Prime Time Medical Training, located in Blaine, Minnesota, offers a flexible and hands-on Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program approved by the Minnesota Department of Health. With multiple class formats, a commitment to student support, and a strong reputation built by a nurse-founded team, this school aims to meet the diverse needs of aspiring healthcare workers. Whether you’re entering healthcare for the first time or pivoting careers, Prime Time’s CNA program offers a well-rounded entry point into patient care.
Key Takeaways
- Tuition: $1,450 (course/lab fees included; uniform and background check not included)
- Length: 75 hours total; various formats including weekday, evening, weekend, and accelerated
- Format: Fully in-person or hybrid (online theory + in-person lab and clinical)
- Certification Prep: Prepares students for the Minnesota Nurse Aide competency exam (Headmaster)
- Flexibility: Several schedules and self-paced options make it suitable for working adults
- Financial Support: Offers payment plans, scholarships, and is WIOA/CareerForce eligible
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Program Structure and Options
At the heart of Prime Time’s offering is its 75-hour CNA training program, which complies with both federal OBRA standards and Minnesota Department of Health regulations. Students can choose between a Traditional Cohort Model or a more adaptable Flex Model, depending on their learning style and schedule.
Traditional CNA Cohort
The Traditional format is fully in-person, combining 59 hours of classroom and lab instruction with 16 hours of supervised clinical training. Clinicals are typically conducted in Prime Time’s simulation lab due to post-pandemic adjustments, but can also take place in partner long-term care facilities depending on current partnerships.
Schedules Available:
- Day Weekday – 4 weeks
- Evening Weekday – 7 weeks
- Weekend – 6 weekends
- Accelerated – 3-week intensive sessions offered quarterly
Flex Nursing Assistant Model
The Flex Model is designed for self-motivated learners who prefer to complete coursework at their own pace. Students complete 43 hours of online instruction followed by 32 hours of in-person lab work, which includes both hands-on skill training and supervised clinical simulation.
Students have up to 90 days to complete the in-person portion after starting the online modules. This option is ideal for those balancing work, childcare, or other commitments.
Course Content and Certification
No matter the format, the curriculum focuses on:
- Assisting with basic human needs
- Understanding the health/illness continuum
- Practicing basic nursing skills in simulated environments
- Following infection control protocols and patient safety procedures
- Communicating with residents and healthcare teams
- Preparing for the Minnesota Nurse Aide competency exam (offered by Headmaster)
Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the state exam. Certification is not issued directly by the school but through the third-party provider Headmaster, which administers both written and skills-based exams.
Admission Requirements
To join the CNA program, applicants must meet the following:
- Be 16 years or older (parent/guardian signature required if under 18)
- Provide negative TB test results
- Pass a DHS criminal background check (required for offsite clinicals)
- Submit current immunization records or valid exemptions
- Show English proficiency via the EFSET (score of 31-40) or an Adult Basic Education test, unless waived by the director
- Sign a Hepatitis B declination form or provide proof of vaccine
- Have a reliable internet connection and laptop (for Flex students)
Optional but recommended: Add Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to your registration at a discounted rate.
Tuition, Payment Plans, and Financial Help
Tuition is $1,450, which includes course and lab fees. However, students should factor in additional costs for scrubs, background checks, and potentially textbooks or immunizations.
To ease financial pressure, Prime Time offers:
- Two- or three-part payment plans (with small service fees)
- Denefits payment plans (custom installment options)
- Scholarships up to $500 through the LET Scholarship Fund (application required)
- Acceptance of third-party payment sources, including:
- WIOA grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- CareerForce and other local job training vouchers
It’s worth noting that Minnesota offers CNA tuition reimbursement for students who pay upfront and find employment at a long-term care facility within one year of passing their state exam. Save your receipts and submit them to your employer for a refund.
Class Locations and Schedule Flexibility
Currently, all in-person classes take place at Prime Time’s Blaine campus. However, the school is considering expansion to other locations in the near future.
Class schedules are extensive and flexible, with dozens of start dates for labs throughout the year. Whether you want to train during the week, in the evenings, or on weekends, there’s likely an upcoming cohort to match your availability.
Flex Skills Lab Schedules are published in advance, giving students the opportunity to select dates that align with their availability.
Extra Perks and Support Services
Prime Time Medical Training isn’t just about coursework—they also go the extra mile in supporting their students and alumni.
- Private group training options available for employers or organizations
- Referral rewards program – Earn a $50 Visa gift card for each successful student you refer (when available)
- Student Success Team – Offers guidance on navigating funding options and preparing for job placement
- Career networking support – While not a job placement agency, the school provides resources to help students transition into employment
About the School
Founded by a registered nurse who started as a CNA, Prime Time was born out of a deep understanding of the healthcare journey. The founder, now a doctoral-prepared Family Nurse Practitioner, brings a personal touch and a passion for training quality caregivers.
This background shines through in the school’s values:
- Diversity and inclusion
- Teamwork and integrity
- Encouragement and open-mindedness
- A focus on hands-on learning and mentorship
Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized attention, and an engaging learning environment.
Who Should Consider Prime Time Medical Training
Prime Time Medical Training is a solid fit for students seeking flexible CNA training with a personalized touch. If you’re looking for a school that’s nurse-led, offers multiple scheduling options (especially for working adults), and provides strong support around financial aid and exam prep, this program checks those boxes.
It’s especially ideal if you:
- Need hybrid learning options to balance work, family, or school
- Want to complete your training in as little as 3 weeks
- Prefer a non-corporate, community-rooted school environment
- Are eligible for WIOA or other job-training funding
- Appreciate hands-on skill-building with real support from instructors
That said, the program does not include the state exam in the tuition, and students must arrange testing with Headmaster. Also, clinicals are currently simulated rather than in nursing home settings, which may be a downside for those who want traditional clinical experience. Overall, Prime Time offers a thoughtful, student-centered path into the healthcare field with the flexibility that many adult learners need.
Category | Details |
Cost: | $1,450 (includes course/lab fees; uniform and background check extra) |
Duration & Clock Hours: | 75 hours total; varies by format (3 to 7 weeks depending on schedule) |
Evening/Weekend Classes?: | Yes; evening, weekend, and accelerated formats are available |
Online Classes?: | Yes; hybrid Flex model includes 43 hours of online learning |
Job Placement?: | No formal job placement, but resources and support are available |
Requirements: | Minimum age 16, background check, negative TB test, immunization records, English proficiency (via EFSET or interview) |
Address: | 12016 Ulysses St. NE, Blaine, MN 55434 |
Phone: | 952-563-9901 |
Email: | [email protected] |
Website: | https://primetimemedtraining.com |
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