News

Staffing Standards Update: Understanding CMS’ New Rule

On April 23, 2024 by Mark Schulz

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a rule to establish minimum staffing ratios in nursing settings, a decision that has stirred significant concern within our provider community.

Two-hour Time Limit Continues for Nurse Aide Knowledge Test

On February 22, 2024 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that the knowledge test for the nurse aide exam will continue to have a two-hour completion time limit to support candidates with diverse backgrounds and learning styles.

OnTrack Milestone – 2,000 Nursing Assistants Trained in 2023

On January 11, 2024 by Anna Mowry

In 2023, OnTrack programs enrolled over 2,000 nursing assistants in Minnesota—a new milestone. Since its launch in 2018, over 7,000 nursing assistants have been registered with OnTrack, helping care for seniors in long-term care settings across the state.

It’s Time to Transition Your Temporary Nurse Aides

On July 27, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Temporary nurse aides hired or who worked under the 1135 waiver have until Sept. 11 to be added to the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry. LeadingAge Minnesota is here to help providers with this transition process.

Apply Now to Become an In-Facility Test Site for your Nurse Aide Candidates

On July 20, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Until July 31, eligible providers with nurse aide training programs can apply to become a test site for nurse aide candidates.

Become an In-Facility Test Site for your Nurse Aide Candidates

On July 6, 2023 by Anna Mowry

After a successful pilot program, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is expanding in-facility testing to add additional nurse aide test sites around the state.

Celebrate CNA Week, June 15 – 21

On June 15, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Today marks the start of CNA Week, an annual celebration of the vital work of nursing assistants. Since 1977, the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) has observed CNA Week yearly.

Higher Education Bonding Bill Invests in Minnesota’s Future Workforce

On May 18, 2023 by Kayla Khang

The Higher Education Omnibus bill (HF 2073) has now passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting a signature from the Governor. The measure will include a one-time investment of $3 Million for the Next Generation Nursing Assistant (NextGen) training program over the 2024-2025 biennium.

OnTrack Pass Rates Continue to Exceed the State Average

On April 20, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Statewide nurse aide test pass rates are rising, but OnTrack nursing assistant students continue to exceed these averages.

Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Pass Rates are on the Rise

On April 13, 2023 by Anna Mowry

New data shows that statewide nurse aide knowledge test pass rates have increased by over 8% in the first quarter of 2023. This means more nursing assistants have been successfully certified and placed on the registry.

Need to Certify Temporary Nurse Aides? OnTrack Can Help

On March 16, 2023 by Anna Mowry

Temporary nurse aides who worked under the 1135 CMS waiver have until Aug. 5 to be placed on the Nursing Assistant Registry. OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training is here to help providers with this transition process.

Gov. Walz Releases Proposed Workforce Budget; Implications for Long-Term Care

On January 19, 2023 by Erin Huppert

This morning, Governor Tim Walz released a preview of his proposed budget addressing Minnesota's workforce challenges. This preview covers a variety of sectors and includes some investments benefitting aging services.

OnTrack Hits Milestone – 5,000 Nursing Assistants

On January 5, 2023 by Anna Mowry

As OnTrack ended its most successful year, it reached a new milestone. Over 5,000 students have been registered with OnTrack since its launch in 2018. 

OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training: A Year in Review

On December 22, 2022 by Anna Mowry

This year, OnTrack had its best year yet, training over 1,800 nursing assistants in member settings around the state.

Updated Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Begins Jan. 2, 2023

On December 8, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Beginning Jan. 2, 2023, there will be an updated Minnesota Nurse Aide Knowledge Test with improved test questions.

NextGeneration Nursing Assistant Program: How Employers Can Engage with NextGen Students

On December 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. to learn about the NextGeneration Nursing Assistant (NGNA) program and how your organization can connect with NextGen students. This webinar is for employers who want to learn more about the following:

Grow Your Workforce with OnTrack

On September 28, 2022 by Anna Mowry

September is National Workforce Development Month, and one of the most proven member resources to grow your workforce is OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training.

Reminder: Keep Transitioning Temporary Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver have until Oct. 6 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

MDH Requests a Statewide Waiver to Extend the Temporary Nurse Aide Program

On September 1, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has requested a statewide waiver to extend the temporary nurse aide training program that is currently set to expire on Oct. 6.

MDH Provides Flexibility and Clarification for Nurse Aides Working Under the 1135 Waiver

On June 2, 2022 by Anna Mowry

On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will terminate the COVID-19 waiver that has allowed nurse aides to serve seniors without being on the Nursing Assistant Registry. Nurse aides hired or worked during the waiver have until Oct. 7 to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

On a monthly Nurse Assistant call, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) had previously communicated near-term deadlines for those working under the 1135 Waiver. With the termination of the waiver quickly approaching, we advocated strongly for flexibility and further clarity on the action required for those working under the waiver to ensure nurse aides can continue providing services for seniors throughout the state.

MDH has provided helpful clarification on the three different pathways to transition caregivers who have been working under the 1135 Waiver.

Three Pathways

Pathway 1: Enroll in a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) and complete the training program and pass the exam by Oct. 7.

Pathway 2: Enroll in a NATCEP training program, but take advantage of the transition pathway developed by MDH, allowing facilities to credit training received while working in a long-term care facility under the waiver towards the required 75-hours of training. Individuals taking this route must still enroll in a NATCEP program to ensure training requirements are met and assist in completing any additional training needs. The training and testing must be completed and passed by Oct. 7.

Pathway 3: Choose not to enroll in a NATCEP program, but challenge and pass the test before Oct. 7. The nurse aide will have three attempts to successfully pass the knowledge and skills exams. If they do not pass the test by Oct. 7, they cannot work as a nurse aide until completion of a NATCEP program.

Please refer to the updated MDH document Placement on Minnesota’s Nurse Aide Registry for Nurse Aides Working during the 1135 Waiver for more information on these pathways.

We will continue to work closely with our partners at MDH and Minnesota State Colleges to discuss strategies to ensure all caregivers working under the 1135 Waiver are successfully trained, tested, and transitioned to be on the registry by Oct. 6.

If you have questions or need assistance with this process, please reach out to Anna Mowry, Director of Workforce Solutions at LeadingAge Minnesota.