Are you a student looking for CNA training classes in Minnesota? Do you know what the requirements are to be accepted into an accredited program, how much it will cost, and how long it will take? Welcome to this blog post. We are going to answer all of your questions about Minnesota CNA training and provide links where you can find more information.
CNA Training Classes in Minnesota
Minnesota offers the following types of CNA classes: online and on campus. Evening and weekend are also options for many schools. Ultimately, it depends on your personal situation which type will work best for you. If you’re able to attend classes in person, that is always the preferred option as it can be difficult to stay fully immersed in an online course without help from classmates around you. Online courses are great if they offer live lectures/chats with instructors or tutors available during specified time slots, but if you can’t find a class with this availability then evening or weekend courses might work better for meeting your schedule preferences.
Two outstanding institutions that lead the Minnesota healthcare sectors are The University of Minnesota Medical School and The Mayo Clinic and a good network of hospitals across the state.
Some of the other reputed training centers in the state are:
- Accelerated School of Nursing Assistant in Brooklyn
- Alexandria Technical College in Alexandria
- Anoka Technical College in Minnesota
- Anoka Ramsey Community College in Cambridge
- Central Lakes College in Brainerd
- American Red Cross CNA training program
Where can you Find Free CNA Training in Minnesota?
There are a number of places to find free training in Minnesota. You can contact your local hospital or nursing home and see if they offer training for their employees. Many schools, such as Riverland Community College, the Minneapolis Mayor’s office, Fairview Nursing Home, and the Edina Department of Employment would also be good options for you to explore.
There is also military training which may either require a short time commitment or tuition reimbursement when leaving after service has been completed. Finally, there are those who don’t want certification at all but just want some quick skills brush-ups which many employers will reimburse you for.
Here is a list of nursing homes in Minnesota that provide free CNA Training:
| Name of the Nursing Home | Address | Phone No. |
| Annandale Care Center | 500 Park Street East, Annandale, MN 55302 | (320) 274-3737 |
| Apple Valley Medical Center | 14655 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley, MN 55124 | (952) 432-6161 |
| Appleton Area Health Services | 30 South Behl, Appleton, MN 56208 | (320) 289-1580 |
| Bayshore Residence and Rehabilitation Center | 1601 Street Louis Avenue, Duluth, MN 55802 | (218) 727-8651 |
| Benedictine Health System | 503 East Third Street, Suite 400, Duluth, MN 55805 | (218) 786-2370 |
| Country Manor Campus | 520 First Street NE, Sartell, MN 56377 | (320) 253-1920 |
| Fair Oaks Lodge | 201 Shady Lane Drive, Wadena, MN 56482 | (218) 631-1391 |
| Fairfax Community Home, Inc. | 300 Tenth Avenue Southeast, Fairfax, Minnesota 55332 | (507) 426-8241 |
| Elim Care | 7485 Office Ridge Circle, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 | (952) 259-4500 |
| Little Sisters of the Poor- Holy Family Residence | 330 Exchange Street South, St. Paul, MN 55102-2311 | (651) 227-0336 |
| Adams Health Care Center | 810 West Main Street, Adams, MN 55909 | (507) 582- 3263 |
| Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck | 1101 Black Oak Drive, New Brighton, MN 55112 | (651) 633-1686 |
| Birchwood Senior Living | 604 1st Street Northeast, Forest Lake, MN 55025 | (651) 998-2163 |
| GracePointe Crossing | 135 Fern Street, NorthCambridge, MN 55008 | (763) 689-1474 |
| Grand Village | 923 Hale Lake Pointe, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 | (218) 326-0543 |
| St. William’s Living Center | 212 West Soo Street, Parkers Prairie, MN 56361 | (218) 338-4671 |
How to Become a CNA in Minnesota?
First, you should select a CNA training program for which to apply. If you meet the prerequisites then enroll in the program and complete it within the required timeframe. After completing your CNA Training, take and pass your competency exam to be certified as a CNA in Minnesota.
Prerequisites for CNA Courses in Minnesota
- To be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or Equivalent (Optional)
- Having good communication skills (Both reading and writing)
- Passing a criminal history check
- Having a negative two-step TB test
- Having a physical exam report
- Having Current immunization records
What You Will Learn During The Training?
CNA coursework includes two sections: one for technical instruction and the other consisting of hands-on practice in a living health care setting. The first classroom sessions are lectures that cover basic theory, while on second practical section students learn how to carry out their tasks within an actual clinical environment where they can apply what was learned from lecture content.
| Classroom Session |
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| Clinical Session |
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How Long Does It Take To Become a CNA in Minnesota?
Minnesota CNA programs must last at least 75 hours. This includes 59 hours of classroom study and 16 for clinical training, which is conducted under the supervision an RN.
| Classroom Session | 59 hours |
| Clinical Session | 16 hours |
| Total | 75 hours |
Procedure for The Minnesota CNA Certification Exam
After completing the CNA course in Minnesota, you can apply for the certification exam. The exam offered in both written and oral formats so that you can choose whichever one suits your needs best. The test consists of 70 multiple-choice questions which will evaluate whether or not you have an adequate understanding of nursing concepts. The skills test evaluates how well you can perform practical tasks with supervision from a proctor who assigns five random activities along the way to assess performance on each task.
| Exam Type | Question Type | Given Time |
| Written Test | 70 Multiple Choice | 120 Minutes |
| Practical Test | 5 Randomly Selected Skill | 25 Minutes |
Minnesota CNA exams costs are as follows:
| Written and skills exam | $64 |
| Oral & skills exam | $64 |
| Written retake | $42 |
| Skills retake | $22 |
| Oral retake | $42 |
How Much Does Minnesota CNA Program Cost?
On average, CNA program in Minnesota will cost you around $1000 but this number can be much higher or lower depending on the institution.
Is Financial Aid Available for CNA Program in Minnesota?
Minnesota does offer state and college grants to help finance a CNA program, but most grants have very strict eligibility requirements. To find out if you’re eligible for direct financial aid, call or visit the Financial Aid office of your desired school. Students attending Community Colleges are also able to attend tuition-free. For those looking for financial assistance in way of loans, contact one of the many hospitals offering CNA opportunities and inquire about their available positions.
How Much Does a CNA Make in Minnesota?
The average CNA salary in Minnesota is $16.90 a hour or $35,150 per year depending on the experience and qualifications of the applicant. Entry-level candidates can expect to make around 24K annually while experienced applicants may have an opportunity for higher salaries up to 53k yearly as well as benefits like health insurance and paid vacation days.
| Designation | Average Annual Income |
| Psychiatric Aide | USD 34,000 |
| Pediatric Care Nurse Assistant | USD 35,000 |
| Hospital or Nursing Home Nurse Aide | USD 53,000 |
| Nurse Aides working in Long Term Care Facilities | USD 24,000 |
| Personal Caregivers | USD 31,000 |
| Home Health Aides | USD 26,000 |
We hope you’ve found this post to be helpful. If not, please let us know and we will try our best to answer your questions. To learn more, visit our CNA FAQ page or contact us anytime for personalized assistance with Minnesota CNA program options.
