Health Sciences Department
For some six decades, Citrus College has been at the heart of the San Gabriel Valley's health care story. From dental assisting and emergency medical services to cutting-edge programs in allied health, the college has trained generations of professionals whose expertise and compassion have touched countless lives. As California's population grows and medical technology evolves, the demand for skilled, service-minded practitioners continues to rise. The health sciences department meets that demand head-on, preparing students to launch rewarding, high-impact careers that strengthen the well-being of their communities.
At Citrus College, students don't just study health care — they experience it. Our accredited programs combine rigorous classroom instruction with immersive, hands-on learning in modern labs and real-world environments. Students refine their skills in state-of-the-art facilities, then bring those lessons to life through clinical placements, volunteer work and outreach initiatives. Whether designing wellness programs for local schools or providing supervised dental care at public health events, they gain the confidence and competence to make an immediate difference. Graduates leave Citrus not only career-ready, but inspired — many continuing on to four-year universities, all united by a shared purpose to heal, help and lead.
📅 MANDATORY ORIENTATIONS, INFORMATION SESSIONS
ADN-RN Important Dates, Orientation
Dental Assisting Information Sessions
EMT Information Sessions
HHA Information Sessions
Nurse Assistant (CNA) Orientation Sessions
📅 NURSING COUNSELING
Appointment Options
📅 NURSING WORKSHOPS
Nursing Application Workshops
Nursing Information Workshops
HEALTH SCIENCES DISCIPLINES
HISTORICAL TIDBIT: The colleges first health program was dental assisting, which began in 1966. Medical assisting and vocational nursing both started in 1969, followed by nurse aide in 1972, emergency medical technician in 1974, nurse assistant in 1980 and home health aide in 1986.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Salima Allahbachayo, health sciences director
Stefanie Fuentes, administrative secretary
Elisa MacDuff, administrative secretary
☎️ (626) 916-8720
📍 OFFICE LOCATION
The Professional Center Building is located on the northeast corner of the campus at Foothill Boulevard and Barranca
Avenue. The health sciences department administrative office can be found on the second
floor in PC 204.
LICENSURE RATE INFORMATION
California License Examination Passage Rates
The RDA program information session is mandatory in order to receive the application packet.
The mandatory information session covers the program requirements in detail with the RDA coordinator. No pre-registration is required.
Please bring a pen and paper to take notes.
All application packet information must be complete and turned in to the health sciences office (PC 204) before being considered for enrollment.
Attendance to only ONE (1) mandatory session is necessary.
All mandatory information sessions are held online via Zoom. Meeting links are provided for each online session below.
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DATE: January 13, 2026
TIME: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
ONLINE SESSION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: January 20, 2026
TIME: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
ONLINE SESSION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: February 10, 2026
TIME: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
ONLINE SESSION LINK: Zoom link
All counselors are welcome to join!
To attend an EMT Zoom information session, you will need to register in advance for one of the following dates.
After registering for a selected date, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual Zoom information session.
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DATE: TBA
TIME: TBA
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link and meeting ID
To receive your EMT certification, you must take two courses which can be taken simultaneously. These courses are HEAL 100 and HEAL 161 (10 units with both courses combined). We will help you arrange one ambulance ride along and one hospital rotation as your clinical experience.
To receive the application and further program information, students must attend the home health aide mandatory orientation for the particular winter or summer session they wish to enroll in, as applications are subject to change.
All required documentation must be submitted to the health sciences office in the Professional Center Building (PC 204) in order to be considered for enrollment.
Admission is based on a first-come, first-served basis. All documents must remain valid throughout the program (no exceptions).
-
DATE: TBA
TIME: TBA
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom registration link -
DATE: TBA
TIME: TBA
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom registration link
The nurse assistant program mandatory orientation session covers the program requirements in detail with the nurse assistant instructor.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
- In order to receive the NA program application packet and checklist for possible
enrollment, you MUST attend an orientation session.
- The application will be sent to the email address you provide at the time of the Zoom
session registration (below). This can be either your personal or your Citrus College
student email address.
- All application packet information must be complete and handed in no later than one week prior to the health sciences office (PC 204) before being considered for enrollment. Acceptance is based on a first come, first served basis.
MANDATORY ORIENTATION ZOOM SCHEDULE
To attend a Zoom orientation, you will need to register in advance.
After registering for a selected date, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual orientation.
Orientations are subject to change or cancellation due to full enrollment.
Click here to review the nurse assistant course offerings in the spring schedule.
ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW ARE PACIFIC TIME (California).
-
DATE: January 13, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: January 15, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: February 3, 2026
TIME: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: February 4, 2026
TIME: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: February 24, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: February 27, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: March 5, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: March 10, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link -
DATE: March 13, 2026
TIME: 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (PT)
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom link
The Citrus College Nursing program counselors are committed to helping prospective students access the information, guidance and resources needed to succeed in the nursing program.
One of the most valuable steps you can take toward success is to stay in regular contact with a nursing counselor, who can help you plan your coursework, stay on track and prepare for program admission.
Counseling services include:
- academic advising
- educational planning
- nursing pathways
- referrals to program and campus resources
- review of graduation requirements, including prerequisite (core sciences) GPA
- transcript evaluation
- up-to-date information about transfer for nursing majors through the use of ASSIST and other resources
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Nursing counselors Jorge Acosta and Vanessa Juarez are available for in-person, telephone
and video counseling (Zoom) appointments.
- Appointments can be made for 30 minutes or 45 minutes.
- First time students may receive an error message when using the online appointment system. If you have never met with a counselor, please contact the Counseling and Advisement Center at (626) 914-8530 for assistance BEFORE using the online appointment scheduler.
To schedule an appointment with a nursing counselor, click on the appropriate link below.
If there are no appointments available or if you do not see a particular counselor, please use the general counseling online appointment scheduler.
In-person appointments for nursing may not be in the Counseling and Advisement Center – please refer to your appointment confirmation email for the location of your appointment.
The nursing application workshops will be held virtually through Zoom.
To attend a virtual workshop, you will need to register in advance.
After registering for a selected date, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual workshop.
Students interested in applying to the registered nursing program (ADN-RN) at Citrus College should attend one of our workshops for information on the online application process. We will provide an overview of the online application, step-by-step instructions and answer any questions you may have.
- DATE: TBA
TIME: TBA
REGISTRATION LINK: TBA
The nursing information workshops will be held virtually through Zoom.
To attend a virtual workshop, you will need to register in advance. After registering for a selected date, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual workshop.
The workshop will provide information on the AND-RN, LVN and CNA programs at Citrus College. Topics include, but are not limited to, prerequisites, eligibility requirements and the selection process of Citrus College's nursing programs.
- DATE: TBA
TIME: TBA
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom registration link - DATE: TBA
TIME: TBA
REGISTRATION LINK: Zoom registration link
REMINDERS
- Times and dates are subject to change. Registration is required to attend.
- Arrive on time. Plan accordingly.
- You do not have to be enrolled at Citrus College to attend these workshops; however, registration is required.
- Check this web page for updates.