CNA Training in Florida

Across the U.S., and especially in the southern states, there is a growing demand for qualified healthcare workers. As the population continues to age, more about more people will need medical assistance from nurses and CNAs. Florida is one of the states that has a growing health sector with increasing needs. Becoming a CNA is Florida is a way to quickly gain access into the medical field. As a CNA individuals will not only have a variety of jobs to choose from, but will also have many opportunities for advancement in healthcare. Training as a CNA in Florida is made easy by the large number of certification training programs that are available across the state.

The requirements for becoming a CNA in Florida are looser than in many other states. All CNA applicants must submit their personal information for a background check and fingerprinting. Individuals who feel confident in their medical knowledge and skills may challenge the state CNA examination without completing a training course. Preparing through a certified course is advisable though and most individuals choose to first complete a training class before attempting the exam.

CNA Programs in Florida typically consist of a minimum of 120 hours. The training is made up of classroom instruction as well as clinical rotations in healthcare facilities. This training prepares individuals for both parts of the state examination: the written portion and the practical portion. The written part consists of multiple choice questions that test general medical knowledge and basic reading comprehension. The practical portion of the examination requires test takers to demonstrate randomly selected medical skills for an examiner.

After an individual passes both parts of the exam they then receive a license certifying that they are a CNA. Their name is also added to the Florida Nursing Assistant Registry. After an individual gets a job as a CNA they are sometimes eligible to be reimbursed for any costs they spent on a training course or on the state examination.

Some of the CNA Certification training programs in Florida are listed below:

First Coast Technical Community College in Palatka, Florida offers a Patient Care Assisting Program that covers Nursing Assistants. The program is six weeks long and includes 165 hours of instruction and training. It takes place during days and evenings.

Southwestern Vocational Training College in Naples, Florida offers different options for CNA preparation classes that are either three weeks or five weeks long. In the classes students learn the function and purpose of long-term care facilities, how to communicate effectively with patients, infection control, and how to care for patient needs, among other skills. There is financial aid available for the costs involved with the course.

South Florida Community College in Avon Park, Florida offers a Nurse Assistant course that prepares individuals for taking the CNA certification exam. The course is six credit hours which are made up of 180 total hours of training. An emphasis is placed on providing patient care to all age groups. The class takes place during weekdays but some weekends are used for clinical rotations.

Taylor College in Belleview, Florida offers a Nursing Assistant Career Preparation Course that is designed to prepare students for taking the CNA certification exam. The course is made up of 40 total hours of training and it focuses on preparing students for both the written portions of the exam and teaching the skills required for the clinical portion.