This college offers a Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Training program with three options. The first is a five-credit basic nursing assistant training with a clinical component and coursework aimed at preparing the student for the state competency test. The second option is a six-credit program offering the same material as the five-credit program with additional clinical training and more in-depth medical training. The third option is a three-credit acute-care certificate available to students interested in acute care or emergency room careers. The first two options cover routine health care tasks, health conditions, bathing, dressing, grooming, exercising, toileting, monitoring vital signs, behavior management and infection control.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-659-6525
minneapolis.edu
This four-credit nursing-assistant program is recognized by the Minnesota Department of Health as preparation for taking the National Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Test as administered in-state. Students learn how to measure vital signs as well as assisting individuals with "physical needs such as personal hygiene, elimination, mobility, exercise and nutrition" according to the school's website. A full listing of major content areas, course outcomes and learning objectives is listed on the school's website under the common course outline section. To pass this course, students must receive at least a C grade, which is in the 77 to 84 percent range based on a score of 100 percent.
Normandale Community College
9700 France Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-487-8200
http://www.normandale.edu/academics/depts/nursing-assistant/Nursing_Assistant.cfm
http://faculty.normandale.edu/~cco/NURS/NURS1057.htm - common course outline page
The nursing assistant program at Rochester is a six-credit program. Also offered are additional courses specializing in long-term nursing care or in hospital-setting nursing assistance. The Nursing Assistant Theory and Clinical curriculum is offered several times throughout the academic year, allowing students to begin whenever they enroll.
The six-credit course teaches direct patient or resident care as well as care of equipment, proper charting, record keeping and the basics of home health services. Rochester offers the Enhanced Community Health Worker certificate that includes five credits of certified nursing assistant training and 11 credits regarding the health care industry's role in the community. The Nursing Assistant home page of the college's website has a video highlighting the work of nursing assistants.
Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Ave SE
Rochester, MN 55904-4999
507-285-7210
rctc.edu
Geographically speaking, options for taking nursing assistant courses in Minnesota dot the state map almost as the many lakes do. Listed in no specific order, here are additional options for obtaining training as a nursing assistant: Alexandria Technical College in Alexandria; Anoka Technical College in Anoka; Riverland Community College in Austin; Northwest Technical College in Bemidji; Central Lakes College in Brooklyn Park; Lake Superior College in Duluth; Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls; Mesabi Range Community and Technical College in Eveleth; Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls; Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids; Rainy River Community College in International Falls; Rasmussen College in Mankato; South Central College in North Mankato; Pine Technical College in Pine City; Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Pipestone and Worthington; Minnesota State College in Red Wing and Winona; Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount; St. Cloud Technical College in St. Cloud; St. Paul College in St. Paul and Ridgewater College in Willmar.