CNA Classes & Programs in Brainerd, Minnesota
2 state-approved CNA programs in Brainerd, including free and online options. 4-week programs are offered in other Minnesota cities.
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CNA training in Brainerd
- Programs
- 2
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $41,940
- $20.17 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 26,910
- across Minnesota
- Healthcare facilities
- 4
- 2 nursing homes, 1 hospital and 1 home health agency
- Population
- 14,412
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
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What brings you here?
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Aspiring CNAs in Brainerd can choose from 2 CNA programs designed to help students gain essential caregiving skills and meet state requirements. Located in central Minnesota, Brainerd offers training options that support entry into the healthcare workforce through quality instruction focused on patient care and safety standards.
The city features both free CNA classes and online learning options—making it easier for individuals with different schedules or financial needs to pursue certification. Statewide in Minnesota, CNAs earn around $41,940 annually; this serves as a reference point since city-specific wage data is not available. Graduates often transition directly into jobs at local hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.
CNA programs in Brainerd emphasize practical training for Minnesota certification success while preparing students for immediate employment opportunities across diverse healthcare environments within the community.
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Browse CNA Classes in Brainerd
Students in Brainerd can choose from 2 CNA classes, including free training and online options, that qualify them for Minnesota CNA certification. These programs provide foundational knowledge as well as practical preparation for placement on the state registry, equipping graduates with skills needed to meet regional healthcare demand where certified nursing assistants are consistently sought by local employers.
Program Types in Brainerd
| Type | In Brainerd | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 1 program | Good Sam Bethany ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Brainerd | See other Minnesota cities → |
| Online or hybrid | 1 program | Good Sam Bethany ↓ |
| Evening or weekend | Not in Brainerd | See other Minnesota cities → |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
Both CNA programs in Brainerd
Lowest published cost first.
Good Sam Bethany
CostFreeHours–Weeks–
- Address
- 804 Wright Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (218) 829-1407
Sanford Health/Good Samaritan Society offers employer-paid CNA training with online coursework plus in-person skills at this location. Training, testing, and state registration costs are covered for hired trainees.
Visit websiteCentral Lakes College
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (800) 933-0346
Central Lakes College offers the NSGA 1110 Nursing Assistant course with classroom, lab and supervised clinicals at the Brainerd and Staples campuses.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Minnesota cities
- Minneapolis12 programs
- St. Paul15 programs
- Rochester5 programs
- Bloomington4 programs
- Duluth7 programs
- Brooklyn Park8 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Brainerd
| Median annual pay | $41,940 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $20.17 |
| CNA jobs across Minnesota | 26,910 |
| Salary region | Minnesota (statewide) |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Brainerd remain steady as healthcare providers in the area continue hiring trained nursing assistants to support patient care needs across multiple settings.
City-specific salary data is not available, so statewide information serves as the benchmark: CNAs in Minnesota earn around $41,940 per year or approximately $20.17 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023). These statewide figures provide the best available reference when considering compensation expectations locally.
Brainerd features several CMS-certified facilities employing CNAs. Notable examples include Good Samaritan Society - Woodland (a non-profit corporation nursing home with 40 beds), Good Samaritan Society - Bethany (79 beds), Essentia Health St Joseph's Medical Center (a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital rated highly by CMS), and Barnabas Health Care Serv, a proprietary home health agency offering both nursing care and home health aide services within the community.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Brainerd (2 facilities)
2 nursing homes in Brainerd providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Good Samaritan Society - Woodland100 Buffalo Hills Lane(218) 829-1429Map | 40 | 2.4 |
| Good Samaritan Society - Bethany804 Wright Street(218) 829-1407Map | 79 | 1.8 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Brainerd (1 facility)
1 hospital in Brainerd offering CNA employment opportunities. Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Essentia Health St Joseph'S Medical CenterAcute Care Hospitals · 523 North 3Rd Street(218) 829-2861Map | 5/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Brainerd (1 facility)
1 home health agency in Brainerd providing CNA career opportunities. Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Barnabas Health Care Serv521 Charles St. Ste 202(218) 485-4481Map | – |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond Brainerd? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Crosby, Wadena, Staples, Aitkin, and Pequot Lakes, or browse the Minnesota CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in Brainerd, MN
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Brainerd, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Minnesota. These include completing a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)–approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP), passing the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Competency Examination administered by D&SDT-Headmaster, and being listed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.
- At least 75 total hours of training, including a minimum of 16 hours of supervised practical training with a live person in a lab or clinical setting
- Completion of 16 hours of required instruction before any direct resident contact
- Passing both the knowledge test (70 questions, 74% to pass) and the skills evaluation (three or four randomly assigned skills, 30 minutes)
- Up to four attempts on the knowledge test and three attempts on the skills test, with both passed within a 24-month testing cycle before retraining is required
- Placement on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry maintained by MDH
Once listed on the registry, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, and other licensed healthcare settings throughout Brainerd and across Minnesota. To maintain active registry status, nursing assistants must complete at least 8 hours of paid nursing assistant work every 24 months.
Already certified in another state? Minnesota offers interstate endorsement for out-of-state nurse aides who are active and in good standing on another state's registry. To qualify without retesting, applicants must have completed at least 8 hours of paid nursing assistant work in that state during the preceding 24 months. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Minnesota guide.
For complete details on training, testing, renewal, and maintaining certification, see our full CNA License & Registration in Minnesota guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Brainerd.
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Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Brainerd
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Brainerd?
Most CNA programs in Brainerd can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule.
How much does CNA training cost in Brainerd?
Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Brainerd directly for their current costs. One program is free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Brainerd?
Yes. Good Sam Bethany offers free or employer-paid CNA training. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Brainerd?
Yes. Good Sam Bethany offers a hybrid option, with online coursework and in-person clinical training at local healthcare facilities.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Brainerd?
No 4-week program is listed in Brainerd. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other Minnesota cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Brainerd there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Crosby, Wadena, Staples, Aitkin and Pequot Lakes. You can also look at the Minnesota state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Minnesota CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Minnesota, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Minnesota CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Brainerd?
CNAs in Brainerd are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 2 nursing homes, 1 hospital and 1 home health agency in Brainerd. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.