Next Generation Nursing Assistant: Train. Test. Work. CNA Training

Note: This content applied to the Next Generation Nursing Assistant Train. Test. Work. (Fall 2023-Spring 2024) cohort. Please use for reference only.

Train. Test. Work.

Ready to work in senior care? The Train. Test. Work. program offers no-cost training and testing and gets you on the job!

Nursing assistants are needed in every community in the state. They are so important that the State of Minnesota is investing in our future healthcare workforce by funding Next Generation Nursing Assistant Train. Test. Work. initiative.

The goal of Train. Test. Work. is to fill these important jobs in long-term care by providing free training and testing for Minnesotans who are ready to accept a job now. If you are prepared to start (or restart) a rewarding career in healthcare, this program may be for you!

Training will have a strong ready-to-work focus and include time to connect with employers who have immediate job openings. Many students will have job offers in-hand prior to taking the state certification exam.

While this training is a great way to gain experience and start a rewarding career in healthcare, it might not be a good fit for everyone. It is important to understand the role of a nursing assistant prior to enrolling. Please read the program requirements and FAQs below to see if you are a good fit for the training and if the training is a good fit for you.

Program requirements, eligible applicants:

• 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 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.

How do I sign up for training?

Find out what classes are currently available. If you do not see a class near you, please check back frequently as classes will be added throughout the spring. You can also provide your contact information here and we will send you periodic emails about class availability.

FIND TRAIN. TEST. WORK. TRAINING NEAR YOU

You can also contact us to learn about options to bring customized training to your group or organization.

Employers

Are you looking to hire Train. Test. Work. candidates? Connect in a variety of ways including showing support at orientation, sharing information about your local job openings, hosting or attending employer visits, sending recruiters for interviews, attending job fairs and reverse job fairs, and more! Employers interested in connecting with Train. Test. Work. candidates, please sign up and learn more.

FAQ

Currently there isn't training near me, or the training is full. What should I do?

Train. Test. Work. trainings will run through the end of 2024. Classes fill up quickly. Don’t worry if you don’t get in. Please add your name to the "I’m interested” list to be notified when training programs are added near you.

There are other great ways to start your career as a nursing assistant. We also encourage you to:

1. Contact your local nursing homes and see if they will support you in becoming a CNA. Jobs are available across Minnesota - there is probably a senior care employer near you.  Sometimes they will hire you into a different role and then pay for your nursing assistant training. This is a great way to start!
2. Your local CareerForce center also may be able to help. Find a CareerForce location near you.
3. You can enroll in any other Minnesota approved nursing assistant program. Minnesota State offers credit programs and continuing education programs. You can find private, non-profit, employer-based, or high school programs on the MN Department of Health website. For some programs, you may have to pay out of pocket up front, but after working for 90 days in a skilled nursing home, the nursing home is required to reimburse you for the cost of the training and the state certification test. Information on that can be found at the MN Department of Health website.

I need my nursing assistant training (or certification) for my college application or prerequisite to another healthcare program, can I take this training?

Unfortunately, the training is not for individuals whose main purpose for taking the training is to satisfy a prerequisite for a college application or other healthcare program. Train. Test. Work. is for individuals who are willing and able to start work in long term care upon completion of the program

I am currently working in a nursing home. Should I take this training?

Please ask your employer about their nursing assistant scholarship options first. Luckily, there is a mechanism already available to nursing facility employees to reimburse for nursing assistant training and testing. Under both federal and state law, nursing facilities are required under certain circumstances to pay for and/or to reimburse the costs of nurse aide training, testing and associated expenses. Please ask your employer’s human resources department about the MN Nursing facility employee scholarship program available through Minnesota Department of Human Services. If your employer’s department has questions about what is and isn’t reimbursable under this scholarship program, they can contact Munna Yasiri.