Description:
There are two parts to the Minnesota Nurse Aide Competency Exam, the knowledge test (online) and the skills test (in-person). Candidates must pass both tests in order to receive the certificate and to be listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry. The tests do not have to be taken in a set order, however you must complete both tests within two years of your first test date.
Skills Test
The skills test is IN-PERSON at the campus hosting the test event. The purpose of the skills test is to evaluate your performance when demonstrating MDH-approved nurse aide skill tasks. Candidates demonstrate up to four (4) randomly selected nurse aide skill tasks for an RN Test Observer. You will have a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to complete these tasks with a live actor or manikin, as specified by the skill. Please review the Minnesota Mock Skills on Headmaster’s website for an updated list of the skills currently tested. The complete list of skill tasks is listed in the Minnesota Candidate Handbook.
Be sure you understand all instructions you read while in the waiting area before you begin your skill task demonstrations. You may not ask and the RN TO may not answer questions once the skill test timer begins. The RN TO will read the scenario to you immediately before you are asked to do each task. Listen carefully to all scenario instructions. You may request to have any of the scenarios repeated at any time during your skill test up until you run out of time or tell the RN To that you are finished with your skill task demonstrations.
You must correctly perform all of the key steps (in bold font) and 80% of all non-key steps on each task assigned in order to pass the skill test. If you believe you made a mistake while performing a task, tell the RN TO you would like to make a correction. You will need to correctly demonstrate the step or steps on the task you believe you performed incorrectly in order to be eligible to receive credit for the correction.
Preparing for the skills test:
ADA accommodation requests must be submitted with required documentation and approved at least 14 days advance of your test date. Refer to the Candidate Handbook for ADA information.
Watch free NA Skill videos at http://www.healthforceminnesota.org/students/students-nursing-assistant-skills-skill-videos.html If you are asked to log in, enter Nursing as both the user name and password. N is capitalized in both.
These study aids are available to prepare:
You have three (3) attempts to pass the skill test portion of the exam within 24 months from your date of nurse aide training program completion. If you do not complete testing within 24 months from completion of training, you must complete a new Minnesota Department of Health approved training program in order to become eligible to further attempt Minnesota NA examinations.
Times scheduled are the actual testing time. Candidates must arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the exam time to check-in with the RN Test Observer (RN TO) and confirm your ID and testing attire. Plan some wait time. Multiple test times are scheduled to break up the wait time for candidates. Plan to be at the test site for 1 – 3 hours from the scheduled start time. Late arrivals will be considered no-shows, will not be allowed to test and will not receive a refund. Walk-in registrations are not accepted.
Refund Policy - If you need to cancel or reschedule your exam, you must email WDS@northlandcollege.edu a minimum of 3 business days prior to the exam date. Late requests may not be accepted. “No-shows” will not receive a refund. If you fail to appear or have the correct documents or internet connection and devices, you or your company will be responsible for full payment regardless.
Cancelation Policy - While we regret having to do so, it is sometimes necessary to cancel exams with insufficient enrollment or last-minute emergencies. If your exam is canceled, we will notify you and a refund will be processed. Please include your permanent cell and work numbers as well as an e-mail address at the time of registration.
Bring to Class:
Test Observer:
Susan Brummund, RN
** Please note candidates are not to register for a session with a Test Observer who was involved in their training. Please contact WDS@northlandcollege.edu to confirm eligibility.
Location:
Northland Community & Technical College – East Grand Forks Campus
2022 Central Ave NE
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Please park in the north lot to enter at door E
Classroom 346 - Waiting Area
**To reduce wait time, please watch for an email noting a specific test start time within this test event.
EGF Campus Location
Preparing for the in-person skills test:
If you are a Challenge candidate, you must complete form 1101 and email it to WDS@northlandcollege.edu immediately after completing your test registration and payment. Failure to do so will result in your test registration being canceled.
Candidates must have:
- You must BRING ONE FORM OF IDENTIFICATION that meets the following MANDATORY requirements: US GOVERNMENT ISSUED, NON-EXPIRED, SIGNED, PHOTO-BEARING ID. Examples are*
-
- State Identification Card
- US Passport
- Work Authorization Card
- Alien Registration Card
- Military or Tribal IDs (that meet all requirements).
- *EXCEPTION: If you do not have a current, official US government issued identification form, then you must bring TWO (2) forms of CURRENT (not expired) Official, Signature Bearing identification with matching names on both ID's. One of the two forms must be PHOTO-BEARING (photo copies will not be accepted). Examples of proper identification, with matching names, include CURRENT ( non-expired):
- School ID card with Photograph
- signed Voter Registration Card
- signed Credit/Debit (Bank) Card
- signed Social Security Card
- First and Last Name on ID MUST MATCH TMU EXACTLY.
- TESTING ATTIRE: Full scrubs and closed-toed shoes. Please refer to the Candidate Handbook on the Minnesota webpage at www.hdmaster.com for a list of other testing attire requirements regarding fingernails, jewelry, tattoos, piercings, etc.
- ELECTRONIC DEVICES: any electronic device of any type is not allowed to be on or near you in the skill testing room. Examples: cell phones, smart watches, activity trackers, tablets, etc. You may bring a basic watch with a second hand.
- IF YOU ARE LATE, DO NOT BRING REQUIRED MANDATORY ID, OR YOU ARE NOT IN MANDATORY TESTING ATTIRE (refer to the Candidate Handbook) YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TEST AND YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO-SHOW". No shows forfeit their testing fees and must repay to reapply for another test date.
- IF YOU NEED TO RESCHEDULE YOUR TEST DATE, YOU MUST RESCHEDULE AT LEAST 3 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR TEST DATE by emailing Kristianne Boroski at WDS@northlandcollege.edu.
The testing site and testing teams are not responsible for your personal belongings.
Instructor:
Susan Brummund
Registration Cutoff Date:
1/1/2025
Dates & Times:
1/2/2025 9:00AM - 12:00PM
