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WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
The HCA to CNA Bridge Program is designed for individuals who have already completed their HCA training and hold an active Washington State Home Care Aide credential.
The program may be a good fit for:
Current Washington State HCAs ready to advance their healthcare careers
Home Care Aides who want to expand their clinical knowledge and hands-on skills
HCAs interested in working toward Washington State CNA certification
Caregivers interested in expanding their employment opportunities and care settings
Students who want an accelerated pathway that builds on their existing HCA education and experience
An active Washington State HCA credential is required for admission to the Bridge Program.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ADVANCE YOUR TRAINING. EXPAND YOUR SKILLS.
The HCA to CNA Bridge Program builds on the foundational caregiving knowledge students have already developed as Washington State Home Care Aides.
Rather than repeating your previous HCA education, the program focuses on additional theory, nursing assistant competencies, hands-on skills, and supervised clinical experience needed to make the transition toward CNA practice.
Throughout the program, students strengthen their understanding of the nursing process, delegation, infection control, documentation, restorative care, long-term care regulations, dementia and mental health, end-of-life care, professional communication, and other competencies relevant to CNA practice.
Students also apply their knowledge through hands-on Skills Lab training and supervised clinical experience in a real-world care environment.
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Our Bridge Program consists of three required training components:
Theory — 43 Hours
Build on your existing HCA knowledge with advanced concepts and competencies relevant to nursing assistant practice.
Hands-On Skills Lab — 13 Hours
Practice and demonstrate required CNA skills under instructor guidance and evaluation.
Supervised Clinical Experience — 6 Hours
Apply your knowledge and skills in a supervised, real-world care environment while completing required clinical competencies.
Total Program Hours: 62
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Designed to Bridge Your HCA Experience to CNA Practice
The 62-Hour HCA to CNA Bridge Program combines online theory, in-person Skills Lab training, and supervised clinical experience.
Weeks 1–2: Online Theory + Skills Lab
Students begin their advanced theory coursework while participating in required hands-on Skills Lab training.
Week 1 - 2 Skills Lab: 7 hours total
Week 2: Theory + Skills Lab + Clinical Experience
Students continue their online theory coursework, complete the remaining required Skills Lab hours (6 hours), and participate in a 6-hour supervised clinical rotation.
Students will receive their specific Skills Lab and clinical schedule as part of the course scheduling process.
The Skills Lab component is divided between scheduled sessions for a total of 13 required hours.
Attendance at all required Skills Lab and clinical hours is mandatory.
YOUR PATH FROM HCA TO CNA
Our next 62-Hour HCA to CNA Bridge Program cohort begins October 2026.
Take the first step by registering for our Enrollment Information Session. During the session, you'll learn about Bridge Program prerequisites, clinical requirements, training schedules, tuition, policies, and complete the enrollment process. Because the Bridge Program includes supervised clinical training, students must meet all program and clinical eligibility requirements before beginning the applicable portion of training.
Enrollment Information Session Dates:
Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Next HCA to CNA Bridge Cohort: October 2026
BEFORE YOU ENROLL
Before registering for an upcoming Enrollment Information Session, please download and carefully review the Sarr Care Academy Student Handbook.
The Student Handbook contains important information about program requirements, enrollment, tuition and fees, attendance, academic expectations, clinical requirements, student policies, and your responsibilities as a student.
Bridge Program applicants should pay particular attention to the admission prerequisites and clinical requirements, as all applicable requirements must be satisfied before participating in clinical training.
Download and review the Student Handbook before registering for the Enrollment Information Session.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Build on Your HCA Foundation With CNA-Level Training
The Bridge Program expands on your existing caregiving education with theory and practical training designed to prepare you for the responsibilities and competencies of nursing assistant practice.
Curriculum includes:
Nursing process
Delegation
Long-term care regulations
HIPAA and patient privacy
End-of-life care
Restorative care
Expanded infection control
Documentation and reporting
Dementia and mental health
Professional communication
Students learn to apply these concepts through advanced theory, hands-on skills practice, and supervised clinical experience.
HANDS-ON SKILLS LAB
Strengthen Your Skills. Prepare for CNA Practice.
Your previous HCA experience provides an important foundation. The Bridge Program builds on that foundation with 13 hours of required hands-on Skills Lab training focused on CNA competencies.
To successfully complete the Skills Lab, students must:
Attend all 13 required Skills Lab hours
Demonstrate safe and competent performance
Complete the full CNA Skills Checklist
Successfully pass all required skills
Meet the standards of safety, accuracy, and professionalism required for entry-level practice
Student-to-Instructor Ratio: 10:1
Students receive instructor-guided practice and evaluation while developing the safety, accuracy, professionalism, and clinical judgment expected of an entry-level nursing assistant.
Attendance is required for all scheduled theory, skills lab, and clinical sessions.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
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Take Your Training Into a Real Care Environment
The HCA to CNA Bridge Program includes 6 hours of required supervised clinical experience, giving students an opportunity to apply their training while providing care in a real-world setting.
During clinical training, students work under instructor supervision and practice CNA-level skills with residents who have a variety of care needs.
Clinical experiences may include exposure to:
Medically complex residents
Activities of daily living (ADL) support needs
Mobility and transfer assistance
Dementia care
Real-world CNA-level skills practice
An instructor is on-site throughout the clinical experience, with a maximum 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Students must successfully complete and pass the required Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) Clinical Checklist.
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Small Groups for Meaningful Clinical Experience
To maintain appropriate supervision and provide students with meaningful opportunities to participate in resident care, clinical students are divided into smaller groups.
Clinical rotations may be scheduled across:
Saturdays, Sundays, or Mondays
Day or evening shifts
Multiple clinical groups based on site availability and resident care needs
Scheduled break periods are incorporated into each clinical rotation.
Your specific clinical date, shift, location, and reporting instructions will be provided as part of your program schedule.
Clinical assignments are determined based on program scheduling and clinical-site availability.
TUITION & PROGRAM COST
INVEST IN THE NEXT STEP OF YOUR HEALTH CARE CAREER
All costs required to complete the HCA to CNA Bridge Program are listed below:
Program Tuition: $950 - includes $100 registration fee (refundable per WAC 490-105-130 and in accordance with the Sarr Care Academy published Refund Policy)
Sales Tax: Calculated at checkout
Total Tuition: $950 + applicable sales tax
HCA to CNA Bridge Program - Total Student Cost: Your final tuition, sales tax, and total contract price will be clearly displayed on your Enrollment Agreement before you sign.
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Your HCA to CNA Bridge Program tuition includes:
✓ $100 registration fee (refundable)
✓ Online CNA theory modules
✓ Digital textbook (embedded in the online curriculum)
✓ Skills Lab - 13 hours
✓ Clinical Rotation - 6 hours
✓ One set of school-issued scrubs
✓ State CNA Skills Exam - first two attempts
✓ Transportation to and from the clinical site from the Skills Lab locationTransportation is optional
Provided in a personal vehicle, not a commercial vehicle
Students may choose to drive themselves
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A digital textbook is already included in program tuition. Students who prefer a printed textbook may purchase an optional hard copy for $40.
The hard copy textbook:
Must be purchased and paid for online before Skills Lab
Cannot be purchased during Skills Lab
May be mailed to the student or picked up at the Skills Lab location at a scheduled time
Purchasing a printed textbook is optional and is not required to complete the program.
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The following items are not included in tuition:
Background check fee (required for CNA certification)
State CNA Knowledge Exam fee - students schedule and pay directly through a WABON-approved testing vendor
Non-skid footwear (required for Skills Lab and clinical training)
Transportation to the Skills Lab location (students must arrange their own travel)
Replacement scrubs or ID badges, if needed
Optional hard copy textbook - $40
If additional State CNA Skills Exam attempts are required after the first two attempts included in tuition:
CNA Skills Exam retest: $100 per additional attempt
Retesting fees apply only when additional attempts are necessary.
ADMISSION & PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS
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Before Enrolling in the Bridge Program
Because this is an advanced training pathway for existing Home Care Aides and includes supervised clinical experience, students must meet both general admission and Bridge Program prerequisites.
Students must have:
✓ An active Washington State Home Care Aide credential
✓ A negative TB test
✓ Current CPR/First Aid
✓ A cleared Washington State background check
Students must provide required documentation before participating in applicable program and clinical activities.
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Students must:
Be at least 18 years old, or have parent permission
Demonstrate sufficient English reading and comprehension skills
Have access to a reliable device and internet connection for online coursework
Be able to meet the program's learning objectives and training requirements
Meet all applicable clinical site requirements
Disclose any criminal history that may affect certification or clinical eligibility
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In accordance with WAC 490-105-140, all students must meet the Ability to Benefit requirement before enrolling.
Students must attest to one of the following:
I have a high school diploma or GED, OR
I do not have a high school diploma or GED and will complete the English Proficiency Test administered by Sarr Care Academy.
Students may not enroll or pay tuition until the Ability to Benefit requirement has been met.
Students who do not have a high school diploma or GED must complete the required English Proficiency Test before enrollment.
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Sarr Care Academy does not discriminate based on:
Race, creed, color, national origin, sex, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or use of a service animal.
Students requesting accommodation must notify the school in writing.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP FROM HCA TO CNA?
Build on the skills and experience you've already earned as a Home Care Aide and take the next step toward CNA certification. Our next 62-Hour HCA to CNA Bridge Program cohort begins October 2026.
Take the first step by registering for our Enrollment Information Session.
Register for the Enrollment Information Session:
During the session, you'll learn about Bridge Program prerequisites, clinical requirements, training schedules, tuition, policies, and the enrollment process.
Because the Bridge Program includes supervised clinical training, students must meet all program and clinical eligibility requirements before beginning the applicable portion of training.
Enrollment Information Session Dates:
Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Next HCA to CNA Bridge Cohort: October 2026