Nurse Aide Training Programs in Minnesota

What are some of the best schools and facilities providing CNA training classes in Minnesota? The top CNA programs are those which prepare students to not only pass the CNA state exam but also to be ready and confident once they begin working as a new nurse aide. East Metro Opportunities Industrialization Center is a well known educational institution which provides quality training and education to Minnesota students seeking a vocational career. Nurse aide courses at East Metro OIC can be completed in just sixteen (16) days. Upon completion of the three (3) week long CNA class, students may challenge the nurse aide certification exam and become certified nursing assistants in Minnesota.

In an effort to facilitate program enrollment for adults which are currently working in other fields and wish to attend CNA training courses, the school is offering the option to attend either day or evening nurse aide classes. Students graduating from this program are prepared to work as nurse assistants in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living centers. Did you know that basic care skills and CNA certification are becoming an admission requirement for licensed and registered nurse programs? After working as a certified nurse assistant for a couple of years you may decide to enhance your education and career opportunities by enrolling in a nursing program. Thus, a CNA class may serve as a stepping stone for future opportunities in the health care field.

CNA Courses in Rice County

St. Lucas Care Center - Faribault
500 SE 1st Street, Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: 507-332-5100

South Central College - Faribault
1225 SW 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021
Phone: 507-332-5800
This school is also an approved test site.

Northfield Retirement Community
900 Cannon Valley Drive, Northfield, MN 55057
Phone: 507-664-3488

Three Links Care Center - Northfield
815 Forest Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057
Phone: 507-645-6611

Rock County

Tuff Memorial - Hills
505 E 4th Street, Hills, MN 56138
Phone: 507-962-3275

Roseau County

Lifecare Roseau Manor
715 Delmore Drive, Roseau, MN 56751
Phone: 218-463-2500

Warroad Care Center
1401 Lake Street NW, Warroad, MN 56763
Phone: 218-386-1235

Saint Louis County

Lake Superior College - Duluth
2101 Trinity Road, Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: 800-432-2884
This school is also an approved test site.

Mesabi Range Community and Tech College - Eveleth
1100 Industrial Park Drive, Eveleth, MN 55734
Phone: 800-657-3860
This school is also an approved test site.

Hibbing Community College
1515 East 25th Street, Hibbing, MN 55746
Phone: 218-262-7200
This school is also an approved test site.

Scott County

The Lutheran Home - Belle Plaine
611 West Main Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011
Phone: 952-873-2215

Shakopee High School
100 17th Avenue West, Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: 952-496-5152

Sherburne County

Guardian Angels Care Center - Elk River
400 Evans Avenue, Elk River, MN 55330
Phone: 763-441-1213

Stearns County

Melrose Sr High School
546 5th Avenue NE, Melrose, MN 56352
Phone: 320-256-4224

Cherrywood Advanced Living - Richmond
150 Barry Avenue NW, Richmond, MN 56368
Phone: 320-257-1647

St. Cloud Technical and Community College - Saint Cloud
1540 Northway Drive, Saint Cloud, MN 56303
Phone: 320-203-2386
This school is also an approved test site.

St. Benedict's Senior Community - Saint Cloud
1810 Minnesota Boulevard SE, Saint Cloud, MN 56304
Phone: 320-252-0010

Country Manor Health Care and Retirement Center - Sartell
520 1st Street NE, Sartell, MN 56377
Phone: 320-253-1920

Todd County

Browerville High School
Box 185, 6th and Park Avenue, Browerville, MN 56438
Phone: 320-594-2272

Centracare Health System - Long Prairie
20 9th Street SE, Long Prairie, MN 56347
Phone: 320-732-2141

Staples Motley High School
401 Centennial Lane, Staples, MN 56479
Phone: 218-894-2439

Wadena County

Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Wadena
405 SW Colfax, Box 566, Wadena, MN 56482
Phone: 218-631-3530
This school is also an approved test site.

Waseca County

Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home - Waseca
108 NW 8th Street, Waseca, MN 56093
Phone: 507-835-2800

Winona County

St. Anne of Winona
902 East 2nd Street, Suite 328, Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-474-4980

Minnesota State College - Southeast Tech - Winona
1250 Homer Road, Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 877-853-8324
This school is only an approved test site.

Wright County

Wright Technical Center, School District # 0966 - Buffalo
1405 3rd Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN 55313
Phone: 763-682-4112

Kathryn's Nursing Assistant Training - Cokato
1611 County Road 4 SW, Cokato, MN 55321
Phone: 320-286-5304

Anderson's Nar - HHA Training - Cokato
P. O. Box 487, Cokato, MN 55321
Phone: 320-583-4820

Yellow Medicine County

MN West Community and Tech College - Canby
1011 1st Street West, Canby, MN 56220
Phone: 507-223-7252
This school is only an approved test site.

Sanford Canby Medical Center-Sylvan Court
112 St. Olaf Avenue South, Canby, MN 56220
Phone: 507-223-7277

MN West Community and Tech College - Granite Falls
1593 11th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241
Phone: 320-564-4511
This school is only an approved test site.

CNA Schools in Minnesota ( Page 1 )

Nursing assistant programs prepare individuals for challenging the nurse aide certification exam and for entry level positions in health care environments. Each state has the authority to decide how many hours of training a nursing assistant course must consist of, as long as the minimum federal requirement of seventy-five hours is met. Students interested in attending CNA classes have a wide array of choices when it comes to selecting a training facility.

Nursing assistant courses are conducted at nursing homes, vocational schools, private schools, and community colleges. Program length, admission requirements, and cost of training vary depending on the policies of every training facility. Several states have implemented legislation which requires licensed long-term care facilities to reimburse CNA employees for the costs associated with training. An individual who has paid for nursing assistant training classes and who becomes employed by a nursing home within a year of obtaining certification, is eligible for financial reimbursement. Compared to other training programs in the health care field, nursing assistant classes are relatively short and inexpensive. Obtaining state certification as a CNA is the main requirement for securing a nurse aide job at a nursing home, hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility.

CNA Training Schools and Programs

CNA classes, schools and programs by state.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Felica G. on July 16, 2014 at 02:23 PM
How long do CNA classes take and what exactly do you have to do?


Admin on July 19, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Nursing assistant training courses may take anywhere between three weeks to three months to complete, depending on the facility or school which offers the program. To enroll in nurse aide classes you must meet certain admission criteria pertaining to education, health, and background history. Those who are accepted into CNA classes must complete both the classroom and hands-on practice sessions to graduate. Finally, one must pass a final exam which tests a candidate's skills and abilities to practice correctly and safely. When you pass this final test you become a certified nurse aide.


After becoming a CNA how much more training does it take to become an RN?

I am really interested in becoming a certified nursing assistant. I am in the military and we go out to sea continuously. I do not have too much time to actually attend a program until next year. Who offers online CNA classes?

How do I sign up for CNA training?

How long does it take to get a CNA certificate?

Do you have any advice for someone having to go to a CNA job interview?

CNA Resources

CNA Training Requirements

There is a wide disparity between CNA training requirements among the states. The difference lies in the mandatory number of total training hours necessary to complete state-approved CNA classes.


While according to federal law each nursing assistant course should contain a minimum of seventy-five (75) instruction and clinical hours, individual states have the liberty to mandate extra training requirements for certified nursing assistants. The majority of states exceed the threshold federal minimum requirements for nurse aide training programs because they are considered insufficient to result in an optimal and safe level of care for clients.


A review of nationwide state requirements for nurse assistant courses has found that the following states have mandated highest number of CNA program hours: Maine with a minimum of 90 hours of theory, 20 hours of laboratory skills and 70 hours of clinical instruction for a total of 180 hours; California with one hundred and sixty (160) training hours; Delaware and Oregon each requiring one hundred and fifty (150) hours; followed by the state of Alaska with one hundred and forty (140) hours; Virginia, Arizona, and West Virginia have a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) training hours for state-approved classes.

CNA Training Programs

Nurse Aide Registries

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