LeadingAge Minnesota members, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), are helping expand nursing assistant testing opportunities throughout Minnesota by piloting in-facility testing in their settings.

Background

We have advocated for solutions to address the longstanding access issues and barriers to nursing assistant testing around the state. Beginning in May, we began working with MDH to pilot in-facility nursing assistant testing in nursing homes with certified nurse aide training programs.

Participants

Seven sites around the state were selected to participate in the pilot program, which we expected to last three months. The following settings serve as pilot sites (LeadingAge Minnesota members in bold):

• Cassia – Elim Wellspring Health Care Center in Princeton
• CentraCare Health – Melrose Care Center in Melrose
• Good Samaritan Society – Albert Lea in Albert Lea
• Good Samaritan Society – Pipestone in Pipestone
• LifeCare Roseau Manor in Roseau
• North Shore Health in Grand Marais
• Perham Living in Perham

Of the seven sites selected by MDH to participate in the pilot, five are LeadingAge MN members that use the OnTrack Nursing Assistant Curriculum.

Coming Soon – Testing for Your Nurse Aids

Currently, the sites are working on testing the students who have trained in their program. Over the next few weeks, the sites may be able to help test students outside of their programs in the surrounding area. If you are interested in connecting with one of the in-facility pilot testing sites, please contact LeadingAge MN's Director of Workforce Solutions, Anna Mowry.

Want More Information?

As COVID-19 waivers expire and the need for qualified caregivers continues to increase, LeadingAge MN is working with MDH to continue advocating for expanding nursing assistant testing opportunities for our members throughout Minnesota. If you are interested in exploring in-facility testing for your site's nurse aide training program, please contact Anna Mowry.

Thank You

Each pilot site has worked hard to make this program successful. Despite everything else going on in their settings, they have made the time to test this new model, which has the potential to reduce barriers and offer new opportunities for our Minnesota nurse aide workforce. We sincerely appreciate their commitment to the field.