Mid-State CNA Program

The Nursing Assistant program at Mid-State Technical College provides a direct pathway to start your healthcare career in Wisconsin Rapids, Adams, Marshfield, or Stevens Point, Wisconsin. This hands-on program prepares you to become an essential caregiver in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care settings. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking for your first step into healthcare or a career-changer seeking meaningful work with job security, this 81-hour program delivers the skills and confidence you need to make a difference in patients’ lives while preparing you for state certification.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: 81 hours total (including 27 hours of clinical practicum)
• Cost of Program: $1,079.41 total estimated cost (2024/2025 academic year)
  • Tuition & Fees: $513.66
  • Books: $76.25
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $489.50
• Accreditation: Recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a nurse-aide training program and competency evaluation program
• CNA Program Schedule: Multiple options available including:
  • Daytime or evening classes
  • Part-time format
  • 8-week or 16-week classes
  • Hybrid/blended learning

CNA Training Structure

Classroom Learning

The Nursing Assistant program at Mid-State Technical College provides comprehensive classroom instruction covering essential nursing assistant skills. During your training, you’ll learn communication techniques, basic nursing skills, medical terminology, infection control, and patient care fundamentals. The program emphasizes both personal care and emotional support of patients as primary considerations throughout your training.

Clinical Experience

The program includes a 27-hour clinical practicum where you’ll work directly with patients and residents under supervision. This hands-on experience takes place in healthcare facilities partnered with Mid-State, including nursing homes and care centers. The clinical component gives you valuable real-world practice applying the skills you’ve learned in the classroom while working with actual patients.

Exam Preparation

Mid-State’s program prepares you to take the Wisconsin Nursing Assistant competency evaluation upon completion of the course. The program is designed to cover all required content for certification, and skills labs ensure you have ample opportunity to practice under the supervision of experienced professionals before your certification exam.

Admission Requirements

To apply to the Nursing Assistant program at Mid-State Technical College, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Have a high school GPA of 2.0 or better (as a high school junior or above)
• Complete a Background Information Disclosure (BID) form and submit a $15 Caregiver Background check (required by Wisconsin Caregiver Law)
• Complete an online information session and accompanying quiz after being accepted to the program

Prior to clinical placement, you will need to:

• Submit evidence of completed health work
• Obtain the required uniform for clinical experiences
• Accept responsibility for clinical assignments regardless of time and location, including transportation

Please contact the program directly for the most up-to-date admission requirements.

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

Mid-State Technical College offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate diverse student needs. Classes are available in multiple formats:

• Daytime or evening sessions
• Part-time scheduling options
• 8-week or 16-week course lengths
• Hybrid/blended learning format

Classes are offered at all four Mid-State campuses: Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids. Multiple start dates are available throughout the year, including Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

For Summer 2025, classes begin as early as June 2 in Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, and Marshfield, with various scheduling options available. Fall 2025 classes start in late August or early September at all campuses, with both day and evening options.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

The total estimated cost for the Nursing Assistant program at Mid-State Technical College is $1,079.41 for the 2024/25 academic year. This breaks down as:

• Tuition & Fees: $513.66
• Books: $76.25
• Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $489.50

Please note that this program is NOT eligible for Financial Aid. However, Mid-State encourages students to explore other ways to help pay for college. The program does offer options for credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience, which may help reduce costs.

For the most current tuition information, please visit mstc.edu/programcosts.

How to Apply

To apply to Mid-State’s Nursing Assistant program, follow these steps:

1. Submit a Mid-State application at mstc.edu/apply and select Nursing Assistant as your program choice
2. Provide documentation of your high school transcript with a posted cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, or complete one of these alternatives:
   • Submit ACT scores (if taken within the last 5 years)
   • Complete the TABE Assessment for math, reading, and language
   • Complete a full Accuplacer Assessment
3. Once you’ve submitted your application and transcript/test scores, schedule to attend a Nursing Assistant New Student Advising and Orientation Session.

New Student Orientation Dates for 2025 include:

• May 7 – Wisconsin Rapids Campus
• May 15 – Adams Campus
• June 3 – Wisconsin Rapids Campus
• June 10 – Adams Campus

Note that enrollment is limited to 10 students per course, so registration is not guaranteed. If you can’t find a date that works for you, reach out to Admissions Specialist Leah Van Ert at 715.422.5424.

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution name: Mid-State Technical College
• Addresses:
  • Adams Campus: 401 North Main Street, Adams, WI 53910 (608.339.3379)
  • Marshfield Campus: 2600 West 5th Street, Marshfield, WI 54449 (715.387.2538)
  • Stevens Point Downtown Campus: 1001 Centerpoint Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715.344.3063)
  • Wisconsin Rapids Campus: 500 32nd Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 (715.422.5300)
• Phone Number: 888.575.6782 (TTY: 711)
• Website: mstc.edu

Academic Advisors:

• Shawn Zee: Academic Advisor (Adams, Marshfield, or Wisconsin Rapids) – 715.422.5653
• Yer Lee: Academic Advisor (Stevens Point) – 715.342.3127

Additional Resources

• Program Guide: Available at mstc.edu/sites/default/files/2020-03/Nursing-Assistant-Program-Information-Guide.pdf
• Background Information Disclosure (BID) form: Available at mstc.edu/sites/default/files/2019-01/BIDform.pdf
• Out of State Criminal Background Check Instructions: Available at mstc.edu/sites/default/files/2023-03/Viewpoint-Intructions.pdf
• Technical Standards Document: Details the essential skills and abilities needed for the program, available at mstc.edu/sites/default/files/TS/Nursing-Assistant-Technical-Standards.pdf

Summary and Next Steps

Mid-State Technical College’s Nursing Assistant program offers a direct pathway to a rewarding healthcare career with hands-on training that employers value. In just 81 hours, you’ll gain the skills to provide compassionate care while opening doors to further opportunities in the healthcare field. The program’s flexible scheduling and multiple campus locations make it accessible whether you’re a recent graduate or changing careers.

Before you decide, make sure you’re choosing the right CNA program for your goals.
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