answer questions?

[Themary89]

if i'm already in the system as an EMT, but my certificate is expired, do i need to pay for another LiveScan?

[ytseng4, BSN]

Question! Do we turn in one official school transcript or three?

[cocostar]

Did you ever find out?

[brakeless]

Hi there! Meaning to ask if what to you mean by sealed? It has to come directly from the school and to be sealed on an envelop or it can come directly from me as long it is official with the school's seal on it? Thanks!

[Juliana Birot]

Im currently in LVN school and wanted to get my CNA in California, do I have to perform skills exam too or just the written board exam?