Next Generation Nursing Assistant: Train. Test. Work.

Next Generation Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)

Your Healthcare career starts here! This Nursing Assistant course is approved by the Minnesota Department of Health. Learn basic nursing skills including how to take vital signs, provide personal care, and mobility assistance. Become prepared to work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home care agencies. You'll be guided by a team of registered nurses who care about your success! Don't miss your chance to begin your healthcare career, FREE! Seats are limited, and classes start soon! See course availability »

This course is included in the Next Generation Nursing Assistant – Train, Test, Work initiative. For accepted Next Generation Nursing Assistant – Train, Test, Work students, this course and registry testing are available tuition-free thanks to State of Minnesota funding to help with the nursing assistant workforce shortage. Participants are required to work as a nursing assistant after training completion. 

Upcoming Course Calendars:

• What's Included?
• Requirements
• Attendance Requirements
• Certification Testing
• Accommodations

Completely Free CNA Training

Training and testing is completely free for students, funded by the State of Minnesota.

Covered expenses include:

• Course tuition and fees
• Books
• Notebook
• Materials
• Scrubs gift card
• One certification exam

Note: A $10.50 fee may be required for fingerprinting and photo. This is the only out of pocket fee students will be responsible for.

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Requirements

• Must be a resident of Minnesota, over the age of 16, and able to work in the United States.
• Must be interested in and plan on accepting a position in long-term care upon completion of the program. People who are not able or do not want to work immediately should wait until they are or choose another training program.
• Must be in good physical condition. Nursing assistants frequently move patients and have other physically demanding tasks, such as bathing, grooming, toileting, walking, exercising, and feeding patients.
• Must be able to pass a Department of Human Services background study.
• Must complete the vaccine and tuberculosis testing requirements of their employer.
• Must attend mandatory orientation, all class sessions, and testing.
• Must complete and pass a knowledge test and a skills test to be added to the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry and seek employment.
• For hybrid courses, applicants must provide their own computer and internet access to participate in online courses.

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Certification Testing

• Upon successful completion of the course, students will be scheduled for the Minnesota NA certification exam.
• The certification exam is taken on a computer which is provided by the college. An oral version of the written exam is available to those who request it.

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Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to be in 100% attendance during classroom, skills, and clinical work experience. Any skills practice/lab/clinical time missed will require the student to pay for private tutor time with the instructor.

ATCC reserves the right to reschedule anyone who arrives late. Due to the accelerated nature of this course, in most cases 100% attendance is required to successfully complete training sessions.

Some courses will be in-person and some will be hybrid (in-person and online). See course registration for details.

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Accommodations

Accommodations for written tests can be made for students with a current Individual Education Plan (IEP) through the school system with a disability diagnosis from their health provider.

• Persons who are English Language Learners (ELL) are not considered disabled and must take the unit tests in writing to assure deliverance of safe care.
• Training programs are taught in English only, translation is not available.

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This class meets OBRA requirements for training nurse assistants and home health aides and meets the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) standards. Students practice skills in a supervised laboratory setting and in a clinical environment in long-term care.

Alexandria Technical & Community College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. In addition, discrimination in employment based on membership or activity in a local commission as defined in the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat. 363.01, subd. 23 is prohibited.

Email Addresses: Providing your email address will allow Customized Training Department staff to communicate with you via email. If appropriate, your email address may also be placed on a targeted email marketing list to profile upcoming classes, trainings, events, etc. offered by the Customized Training Department at Alexandria Technical & Community College. Email addresses are not distributed.