Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs in Minneapolis, MN
Certified nursing assistants in Minneapolis are among the most sought-after workers in Twin Cities health care, with a 13.7% vacancy rate and a metro median near $23.67 an hour. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get on the state registry.
Current certified nursing assistant Openings in Minneapolis, MN
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Certified Nursing Assistant Work in Minneapolis
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro employs about 14,590 nursing assistants, and the state's Job Vacancy Survey puts the Twin Cities vacancy rate for the role at 13.7%, one of the highest of any health care job. Demand runs from the downtown trauma center at HCMC to the long-term care and transitional care units scattered across Northeast, South Minneapolis and the first-ring suburbs, plus the two veterans campuses near Fort Snelling on the Blue Line.
What sets Minneapolis apart is the floor under pay. The city minimum wage is $16.37 an hour for every employer, well above Minnesota's $11.41, and local senior care operators now post CNA starting rates several dollars above that. Many facilities hire around the clock on 6:30, 2:30 and 10:30 shift starts, so evening and overnight work is easy to find.
Top Minneapolis Employers Hiring Certified Nursing Assistants
Nursing assistants are hired by the hospital system, the veterans campuses and the senior care operators across the metro:
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System - the VA Medical Center at One Veterans Drive hires nursing assistants for primary care, specialty care and its rehabilitation and extended care units.
- Minnesota Veterans Home - Minneapolis - the state-run home in the Minnehaha area hires CNAs as Human Services Technicians and advertises immediate hiring and a new-hire bonus.
- Catholic Eldercare - the Northeast Minneapolis long-term care and skilled nursing campus staffs CNAs on day, evening and overnight shifts.
- Hennepin Healthcare - the safety-net system behind HCMC downtown recruits nursing assistants through its own nursing assistant careers page.
- Presbyterian Homes & Services - the senior living operator hires full-time, part-time and assisted living nursing assistants at Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington.
Certified Nursing Assistant Salaries in Minneapolis
- Entry level: about $19 to $22 an hour for newly registered CNAs in senior living and assisted living.
- Experienced: roughly $22 to $26 an hour in skilled nursing, transitional care and hospital units.
- Senior: $26 to $30 an hour or more for long-tenured CNAs, night shifts and federal grades at the VA.
These are estimates built from state wage data and local postings. Recent Minneapolis-area postings have listed $20.44 to $23.66 at Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington and $21.50 to $26 at Catholic Eldercare, while the VA pays nursing assistants $39,985 to $65,284 a year on the federal GS scale. Shift differentials, weekend pay and years on the registry move pay the most.
How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Minneapolis
Minnesota requires nursing assistants in nursing homes and other certified facilities to complete a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, then pass the knowledge and skills exams to be listed on the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry. Minneapolis College offers an MDH-approved Nursing Assistant Certificate at its 1501 Hennepin Ave campus in Loring Park, and Hennepin Technical College runs a state-approved course at its Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie campuses. A nursing home can hire you while you are enrolled in an approved course, but you must finish and be on the registry within four months.
What the Job Involves
Nursing assistants handle the hands-on daily care that keeps patients and residents safe and comfortable. Typical tasks include helping with bathing, dressing, toileting and meals, turning and transferring patients, taking vital signs, recording intake and output, answering call lights, and reporting changes in condition to the nurse in charge. In hospitals the work leans toward mobility, vitals and monitoring; in long-term care it leans toward personal care and building routines with the same residents every shift.
Skills Employers Look For
- Active listing on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
- Safe patient handling, lifts and transfers
- Accurate vital signs and charting
- Patience and clear communication with older adults and families
- Reliability across evening, overnight and weekend shifts
- Infection control and attention to changes in condition
Career Path and Advancement
In Minneapolis the CNA job is the most common first step into nursing. Many assistants work while they take prerequisites, then move into the practical nursing diploma at Hennepin Technical College or an associate nursing degree at Minneapolis College, which offers advanced standing for LPNs. Hospital employers such as Hennepin Healthcare and the VA also use nursing assistants as a pipeline into patient care technician, LPN and RN roles, and senior care operators promote experienced CNAs to lead and trainer positions.
Related Careers in Minneapolis
If nursing assistant work interests you, these related Minneapolis roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a CNA in Minneapolis?
Minnesota does not issue a CNA license, but nursing homes and certified facilities must hire assistants who are listed on the Minnesota Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry. You get on the registry by finishing a state-approved course of at least 75 hours and passing the knowledge and skills exams.
How much do CNAs make in Minneapolis?
The metro median for nursing assistants is about $23.67 an hour. Recent local postings start around $20 to $22 in senior living, run up to $26 in skilled nursing, and VA nursing assistant jobs pay $39,985 to $65,284 a year.
How long does CNA training take in Minneapolis?
State-approved courses must run at least 75 hours, so most students finish in a few weeks to one semester. Minneapolis College and Hennepin Technical College both offer approved nursing assistant courses, and the registry exams follow soon after.
Can I work as a nursing assistant while I am still in training?
Yes, in some settings. A Minnesota nursing home may hire someone who is enrolled in an approved course, as long as they complete it and are listed on the registry within four months. Staffing agencies, however, can only place assistants who are already on the registry.
What shifts do CNAs work in Minneapolis?
Hospitals and nursing homes staff around the clock, typically on day, evening and overnight shifts that start around 6:30, 2:30 and 10:30. Evening, night and weekend shifts usually carry a differential, and part-time and on-call schedules are common for students.
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