Start your healthcare journey with hands-on experience.
The Nursing Assistant course at Northwest Technical College builds essential patient-care skills while opening the door to CNA certification and continued nursing pathways. This page provides course details, testing options, and resources to help you take the next step.
Nursing Assistant Course (HLTH 1110)
HLTH 1110 – Nursing Assistant is a three-credit course at Northwest Technical College that provides foundational nursing assistant knowledge and hands-on patient-care skills.
This course is required for students planning to apply for:
- Practical Nursing (Diploma)
- Traditional RN (Associate Degree)
Through this course, students build core skills used in healthcare settings and meet key nursing program requirements.
After Completing the Nursing Assistant Course
Students who successfully complete HLTH 1110 are eligible to take the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Nursing Assistant certification exam.
- Passing both the knowledge and skills exams allows individuals to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
- CNA certification may be required by employers and is commonly used as a prerequisite for nursing programs
CNA Certification Testing at NTC
Northwest Technical College is a state-approved CNA testing site for the Minnesota Department of Health. Individuals may complete CNA certification testing at NTC regardless of where their training was completed.
What to expect on the exam
- Knowledge Exam: 70 multiple-choice questions
(English format; oral exam available by request) - Skills Exam: Hands-on skill demonstrations
(performed with a live “actor” and observed by a Registered Nurse Test Observer)
Official scoring is completed through Headmaster testing services.
Registration & fees
- Online registration required
- Both exams must be registered for:
- Knowledge Exam: $75
- Skills Exam: $150
Preparing for the CNA Exam
Candidates are encouraged to review official preparation materials prior to testing, including:
- Candidate Handbook
- Mock Skills Book
- Required terminology and testing expectations
Career & Next Steps
Nursing Assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, clinics, and community or home-care environments. Experience as a Nursing Assistant can support continued education and career advancement in healthcare, and students are encouraged to review career and employment outlook information to better understand job opportunities and workforce demand.