ALEXANDRIA – Alexandria Technical and Community College is joining the response to nursing home staffing shortages in Minnesota by offering free nursing assistant classes.
The Next Generation Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course is a special offering that allows students to complete the nursing assistant course in January at no cost to participants. The course is an accelerated 84-hour, three-credit state approved course that prepares students to take the required Minnesota Nurse Assistant exam.
Covered expenses funded by the State of Minnesota include tuition and fees, books, materials, scrubs, certification exam and a $100 gas card for travel to and from the college.
The free training is in response to Gov. Tim Walz’s recent initiative to recruit, train and deploy at least 1,000 CNAs for Minnesota long-term care facilities.
“Alexandria College was founded on preparing students for workforce demands and we are continuously responding to the evolving industry needs,” said Alexandria College President Michael Seymour. “Healthcare needs are quickly changing and we are proud to answer the governor’s call to train and place qualified nursing home staff.”
The curriculum is designed to help students develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge essential in giving direct and supportive care as a nursing assistant in long-term care and assisted living. The course will be a mix of online and on-campus learning. Instructional units will be completed online, while labs and clinicals take place on campus.
The Next Generation CNA at Alexandria College is limited to 20 students and the registration deadline is Jan. 9. For more information about careers in healthcare, go to alextech.edu/nextgencna.
–Echo Press News Staff
