The Nursing Assistant course at Hennepin Technical College (HTC) is a 4-credit hybrid CNA training program available at both the Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie campuses. This program combines online learning, hands-on lab sessions, and 16 hours of clinical experience. Approved by the Minnesota Department of Health, the course meets the state’s 75-hour training requirement and prepares students to take the CNA certification exam. It also fulfills a prerequisite for HTC’s Practical Nursing program. The course runs for approximately six weeks, with daytime classes offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Program Overview
Hennepin Technical College’s Nursing Assistant program is designed for anyone looking to jump-start a career in healthcare or meet entry requirements for the school’s Practical Nursing program. This is a hybrid-format course, which means students complete some coursework online while gaining hands-on training during scheduled lab sessions and clinical hours.This setup provides the best of both worlds—flexibility with online learning and practical, real-world experience under supervision. Students gain the core knowledge and physical caregiving skills necessary to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Minnesota.
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Course Structure and Duration
The Nursing Assistant course is labeled NAHA1010 and consists of 4 credits: 3 credits for lecture and 1 credit for lab work. As required by Minnesota guidelines, students also complete 16 hours of clinical experience in a supervised setting. These hours, when added up, fulfill the 75-hour total needed for CNA certification eligibility.
The program runs over a six-week period, with instruction typically held during the day. It’s available across three terms—fall, spring, and summer—giving students the flexibility to begin when it suits them best. It’s worth noting that attendance is mandatory, especially for clinicals and in-person training.
Locations and Campus Experience
HTC’s CNA course is offered at two campuses: Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie. Both locations provide access to modern nursing labs and resources to support hands-on skills development. While the course shares a standard structure at both sites, it’s best to contact your preferred campus to confirm specific schedules and availability.
The college also encourages students with disabilities to reach out to Access Services for accommodations, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Learning Outcomes and What You’ll Gain
The program is focused on preparing students to work in long-term care, home care, and hospital settings, where CNAs are often the backbone of daily patient support.
Skills and outcomes emphasized include:
- How to assist with bathing, feeding, toileting, and mobility
- Understanding dementia care and end-of-life considerations
- Infection control and standard safety precautions
- Therapeutic communication, especially with cognitively impaired patients
- Cultural sensitivity in patient care
- Recognizing symptoms like dehydration, nutritional issues, and fluid imbalance
In short, students are trained to provide care that is both clinical and compassionate, reflecting the real responsibilities they’ll face in entry-level roles.
Certification and Career Pathways
Once the course is completed, students become eligible to sit for the Minnesota CNA competency exam, which includes both a written and skills test. Passing this exam places students on the Minnesota Department of Health Nursing Assistant Registry, allowing them to work as a CNA in the state.
Importantly, this course also serves as the required prerequisite for HTC’s Practical Nursing program. So, if you’re looking to eventually become an LPN or RN, this is a strong first step that puts you on a defined path forward.
Additionally, the skills gained in this course can be applied across multiple work environments: nursing homes, assisted living, home healthcare, rehab centers, and hospitals.
Admissions Requirements
Hennepin Technical College does not have a long list of prerequisites, but students do need to demonstrate basic reading competency.
Admission requirements include:
- A qualifying score on the reading assessment test OR
- Completion of ENGL0901
This ensures students can understand written healthcare materials, safety procedures, and patient care instructions.
Instructor Support and Student Experience
Past students have shared positive experiences with the program, praising instructors like Murriel Kruggel for being knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about nursing education. The testimonials suggest the environment is structured, yet supportive, giving students the confidence to succeed not just in the course, but in the workplace.
The hybrid model, which mixes flexibility with in-person accountability, helps students ease into the expectations of healthcare roles without becoming overwhelmed.
Program Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Meets Minnesota’s 75-hour training requirement
- Includes online learning, in-person skills lab, and clinicals
- Prepares students for CNA certification and placement on the state registry
- Fulfills CNA requirement for HTC’s Practical Nursing program
- Taught by experienced healthcare professionals
- Offered at two campus locations with modern training facilities
- Daytime classes available during three terms annually
Cons:
- No mention of evening or weekend classes
- Full attendance required—limited flexibility for working adults
- No job placement services advertised
- Reading prerequisite may require some students to complete an additional course
- Course cost not clearly listed online—must contact school directly for tuition detail
Who Should Consider Hennepin Technical College
The Nursing Assistant program at Hennepin Technical College is best for students who want a structured, hybrid training experience that balances online learning with real-world practice. It’s especially useful for those eyeing a long-term nursing career, since it doubles as a required stepping stone into the college’s LPN program.
If you’re available for daytime classes and can commit to being present for clinicals and labs, this program is a strong choice. It doesn’t have a high barrier to entry, but still maintains professional standards through a rigorous curriculum and competent instruction. On the downside, it’s not ideal for someone needing evening or weekend classes or looking for immediate job placement help.
All in all, if you’re serious about becoming a CNA in Minnesota and want a program backed by state approval, qualified instructors, and a pathway to further healthcare education, Hennepin Tech’s Nursing Assistant program is worth considering.
| Category | Details |
| Cost: | Not listed online; contact school directly for tuition details |
| Duration & Clock Hours: | Approximately 6 weeks; includes lecture, lab, and 16 hours of clinical experience to meet 75-hour state requirement |
| Evening/Weekend Classes?: | Not mentioned; likely daytime only based on course description |
| Online Classes?: | Yes; hybrid format with online coursework and in-person labs/clinicals |
| Job Placement?: | No job placement services mentioned |
| Requirements: | – Qualifying score on reading assessment test OR– Completion of ENGL0901 |
| Address: | Brooklyn Park: 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 Eden Prairie: 13100 College View Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347 |
| Phone: | (952) 995-1300 |
| Website: | https://hennepintech.edu/academic-programs/healthcare/nursing-assistant.html |
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