Need Help! Testing out of CNA Course in MN?

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Hey guys,

Does anyone know if it's possible to just take the CNA Exam without completing the course? I've heard that it's possible to do at a Tech college, but I don't know if it would be a good idea. I feel like if I bought the book and tried to learn the info by myself, that I wouldn't retain it very well.

Would you pay the extra $800 to take the course when you don't have to?? Help please! :(

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Specializes in LTC, Other.

I have not heard of being able to take the test without the course but if you could I am not sure I would unless of course you have worked in the health care field as a pca (then you would have most of the skills) I agree that I probably wouldnt pay for a course I didnt need. Are you going for your RN or LPN because I had heard that Pine tech in pine city was going to do away with the CNA requirement. best of luck

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Thanks bremus.. I decided to take the course. I want to learn everything I can, and I feel like I'd miss out if I skipped it.

Oh and I'm going for an accelerated RN program. You just need to have your license for a pre-requisite, but I still want to take it.

Thanks again :)

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If it makes you feel any better, I actually took CNA training 4 years ago, and have to now re-take either the test or the course and the test. I could test-out, but I feel so rusty on those skills that I think I’m just going to re-take the training class, too.

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Wow.. That's a lot of time and $$! Do you have to retake the exam if you're not a CNA for an extended amount of time? Hang in there. :)

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Yeah, you have to work at least 8 hours within 2 years to keep your certification current. It seems easy, but for a lot of reasons, just wasn't possible for me.

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I just tested out without taking the class! It was like $125 bucks to do it. Pearson Vue was the company. You can download the skills book free on their website.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, Community/ Public Health.

kirchnerfamily:

Where did you take your test out?

I was planning on testing out this summer. I also didn't want to spend the money on a class.

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Hi All,

I also tested out of the course. I was able to do it at MCTC, and it was really easy! If you are looking for jobs, most want you to have the class. I just needed my certification for accelerated nursing programs. I was just accepted to the Accelerated BSN program at Mankato!

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hi there, i see that this may be late in the reply, but want to make sure you have the correct info. pearson vue is not correct. this information comes direct from the mn dept of health's website.

a person who can prove completion of a nursing assistant training and competency evaluation program or competency evaluation program approved by minnesota but is not yet on the registry. persons may provide the fax back score report which indicate the individual passed both parts of the test. it may take up to 4 weeks to get placed on the registry. the facility cannot assume the nursing assistant will get on the registry based on the fax back score report. the facility must verify placement on the registry. persons opting to challenge the test without having taken an approved nursing assistant training program may not work as a nursing assistant until they have passed both the written and skills portion of the test. they do not have 4 months to get on the registry if they challenge the test without completing a nursing assistant training course.

this comes direct from person vues's candidate handbook.

test-out candidate

(applies to nursing assistant candidates only)

you are a candidate who does not meet any of the

three (3) eligibility routes listed above. examples

are: 1) if you trained in another country; 2) if you

have not taken a nursing assistant training program;

3) if you have not worked as a nursing assistant in

the last two (2) years; 4) if you are from another state

and do not qualify for reciprocity in minnesota; or

5) if you are a student nurse or graduate nurse candidate.

for these candidates, the training program

code for the application is 77777.

you are able to test without taking a class. hennepin county tech has several written and skills test scheduled throught the year and they do not charge the additoinal "grading fee" pearson says they will. flat fee for first time test is $122.00

thanks

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That is what I said. And Pearson vue is correct!!! I took it at inver and I was on the registry within a week after taking the test. I have the exact same license as other CNAs.

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Hey there,

I am looking to test out of Nursing Assistant classes. I went to the Pearson Vue website and am very confused as to who is able to test out. How did you go about it? I really just don't understand the steps or who is eligable for it? Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

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