Healthcare & Human Services

This state-approved course prepares students to provide direct resident care in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home healthcare settings. Participants develop essential skills in infection control, communication, personal care, and resident rights through classroom instruction and hands-on lab and clinical practice. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the Minnesota Department of Health Nursing Assistant Competency Exam.

Ridgewater College is an approved testing site for the Minnesota Department of Health Nursing Assistant Competency Exams. Candidates who have completed a state-approved course or who qualify through prior experience may schedule and complete their written and skills exams at Ridgewater. Successful completion results in placement on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

This Minnesota State–approved program prepares nursing assistants and direct care staff to safely administer medications in licensed skilled nursing facilities. Participants study drug classifications, dosage calculation, safe medication administration procedures, and resident observation techniques. Training includes both online theory and in-person lab practice, with competency demonstrations required for completion.