Healthy Helpful Insight Healthcare Institute (HHIHI) offers a five-week, in-person CNA training course in Minneapolis, Minnesota, led by a highly experienced nurse educator. The program costs $2,150 and includes hands-on clinical training, a textbook, uniform, lab supplies, and job placement support. Classes are held two days a week (typically Monday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and students are trained to pass the Minnesota State Board CNA exam. Founded by Latasha Lee, MSN, RN, PHN, a nurse with nearly 30 years of healthcare experience, the school emphasizes workforce diversity and directly addresses the Twin Cities’ healthcare worker shortage.
Program Overview
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Healthy Helpful Insight Healthcare Institute is a five-week, in-person course designed to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to pass the Minnesota CNA certification exam. It’s a local option for students in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area looking for a straightforward, hands-on program that prepares them for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce.
Classes are held two days per week, generally on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The training blends classroom learning with lab-based skill practice and clinical experience in a long-term care setting during the final week. This format is ideal for students who want a quick yet immersive introduction to healthcare.
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What the Tuition Covers
The total cost of the CNA training is $2,150. This price includes:
- Classroom, lab, and clinical instruction
- Textbook and student workbook
- Lab supplies ($100 value)
- Student ID badge
- Uniform
- Student insurance ($15)
- Instruction from a Master’s-prepared registered nurse
- A small class size for more individualized attention
- Access to job placement assistance through employer partnerships
It’s worth noting that state certification exam fees are not included, so students should plan for that additional expense.
Flexible Payment Plans
For those who need help managing tuition, the program offers a payment plan option. The total tuition in this case is reduced to $1,850, broken into three bi-weekly payments:
- Week 1: $716.66
- Week 2: $716.66
- Week 3: $716.66
Payments are due every Monday by 5:00 p.m., and students must pay in full one week prior to the start of class. A formal withdrawal request is required at least three days before class starts to avoid penalties.
Admissions Requirements
While the program doesn’t publish a formal admissions checklist, it does emphasize a few critical details:
- Students must have two forms of government-issued ID, and the names on both must match. The state testing center may reject mismatched documentation.
- Payment arrangements or full payment must be completed before the course starts.
- Students must be committed to a five-week course with full-day classes twice a week.
Curriculum and Hands-On Training
The course is structured to cover every key CNA skill, from assisting with activities of daily living to understanding infection control procedures. During the first five weeks, students split their time between the classroom and a simulated lab setting. In week five, the class moves to a clinical environment at a long-term care facility, where students practice their skills on real patients under supervision.
This layout not only helps build confidence and competence but also prepares students directly for the Minnesota State Boards. The hands-on training is taught in a supportive, relaxed environment designed to make learning less intimidating—an approach especially helpful for those new to healthcare.
Job Placement and Employer Connections
One of the biggest benefits of the HHIHI program is its strong job placement assistance. As part of a collaborative network with local healthcare employers, the institute brings in employers to interview students on day one. Students can choose who they’d prefer to work with, and by week five, employers return for follow-up interviews. Once students pass their certification exam, many step directly into jobs with one of these partners.
Employment opportunities for graduates include:
- Hospitals
- Home health agencies
- Doctor’s offices
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living centers
- Hospice
- Behavioral health settings
- Travel CNA roles
This built-in employment pipeline is a major plus, especially for career changers or anyone eager to enter the workforce fast.
Location and Schedule
The institute is located at:
705 42nd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Its central location makes it accessible to students from Saint Paul, Edina, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Bloomington, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Minnetonka, and Eagan.
The facility is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closed on weekends.
About the Founder
The program was founded by Latasha Lee, an experienced nurse who holds a Master’s in Nursing and a public health credential. Latasha brings nearly 30 years of experience in the healthcare field, including time as a CNA herself. She currently serves on the Minnesota Board of Nursing, has taught nursing students at the graduate level, and remains deeply involved in advocacy through organizations like Black Nurses Rock Twin Cities and the NAACP Wellness Committee.
Her mission is deeply personal—she founded the school in memory of her sister, with a dual goal of increasing diversity in healthcare and reducing Minnesota’s caregiver shortage. Her leadership brings a sense of purpose and mentorship to the entire program.
Community Recognition
The program has received media attention for its success in addressing the shortage of over 23,000 caregivers in Minnesota. In its first graduating class, 16 students completed the program, many of whom have since moved on to become nurses or are furthering their healthcare education. Several received financial aid through the Medica Foundation, which has supported the school’s mission to keep training affordable and accessible.
Supportive, Student-Focused Learning
What sets HHIHI apart from other CNA programs is the personalized, supportive environment. With small class sizes, direct access to nurse instructors, and a culture of encouragement, students are set up for success from day one. Whether it’s your first time in healthcare or you’re returning to the field, the hands-on approach helps remove fear and replace it with confidence.
The program also offers supplemental training options in CPR, AED, First Aid, and traumatic bleed control, providing students with more tools to serve in a variety of care settings.
Who Should Consider Healthy Helpful Insight Healthcare Institute
If you live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and want quick, hands-on CNA training with built-in job support, this program is worth a serious look. It’s best suited for motivated learners who can commit to a two-day-a-week schedule over five weeks and want to start working immediately after certification.
The cost is competitive, and the payment plan offers flexibility for students on a budget. The job placement assistance and employer connections make this school especially appealing for those looking to avoid a long job search after training.
This program is also a strong choice for career changers and those from underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare, thanks to founder Latasha Lee’s ongoing commitment to diversity and mentoring. If you’re looking for more than just a class—a program that truly supports you from start to finish—HHIHI delivers.
Category | Details |
Cost: | $2,150 (includes supplies, uniform, insurance; state exam fees not included) |
Duration & Clock Hours: | 5 weeks; classes held 2 days/week from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
Evening/Weekend Classes?: | No |
Online Classes?: | No |
Job Placement?: | Yes; employer interviews conducted during the program |
Requirements: | Matching names on 2 government-issued IDs; full payment or payment plan completion before class start |
Address: | 705 42nd Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412 |
Phone: | 612-321-8823 |
Email: | [email protected] or [email protected] |
Website: | https://hhihi.org |
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