CNA Classes & Programs in National City, California
3 state-approved CNA programs in National City, including free, online, 4-week, evening and weekend options.
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CNA training in National City
- Programs
- 3
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $44,250
- $21.28 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 9,820
- in the San Diego-Carlsbad region
- Healthcare facilities
- 8
- 5 nursing homes, 1 hospital and 2 home health agencies
- Population
- 56,345
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Aspiring CNAs in National City can choose from 3 approved programs tailored to meet California’s certification requirements. Situated just south of downtown San Diego within a diverse urban environment, National City offers accessible pathways into healthcare careers through high-quality classroom-based training options.
The city’s three CNA programs provide hands-on preparation for certification exams along with opportunities to participate in online classes and free CNA classes—features that support greater accessibility and flexibility for prospective students. Graduates can pursue employment at various facility types including Friendship Manor Nursing & Rehab Center or Paradise Valley Hospital; several local home health agencies also offer career paths beyond traditional facility-based roles. Accelerated training is also available locally for those seeking a faster route to certification.
In the San Diego-Carlsbad region, CNAs earn around $44,250 per year according to BLS OEWS (May 2023), slightly below California’s statewide median salary of $45,170.
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Browse CNA Classes in National City
National City provides 3 CNA training programs that qualify students for state registry placement, offering both online class options, free CNA classes, and accelerated training opportunities. These CNA classes enable participants to build essential patient-care skills that support California CNA certification goals, with career opportunities in healthcare throughout National City where demand remains steady.
Program Types in National City
| Type | In National City | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 1 program | San Diego College of Continuing Education ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| Online or hybrid | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | 2 programs | See them ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 3 CNA programs in National City
Lowest published cost first.
San Diego College of Continuing Education
CostFreeHours250Weeks8
- Address
- National City, CA
- Phone
- (619) 388-1927
Tuition-free Nursing Assistant training combining classroom, skills lab, and clinical rotations at partner facilities in San Diego County. Students should budget about 400 for required items and can access career transition/job search support.
Visit websiteSouth Bay CNA School
Cost$1,150Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 537 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (619) 832-4404
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
CDPH‑approved CNA training with an advertised bundled price that includes CPR, uniform, fingerprints, TB test, and textbook. Evening and weekend options are available through a partner, with scholarships to match the daytime tuition.
Visit websiteSan Diego Medical College
Cost–Hours–Weeks5
- Address
- 2575 East 8Th Street, National City, CA 91950
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (619) 271-0700
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
San Diego Medical College offers a 23-day CNA program with day, evening, and weekend options; the day cohort runs 8am–4pm for 22 days and evenings run 4pm–8pm for 42 days. Tuition packages include free RNA training, on-site state testing, and job placement assistance upon request.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major California cities
- Los Angeles41 programs
- San Jose12 programs
- San Francisco6 programs
- Fresno14 programs
- Sacramento18 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in National City
| Median annual pay | $44,250 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $21.28 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 9,820 |
| Salary region | San Diego-Carlsbad |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
In the San Diego-Carlsbad region, approximately 9,820 certified nursing assistants work across hospitals, long-term care centers, and home health agencies according to BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. The metro area features continued demand fueled by its sizable population base and diverse range of medical employers seeking qualified CNAs year-round.
The CNA salary in National City follows regional trends: in this area, CNAs earn around $44,250 annually—or about $21.28 per hour—based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) statistics. This wage level sits just below California’s statewide median salary of $45,170 and reflects local market conditions and job availability within multiple sectors including hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
CNA job seekers will find a variety of CMS-certified employers locally: notable examples include Friendship Manor Nursing & Rehab Center (104 beds), Paradise Valley Health Care (86 beds), Castle Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (99 beds), Windsor Gardens Conv Center of San Diego (98 beds), Hillcrest Manor Sanitarium (98 beds), Paradise Valley Hospital—a major acute-care provider—and reputable home health agencies such as Healthwise Home Health Care Inc and Good Samaritan Home Health Inc serving patients across southern San Diego County communities including National City itself.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in National City (5 facilities)
5 nursing homes in National City providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Friendship Manor Nursing & Rehab Center902 South Euclid Avenue(619) 791-7700Map | 104 | 2.8 |
| Paradise Valley Health Care2575 E. Eighth St.(619) 470-6700Map | 86 | 2.7 |
| Castle Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center541 V Avenue(619) 791-7900Map | 99 | 2.6 |
| Windsor Gardens Conv Center Of San Diego220 East 24Th Street(619) 474-6741Map | 98 | 2.5 |
| Hillcrest Manor Sanitarium1889 National City Blvd.(619) 477-1176Map | 98 | – |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in National City (1 facility)
1 hospital in National City offering CNA employment opportunities. Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Paradise Valley HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 2400 East 4Th St(619) 470-4321Map | 3/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in National City (2 facilities)
2 home health agencies in National City providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Healthwise Home Health Care Inc1615 Sweetwater Road, Suite 1(619) 474-4699Map | 3.0/5 |
| Good Samaritan Home Health Inc3403 E. Plaza Blvd. Unit K(619) 773-6357Map | 1.5/5 |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond National City? Explore CNA programs and jobs in San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Oceanside, and Escondido, or browse the California CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in National City, CA
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in National City, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by California. These include completing a California Department of Public Health (CDPH)–approved Nurse Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), passing the state-approved competency examination administered by Credentia or D&SDT-Headmaster, and being listed on the California Nurse Aide Registry.
- At least 160 total hours of training (60 classroom hours and 100 supervised clinical hours in a licensed skilled nursing facility) — the highest requirement in the nation
- Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident contact
- Criminal background check through California DOJ and FBI Live Scan
- Passing both the knowledge test (70 questions: 60 multiple-choice + 10 reading comprehension, 120 minutes) and the skills evaluation (five randomly selected skills within 25 minutes)
- Up to three attempts per component within two years of completing training before retraining is required
- Placement on the California Nurse Aide Registry maintained by CDPH
Once certified, you can work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout National City and across California. CNAs must complete 48 hours of approved continuing education every 24 months to maintain active certification.
Already certified in another state? California offers certification by equivalency for out-of-state CNAs who hold active certification in good standing and meet federal OBRA training standards. Additional documentation, background checks, or testing may be required. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in California guide.
For complete details on training programs, testing procedures, renewal requirements, and maintaining active registry status, see our comprehensive CNA License & Registration in California guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in National City.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in National City
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in National City?
Most CNA programs in National City can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule. The shortest published length here is 5 weeks, at San Diego Medical College.
How much does CNA training cost in National City?
South Bay CNA School lists a price of $1,150. Ask the other programs in National City for theirs. One program is free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in National City?
Yes. San Diego College of Continuing Education offers free or employer-paid CNA training. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in National City?
Yes. 2 programs in National City offer hybrid options, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in National City?
Yes. 2 programs in National City are accelerated. Accelerated programs usually take 3 to 5 weeks, depending on class schedules and clinical requirements.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near National City there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Oceanside and Escondido. You can also look at the California state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the California CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in California, you must be added to the official state registry. See our California CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in National City?
CNAs in National City are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 5 nursing homes, 1 hospital and 2 home health agencies in National City. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.