Nursing Assistant

Students may receive the following:

• Preparation to pass the CNA exam and CNA curriculum in settings such as Skilled Nursing and other CNA programs.
• Career planning for next steps beyond becoming a Nursing Assistant because wages for this entry level position are relatively low. We prepare students so that they have a plan to advance to higher paid positions in Healthcare.
• Career guidance to make sure Nursing Assistant is the best fit for them. 
• Placement in other certification programs.
• Enrollment support at a Community College for a Career Technician Pathway in Medical or another field of interest to the student.
• Job search support, resume and interview assistance, etc.

Lompoc Adult School provides free career guidance/planning and online prerequisite training for candidates interested in a career as a Nursing Assistant.

• The program consists of personal interview and online course work that prepares candidates to pass the required certification exam to be a CNA.
• Candidates who successfully pass our program (minimum 80%) score required) receive a certificate and a recommendation to local Skilled Nursing and other Healthcare Agencies for admission into their CNA programs.
• Candidates who do not appear to be aligned to a career as a Nursing Assistant work will not receive a recommendation.
• We accept enrollments from August through March, during which time students may register online.

New students must register for an orientation. Click here to register.

Please do not call the school office for program information. 

What do Nursing Assistants get paid in Lompoc? For 2023, pay starts at $15.43/hour. Average pay is about $19.00/hour.

A career as a CNA should provide an enriching experience for those who want to help people, make a difference in patients' daily lives, and enter a profession without committing to earning a degree. It is also ideal for those seeking variety in the workday, job stability, and opportunities for advancement.

Being a CNA is hard because they have lots of responsibilities. They are expected to keep tight schedules while working on their feet all day. This, coupled with low pay and not wide-enough recognition, are just some of the things that make working as a nursing assistant difficult.

What is a typical work schedule like for a full-time CNA? You can expect to work five 8 hour shifts in a row with two days off every week. These shifts can be during the daytime, afternoon, or nighttime hours. CNAs are also commonly offered 12-hour shifts, three days per week.

Nursing Assistants work with patients, care teams and facility staff to assist nurses and provide basic care to their patients. Their primary duties include checking their patients' vital signs, bathing and grooming them, serving them meals and assisting senior nurses and physicians during medical procedures. Their full responsibility may include: 

• Helping patients perform basic hygiene functions, like bathing, cleaning, washing and brushing teeth

• Assisting patients with daily tasks like dressing, grooming and eating

• Moving and repositioning patients with limited mobility

• Monitoring patient vitals, including their heart rate and blood pressure, and recording those observations

• Assisting nurses with their clinical and administrative duties

• Administering medications and minor treatments to patients

• Maintaining hygienic conditions by cleaning and disinfecting rooms and wards

• Monitoring and stocking clinical supplies

• Cleaning and dressing wounds and changing bandages

• Documenting patient information and progress for physicians, nurses and other health care staff

Do you want more information on how to perform Nursing Assistant duties?  Watch this video collection for examples of how to perform basic CNA duties.

Is CNA right for me? Take this online quiz to see if being a CNA is the right choice for you.

What are some positives of being a CNA? Watch this video for information.

What's the downside about being a CNA? Watch this video for some honest information about CNA.

What are Your Long-Term Goals?

A good placed to start your planning is to compare CNA pay to other nursing careers. Take a look at this Annual Salary below.

Average Nursing Salary by Job

Before you start training for a career as a CNA, ask yourself what you want your career to look like in five years, 10 years and beyond.

• Do you want to work with the elderly in a care facility?
• Do you want to work with other types of patients or in other hospital settings?
• Do you want to remain a CNA for your entire career? 
• Do you want to attend school to advance in a nursing career to LVN or RN?
• Do you want to add other certifications such as Phlebotomy to your CNA License?