Nursing Assistant Program

Nursing assistants are high-demand, entry-level healthcare providers working the front line. You are a friendly caregiver who can brighten someone’s day simply by the simple things you do. Learn the basics for direct patient or resident care to work in long-term care facilities, assisted living neighborhoods, or hospitals. Test the healthcare waters and make a difference every day.

Program delivery

Hutchinson and Willmar campuses
Several starts throughout the year – see current options

Skills you will learn

Basic human needs
Resident and client rights
Legal and ethical considerations
Basic nursing and personal care skills
Mental health
Social needs
Restorative services
Safe lifting and moving

Choose Ridgewater

Caring for others is at the heart of health care, regardless of your career. Ridgewater’s Nursing Assistant program has a long training history of excellence. Choose from several, convenient five-week options throughout the year, whatever works for you. Practice your skills in our state-of-the-art labs with supervised, hands-on, real-world experiences. It’s no wonder employers seek our Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)!

Program Distinction

Approved by the Minnesota Department of Health

Program attributes that help students thrive

Hands-on experiences with committed, clinical partners
State-of-the-art equipment and simulation lab
Small class sizes for personal attention
Numerous training and assessment options
Experienced instructors

NOTE: Successful completion requires comprehension of written material. To success, students must have at least an eighth-grade reading level. Some classes are available for those who could benefit from extended learning time, who do not have English as their first language, who have a learning disability, or who have financial challenges. Students must submit current Mantoux test results (within 90 days) before clinicals.

Put the care in health care. Who knows – it could inspire you to pursue even more nursing education!