Invest in Your Future Workforce – Support High School Students with Nurse Aide Testing

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Anna Mowry

The Next Generation Nursing Assistant training program, “NextGen”, ends May 1st, leaving many high schools students unable to afford their state Nurse Aide exams. Now is a perfect time for employers to get involved and support our future workforce.

Background

Over the past years, Minnesota State campuses have hosted several rounds of “barrier-free” nursing assistant training and free testing across the state – Next Generation Nursing Assistant – Train. Test. Work.

The “NextGen” program is now coming to an end on May 1^st and there are several high school students who have completed the nursing assistant training that are eager to take their final exams to be added to the registry. However, with funding coming to an end, many highschoolers are left unable to afford the upfront cost of the nursing aide state exams.

How Employers Can Help & Get Involved

Employers who build strong partnerships with high school programs see long-term hiring success. If you are willing to support high school students in paying for those up-front costs, reach out and get involved with NextGen! Investing in students now means more trained, job-ready candidates for your team. Now is the time to:

• Connect with Nursing Assistant programs to meet future hires.
• Consider covering testing costs before hiring as a pre-hire investment.
• Let the NextGen program know if you are open to supporting students—we can connect you with local high school programs or add you to a list of employers willing to sponsor testing.

To be added to the employer list to learn more and get connected with NextGen hires, contact Elaine Vandenburgh at Minnesota State HealthForce Center of Excellence.