Home E-mail this page

MeritCare Nursing Assistant Q & A Factsheet

MeritCare Nursing Assistant Q & A Factsheet

  1. Does MeritCare offer CNA training?

    MeritCare does not offer Certified Nursing Assistant courses as there are a number of programs offered throughout the states of North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.

  2. Are you interested in Nursing Assistant job openings at MeritCare?

    You can review nursing assistant position availability online at MeritCare.com/Jobs.

  3. Do I have to be certified to work as a MeritCare NA?

    Rehabilitation and Transistional Care are the only departments that are required to hire Certified Nursing Assistants. (If you are interested in working with Home Health, they prefer you meet the registry requirements of a Home Health Aide.) You need not be certified to work in other nursing units in the MeritCare Health System.

  4. Who certifies nursing assistants?

    The State Department of Health certifies nursing assistants after you finish a training program and pass a certification exam.

  5. What are the requirements to qualify for the certification exam?

    You must successfully complete a State Department of Health approved training program, with a minimum of 75 hours of training which includes a minimum of 16 hours supervised practical hands-on experience as well as an approved competency evaluation.

  6. What if I have certification in other states?

    You can contact the State Department of Health to verify your certification in another state to obtain another certification in the other state.

  7. What do I need to do if I am not certified?

    You must complete a Registry Application available through the Board of Nursing. If you are hired at MeritCare as a Nursing Assistant, the Registry Application will be given to you to complete. It requires a $15 fee and the signature of your supervisor verifying that you are competent to be registered as unlicensed assistive personnel.

  8. What training programs are available in Fargo?

    Fargo Adult Learning Center-315 North University Dr. (701) 446-2806
    Skills & Technology Training Center-1305 19th Ave. (701) 231-6900
    Elim Care Center-3534 University Dr. S. (701) 271-1800

  9. What training programs are available in Moorhead?

    Eventide Lutheran Home-1405 South 7th St (218) 233-7508
    MSCTC, Custom Training-1900 28th Ave. S (218) 477-4452

  10. Will MeritCare cover any of the cost for training?

    MeritCare does not cover the cost of training, as it is not a requirement to be certified to work as a Nursing Assistant. Tuition assistance is only available for courses at the undergraduate or graduate level that are health-care related, leading up to a degree in a health related field, or directly related to the employee's position after 12 month employment with manager approval.

  11. Fargo CNA Programs Information:


    Fargo Adult Learning Center
    Offered every month year round
    3 week long sessions
    Days Monday-Thursday 0830-1530
    Evenings Monday-Friday 1700-2200
    Bethany Homes clinical experience last week of training
    Certification exam following the Tuesday after the last class
    Cost = $300 tuition $110 state testing fee = total $410
    Enrollment limited to 10-12 students/class

    Skills & Technology Training Center
    Offered every other month
    14 class sessions (may go longer if closures due to weather occur)
    Evenings Monday/Wednesday/Thursday 1700-2200
    16 hours of clinical as required by the State of ND
    Clinical experience Thursday evening/Friday Evening/Saturday Day
    At Rosewood on Broadway or Villa Maria after last day of classroom training
    Certification exam offered Monday or Tuesday after clinical experience
    Cost = $450 tuition $110 state testing fee = total $560
    Enrollment limited to 16-17 students/class

    Elim Rehab & Care Center
    Offered sporadically
    Based on need to renew licensure to train and need for staff
    Usually once a year
    Advertised in the Forum
    Three week long program
    Total Cost for classes $150
    Certification exam fee $110
    Clinical experiences at Elim
    Enrollment based on staffing need at Elim
    Offered positions at Elim with probation period upon course completion

  12. Moorhead CNA Training Program Information:

    Elim Rehab & Care Center
    Requires completion of an employee application and acceptance into the CNA Class.
    Upon acceptance/hire student is paid while attending the 75 hour 3 week course with no fee for the class. With successful completion of the course there is a commitment of 6 months of CNA work with Eventide.

    MSCTC
    www.cts.minnesota.edu/training/allied.health.html
    Call the Custom Training Services at (218) 477-4452 for more information on the Career Entry Level Training & Services in Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide/Nursing Assistant & Home Health Aide Competency Testing. Enrollment is limited based on space available after preference given to LPN students in the MSCTC program.

  13. Other contact options:



  14. Who can answer other Health Care Career questions?

    You can contact Trish Strom, Coordinator of Student Experiences, MeritCare Health System at (701) 280-4828

© 2008 MeritCare Health System, P.O. Box MC, Fargo, ND 58122