Nurse Assistant
160-hour Nurse Assistant program preparing students for the California CNA state exam; a no-cost grant-funded option is available.
5959 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite #110, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Open/rolling enrollment; new classes form every month; students may start at any time
No experience required
Program Philosophy
NIU College was founded to make quality career training accessible to working adults priced out of traditional private career colleges. Its mission is to help students achieve occupational and financial stability through reasonably priced, hands-on education. Programs emphasize small classes (fewer than 20), flexible morning/evening/weekend schedules, real-world externships, certification prep, and free career-placement support so graduates enter the workforce quickly without heavy student debt.
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Fast entry to healthcare as a California CNA; no-cost option available
Monday - Friday, 160 clock hours of theory and supervised clinical skills, delivered as a short intensive course; daily attendance required (students withdrawn after 10 consecutive absent days). Prepares for the California CNA state exam.
State-exam-ready Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training with a no-cost grant-funded pathway for those who qualify
Cost & Outcomes
The program costs $2,600 total for self-pay students (tuition, registration, books, supplies, CPR, a TB test, a Live Scan, and the first state exam), but a no-cost, grant-funded pathway — for example WIOA funding or the Wildfire Recovery Training Grant — is available to those who qualify. Qualifying students can offset part or all of the cost through outside funding by visiting their local American Job Center to check their eligiblity for a federal WIOA grant for the unemployed, the California Department of Rehabilitation for people with disabilities, and Workers' Compensation retraining vouchers for injured workers. Otherwise, students can pay in full, use an in-house monthly installment plan, or take a third-party private loan. NIU College is not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
Who This Program is Built For
This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.
What Sets This Program Apart
Prepares students for the California Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) state exam (included for the first attempt)
No-Cost Nurse Assistant Training option funded through grants/WIOA and the Wildfire Recovery Training Grant
Taught by registered nurses with DSD (Director of Staff Development) credentials
Hands-on skills practice with hospital beds, manikins, and care equipment
Fast, affordable entry point into healthcare
Day in the Life
- Classroom instruction on patient care, safety, and signs/symptoms to report
- Hands-on skills: ADLs, vital signs, transfers, and positioning
- Infection control and long-term-care practice with manikins and hospital beds
- CNA state-exam skills preparation
Betsaida Esqueda, RN (telemetry, SNF supervisor, home health) holds a DSD certificate for CNA instruction; program is supported by Sherri Parker, LVN, DSD, with 25+ years of long-term-care experience.
Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.
California Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) state certification exam (written and skills components)
92% pass rate
Highs & Lows
Keeping up with the intensive daily schedule and mastering hands-on care skills for the state exam.
Becoming state-exam-ready for a healthcare career in weeks, often at no cost through grant funding.
Employment Support
Career development course covering resume writing, job search, and interview skills
Mock interviews and coaching on professional presentation
Placement coordinator assists graduates with job referrals and resume exposure
Free job placement services available for up to 5 years after graduation
Externship placement with local employers built into most programs
How It Works
Submit the inquiry form at https://www.niucollege.edu/nurse-assistant or call 818-347-9400
Meet with an admissions advisor for a consultation and campus tour
Provide proof of high school completion (diploma/GED/transcript), a government photo ID, and Social Security card; take the CELSA English assessment if needed
Review the School Performance Fact Sheet and sign the enrollment agreement
Arrange tuition payment or financing (cash, in-house installment plan, WIOA/workforce funding, or third-party loan)
Begin classes on the next available monthly start date
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us.People without a high school diploma, 'Ability-to-benefit applicants,' may qualify by passing an approved exam. A CELSA English assessment score of 37 out of 75 is required to demonstrate English proficiency.
Foreign diplomas must be translated and evaluated by NACES or AICE.
Depending on the program, training takes anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 months, including an externship.
Yes. Classes are offered mornings, afternoons, evenings, and some weekends to fit working schedules.
NIU College does not participate in federal or state financial aid, but offers low tuition, payment plans, WIOA/workforce funding, and grants for those who qualify.
Yes. The placement coordinator helps graduates with resume writing, interview prep, and job referrals for up to 5 years after graduation.