Complete CNA Program at LGL College with State Exam On Campus: Your Path from Training to Certification

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant requires completing an approved training program and passing a state certification exam. Many aspiring CNAs face the challenge of coordinating separate locations for their coursework, clinical training, and testing.

LGL College offers a complete CNA program where you can finish your online coursework, complete hands-on clinical training in La Habra, and take your state certification exam directly on campus. This streamlined approach eliminates the need to travel to multiple locations or navigate complicated scheduling for your certification test. The program combines flexible online theory classes with required in-person clinical practice to prepare you for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce.

You'll find everything you need to launch your nursing assistant career in one place. From admission through certification, LGL College provides state-approved training, exam preparation support, and access to career placement assistance after you complete the program.

Overview of CNA Program at LGL College

LGL College offers a state-approved CNA training program with flexible scheduling options and the convenience of taking your state certification exam directly on campus. The program combines online theory instruction with hands-on clinical practice to prepare you for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce.

Program Structure and Duration

The CNA program at LGL College runs for 4 to 12 weeks depending on your chosen schedule. You can select from day, evening, or weekend classes to accommodate your existing commitments.

The program follows a hybrid format that divides your training into two main components. You complete theoretical coursework online at your own pace, then attend mandatory in-person clinical sessions where you practice essential nursing assistant skills. This structure allows you to balance learning with work or family responsibilities.

Schedule Options:

• Day classes
• Evening classes
• Weekend classes
• CNA summer programs

You don't need a GED to enroll. Upon completing the program requirements, you take your state certification exam on campus at LGL College, which serves as an approved testing site in Southern California.

Learning Objectives

The program prepares you to provide direct patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. You learn to assist patients with daily living activities while maintaining their safety, dignity, and comfort.

Your training focuses on developing both technical skills and professional competencies required for state certification. You gain practical experience through supervised clinical hours that simulate real healthcare environments. The curriculum ensures you meet all state board requirements to sit for the certification exam and work legally as a CNA.

Key Curriculum Components

Your coursework covers fundamental nursing assistant skills through online theory modules and hands-on clinical practice. The clinical component gives you direct experience with patient care under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.

Core Training Areas:

• Basic patient care procedures
• Vital signs measurement and monitoring
• Infection control and safety protocols
• Patient mobility and transfers
• Documentation and communication skills
• Emergency response procedures

The program includes additional certifications such as BLS (Basic Life Support) to enhance your qualifications. You receive job placement assistance after certification to help you transition into your first CNA position in healthcare settings throughout Orange County and Southern California.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

LGL College maintains specific admission standards and documentation requirements to ensure students can successfully complete the CNA program and pass the state exam administered on campus.

Eligibility Criteria

You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in the CNA program at LGL College. Some states allow candidates as young as 16 with parental consent, but LGL College follows the standard adult admission age.

You need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. This educational requirement ensures you have the foundational skills necessary for healthcare training.

A clean criminal background check is required before acceptance. Healthcare facilities require CNAs to work directly with vulnerable populations, so any disqualifying offenses on your record may prevent certification even after completing training.

You must provide proof of immunizations, including MMR, Hepatitis B, and Tdap vaccines. A tuberculosis test or chest x-ray within the past year is also mandatory. These health requirements protect both you and the patients you'll work with during clinical training.

Basic English proficiency is necessary to understand medical terminology and communicate effectively with patients and healthcare team members.

Application Steps

Submit your completed application form directly to LGL College's admissions office. You can obtain the form online or in person at the campus.

Schedule and complete your health screening and immunization records before your program start date. Many students begin this process immediately after submitting their application to avoid delays.

Pay the application fee and any required deposits. Contact the admissions office for current fee schedules and payment plan options.

Attend a mandatory orientation session where you'll receive your program schedule, clinical placement information, and state exam details.

Required Documentation

Essential Documents:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
• Official high school transcript or GED certificate
• Current immunization records signed by a healthcare provider
• TB test results dated within the last 12 months
• Criminal background check clearance
• Completed application form with all sections filled out
• Application fee payment confirmation

You should gather these documents early in the application process. Missing documentation is the most common reason for enrollment delays. LGL College's admissions team reviews applications within 5-7 business days of receiving complete documentation packages.

Comprehensive Training: Classroom and Clinical Experience

The CNA program at LGL College combines theoretical knowledge with practical application through structured classroom sessions and supervised clinical practice. You'll gain foundational healthcare concepts before applying them in real-world settings.

Classroom Instruction Overview

Your classroom training covers essential healthcare fundamentals that form the basis of nursing assistant work. You'll study human anatomy and physiology to understand body systems and how they function. The curriculum includes infection control protocols, vital signs measurement, and medical terminology that you'll use daily in healthcare environments.

Communication skills training teaches you how to interact professionally with patients, families, and healthcare teams. You'll learn patient rights, ethical considerations, and legal responsibilities specific to nursing assistants. The classroom portion also addresses nutrition, basic nursing skills, and recognizing emergency situations.

Instructors use lectures, demonstrations, and group discussions to reinforce core concepts. You'll complete assessments throughout the classroom phase to ensure comprehension before advancing to hands-on training.

Clinical Lab Skills

The clinical lab provides a controlled environment where you can practice essential CNA skills before working with actual patients. You'll use medical equipment including blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, and patient transfer devices on mannequins and classmates.

Skills practiced in the lab include:

• Patient positioning and transfers - proper body mechanics and safety techniques
• Personal care procedures - bathing, grooming, and toileting assistance
• Vital signs documentation - accurate measurement and recording
• Range of motion exercises - maintaining patient mobility

Your instructors observe and correct your technique during lab sessions. You'll repeat each skill until you demonstrate competency according to state requirements. This repetition builds muscle memory and confidence before entering clinical settings.

Hands-On Training in Healthcare Settings

Clinical training at LGL College places you in actual healthcare facilities where you'll work with real patients under direct supervision. You'll apply classroom knowledge and lab skills in nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted living facilities.

During clinical rotations, you'll perform duties that CNAs handle daily. This includes assisting patients with activities of daily living, monitoring and reporting changes in patient condition, and maintaining patient safety. You'll work with diverse patient populations experiencing various health conditions.

Your clinical instructor evaluates your performance and provides feedback on areas needing improvement. These supervised hours fulfill state requirements for CNA certification eligibility and prepare you for the state exam administered on LGL College's campus.

Certification Preparation and Support

LGL College equips students with comprehensive study materials and practice resources designed to ensure success on the California CNA state examination. The program provides structured preparation tools that address both the written and skills components of the certification exam.

Preparation Resources

Your preparation at LGL College includes access to curriculum-aligned study guides that cover the core competencies tested on the state exam. The program provides instructional materials focusing on nursing assistant fundamentals, patient care procedures, and safety protocols required by California certification standards.

You receive guidance from experienced nursing instructors who understand the exam format and requirements. These instructors offer review sessions that reinforce key concepts from your training. The on-campus testing arrangement means you can take your state exam in a familiar environment after completing your coursework.

The college structures its curriculum to match state examination objectives, ensuring you study relevant material throughout your training. You'll work with clinical skills checklists that mirror the evaluation criteria used during the practical portion of the exam.

Practice Exams and Study Materials

Your program includes practice tests that simulate the actual written examination format and content areas. These practice assessments help you identify knowledge gaps and build confidence before taking the official state exam.

Study materials cover essential topics including:

• Infection control and safety procedures
• Basic nursing skills and patient care techniques
• Communication and interpersonal relations
• Patient rights and independence
• Emergency procedures and vital signs monitoring

You'll have access to skills demonstration videos and step-by-step procedure guides that prepare you for the hands-on skills evaluation. The program provides opportunities to practice clinical skills in supervised settings before your examination date. This repetition helps you develop the competency and precision required to pass the skills portion of the state test.

On-Campus State Exam at LGL College

LGL College serves as an approved CNA test site in Southern California, allowing students to complete their state certification exam directly on campus after finishing their training program. This arrangement eliminates the need to travel to unfamiliar testing locations and provides a comfortable environment where students already feel at ease.

Exam Scheduling Process

Once you complete your CNA training at LGL College, the school coordinates your state exam scheduling as part of their comprehensive program. You work with the administration to select an available testing date that aligns with your preparation timeline.

The college handles the logistical coordination with state testing authorities, reducing administrative burden on your end. You receive clear communication about your scheduled exam date, required documentation, and any fees associated with the certification test.

Since the exam takes place on the same campus where you trained, you can focus on preparation rather than worrying about navigating to an unknown location. The familiar setting often helps reduce test anxiety and allows you to perform at your best during the evaluation.

Exam-Day Procedures

You arrive at LGL College on your scheduled exam date with required identification and any documentation specified by the state. The testing environment follows standardized protocols established by California's certification board to ensure fairness and consistency.

The state exam consists of two components: a written or oral knowledge test and a skills demonstration. During the skills portion, you perform specific nursing assistant tasks while evaluators assess your technique and competency.

Testing staff guide you through each phase of the examination process. You complete the knowledge assessment first, typically followed by the practical skills evaluation in designated clinical areas on campus.

Support Services for Test-Akers

LGL College provides exam preparation resources leading up to your test date. Instructors offer review sessions covering the content areas and skills most commonly tested on the state certification exam.

You have access to practice materials and can schedule additional skill practice time in the college's clinical lab before your exam. Faculty members remain available to answer questions and address any concerns about the testing process.

The supportive environment extends to exam day itself, where familiar staff members help ensure you understand procedures and feel prepared. This built-in support system distinguishes testing at your training location from taking the exam at an unfamiliar third-party site.

Career Opportunities After CNA Certification

CNA certification opens doors to various healthcare settings and creates pathways for professional growth in nursing and related fields. Your credentials qualify you for immediate employment while positioning you for future advancement.

Potential Employment Settings

You can work in multiple healthcare environments once certified. Hospitals employ CNAs in medical-surgical units, emergency departments, and intensive care areas where you assist nurses with patient care and vital sign monitoring.

Long-term care facilities and nursing homes represent the largest employment sector for CNAs. You provide daily living assistance, help with mobility, and offer companionship to residents requiring extended care support.

Common CNA Work Environments:

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Home healthcare agencies
• Rehabilitation centers
• Hospice care organizations
• Outpatient clinics

Home health agencies hire CNAs to provide one-on-one care in patients' residences. This setting offers more independence and the chance to build strong relationships with clients and their families.

Career Advancement Paths

Your CNA certification serves as a foundation for higher nursing credentials. Many CNAs pursue Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs, which typically require 12-18 months of additional training.

Bridge programs allow you to apply your CNA experience toward registered nursing degrees. You can enroll in Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at community colleges and universities.

Specialized certifications expand your expertise without requiring a nursing degree. You can train in areas like geriatric care, acute care, or restorative nursing to increase your responsibilities and earning potential.

Non-clinical healthcare roles also become accessible with CNA experience. Medical administrative positions, healthcare education, and patient advocacy careers value your direct care background and clinical knowledge.

Student Success Stories and Alumni Perspectives

LGL College graduates consistently demonstrate strong performance in their CNA certification exams and subsequent healthcare careers. You'll find that many alumni credit their success to the comprehensive training and on-campus state exam convenience offered through the program.

Former students report feeling well-prepared for both the written and practical components of the certification exam. The hands-on clinical training you receive translates directly to workplace confidence and competence.

Common themes from graduate feedback include:

• Smooth transition from classroom learning to real-world patient care
• Strong foundation in essential nursing assistant skills
• Confidence when entering first CNA positions
• Appreciation for the convenience of taking the state exam on campus

Many alumni have advanced their careers beyond entry-level CNA positions. You'll discover that the solid training foundation enables graduates to pursue specialized roles in various healthcare settings, from hospitals to long-term care facilities.

Recent graduates frequently mention the practical skills training as the most valuable aspect of their education. The supervised clinical hours prepare you for the realities of patient care, including vital signs monitoring, patient transfers, and daily living assistance.

Your instructors at LGL College bring real-world experience to the classroom, which alumni consistently cite as beneficial. The program's structure ensures you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical application before sitting for your certification exam.

Alumni working in California healthcare facilities report that employers recognize the quality of LGL College training. Your certification through this state-approved program positions you competitively in the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students considering CNA training at LGL College often have questions about program logistics, exam procedures, scheduling flexibility, and career support services. The following addresses common concerns about enrollment requirements, costs, and the pathway from training through certification.

What is the duration of the CNA program at LGL College?

CNA programs typically range from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the schedule format you choose. LGL College offers day, evening, and weekend class options to accommodate different availability needs.

The program combines online theory instruction with mandatory in-person clinical practice hours. You complete both components before becoming eligible to take the state certification exam on campus.

Does the on-campus state exam include a practical skills assessment?

Yes, the CNA state exam includes both written and clinical skills components. The written portion tests your knowledge of nursing assistant principles, while the clinical assessment evaluates your ability to perform hands-on patient care tasks.

At LGL College, you take both exam components on campus after completing your approved training program. This eliminates the need to travel to separate testing locations.

Can I enroll in a CNA program at LGL College if I have evening availability?

LGL College provides evening class schedules specifically designed for students who work during traditional daytime hours. You can also choose from day or weekend options based on your personal schedule.

The flexible scheduling allows you to complete the required coursework and clinical hours without conflicting with other commitments. You select the format that best fits your availability during enrollment.

Are job placement services provided following the completion of the CNA program at LGL College?

LGL College offers job placement assistance to help you transition into healthcare employment after certification. This support connects you with potential employers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.

The placement services complement your certification preparation by helping you identify entry-level CNA positions in Southern California. You receive guidance on applying for roles that match your qualifications and career goals.

What are the eligibility requirements for free CNA training programs in California?

Free CNA training programs in California typically require you to meet specific income guidelines or employment conditions. Some healthcare facilities offer free training in exchange for a work commitment after you complete the program and pass your certification exam.

You do not need a GED or high school diploma to enroll in California CNA programs, including those at LGL College. Age requirements and background check standards vary by program and clinical site partnerships.

How does the cost of the CNA exam at LGL College compare to other states like Iowa?

State exam fees and program costs differ significantly across states based on regulatory requirements and testing vendor contracts. California administers its own competency exam rather than using the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) used in many other states.

LGL College includes the state exam as part of your program, with testing conducted directly on campus. This bundled approach differs from programs where you pay separate fees to third-party testing vendors after completing your coursework.