SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Migrants and asylum-seekers can become certified nursing assistants at no cost at the San Diego College of Continuing Education.

The instruction is being offered at the Cesar Chavez Campus in Barrio Logan, not too far from downtown San Diego.

“We’re the non-credit division, we don’t give out degrees, but we have several certifications and nursing assistant is just one of them,” said Kenny Parker, a professor in the nursing department.

Parker says anyone is welcome to take the classes, especially migrants and asylum-seekers who may have been in the medical field in their home countries.

“We’ve had students come from other countries as doctors, nurses, but they just don’t know what the standards are in California, so they come to our nursing assistant program and they learn the standards and requirements by the California Department of Public Health,” he said.

The school, which is part of the San Diego Community College District, also offers English classes to help students better understand their nursing courses and other classes.

“If they are looking for a nursing school in California, having a certified nursing assistant qualification means extra points on their application, so we help them get qualified,” Parker said. “Ninety-eight percent of our students go on to pass the state examination on their first try.”

Parker told Border Report he stays connected with former students via social media and an occasional phone call, and he says it’s always exciting to hear about their progress.

“I had one student who is now a nurse practitioner. I’m always glad to help them get their careers going.”

The nursing assistant program is free of charge for migrants and asylum-seekers.