Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 23, 2025
Florida depends on Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who offer basic care assistance to patients under the supervision of nurses. As healthcare professionals CNAs execute patient care responsibilities that include bathing and dressing patients along with feeding them while monitoring their vital signs to maintain patient comfort and safety in different healthcare settings.
Miami, FL - Private 2-year - fvi.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
FVI School of Nursing and Technology offers an intensive Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide program designed to rapidly launch healthcare careers. Over a concise 9-week curriculum, students develop comprehensive patient care skills through hands-on training and a robust 40-hour clinical practicum. The program uniquely provides bilingual instruction and flexible scheduling with day, evening, and weekend classes. Participants gain critical competencies in patient assistance, vital sign monitoring, and emotional support techniques. With multiple program highlights including job placement assistance and exam preparation, graduates are strategically positioned to enter the dynamic healthcare workforce with confidence and practical expertise.
Clearwater, FL - Private 2-year - ultimatemedical.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Ultimate Medical Academy's Nursing Assistant program offers an accelerated pathway to healthcare careers, strategically designed for rapid professional entry. Students complete a comprehensive two-month diploma program featuring innovative blended learning techniques that integrate online coursework with intensive hands-on training. The curriculum's signature 45-hour supervised externship provides real-world clinical exposure, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepared for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification exam. With maximum classroom sizes of 25 students, learners receive personalized instruction and benefit from robust career support services. Military-friendly and offering multiple annual start dates, the program positions students for promising employment opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
Daytona Beach, FL - Public 4-Year - daytonastate.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Daytona State College's Certified Nursing Assistant program offers a robust eight-week training pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals targeting long-term care environments. Through an immersive curriculum, students develop comprehensive patient care skills, mastering critical medical protocols, safety procedures, and essential nutrition fundamentals. The program's distinguished approach combines rigorous theoretical instruction with extensive hands-on clinical experiences, enabling participants to gain real-world competencies. Graduates receive comprehensive preparation for the Florida State CNA Licensure exam, positioning them for immediate employment across diverse healthcare settings including nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare services. Flexible evening class options enhance accessibility for working students.
Jacksonville, FL - Public 4-Year - fscj.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Florida State College at Jacksonville's CNA program offers an accelerated pathway into healthcare, strategically designed as a hybrid training model. Students benefit from a compact 5-week curriculum integrating online learning with intensive hands-on clinical experiences. The program uniquely prepares aspiring nursing assistants through comprehensive skill development, covering critical patient care techniques, legal responsibilities, and professional standards. With an affordable total cost of $1,228, participants gain practical knowledge enabling successful Florida Board of Nursing Certification exam completion. Flexible evening and weekend scheduling accommodates diverse student needs, making career transition accessible and efficient.
Fort Pierce, FL - Public 4-Year - irsc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
At Indian River State College, the Nursing Assistant program stands out as a robust, hands-on training pathway designed to rapidly launch healthcare careers. Students experience an intensive 165-hour curriculum that meticulously prepares them for comprehensive patient care responsibilities. The program's strategic design focuses on developing critical skills in vital sign monitoring, personal assistance techniques, and patient safety protocols. With flexible evening and daytime class schedules across multiple campus locations, learners gain practical knowledge that directly aligns with Florida State Board of Nursing certification requirements. Graduates emerge well-equipped to excel in diverse medical environments like hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health services.
The state of Florida does not permit fully online CNA training programs because clinical experience remains mandatory for CNA certification but students can enroll in hybrid courses. Students enrolled in these hybrid programs study theory through online classes followed by hands-on clinical experience at healthcare facilities. The online curriculum includes instruction about human body structure, disease prevention, and patient treatment protocols. Students need to finish their required in-person clinical hours at healthcare facilities which include hospitals and nursing homes for supervised hands-on practice.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College |
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| Florida State College at Jacksonville |
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| FVI School of Nursing and Technology |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | At least 18, high school diploma or equivalent, Level II Livescan fingerprinting, required immunizations and health screenings |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Florida Department of Health, Board of Nursing |
| Training Program | Complete a state-approved 120-hour CNA course, including at least 40 supervised clinical hours |
| Fees | $155 exam, retest fees of $35 for written and $120 for skills, background screening ~$75–100 |
| Certification Exam | Pass a 60-question written/oral test and a five-skill hands-on evaluation |
| Registry Activation | Added to the Florida Nurse Aide Registry within 48 hours of passing both exams |
| Renewal Requirements | Every two years complete 24 hours of in-service training and work at least one paid CNA shift in the prior 24 months, $55 renewal fee, Endorsement: Out-of-state CNAs with active certification and three years of experience apply via the MOBILE Act without retesting or extra fees |
The average hourly compensation for Certified Nursing Assistants in Florida ranges from $15 to $18 while their pay depends on their experience level, work environment, and geographical location. New CNAs receive annual salaries of about $30,000 while experienced CNAs working in hospitals or specialized facilities earn higher wages. The need for CNAs will persist because Florida faces an aging population while its healthcare facilities keep expanding their services. The Florida healthcare industry shows ongoing expansion specifically within long-term care services and home healthcare services. State projections indicate that CNA employment will experience higher accelerated growth than average in Florida during the period from 2025 to 2028. Numerous healthcare organizations across the state require trained CNAs to fill their available positions.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Florida | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $34,120 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $16.40 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$39,500 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $34,120 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$28,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~9,800 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State College at Jacksonville |
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| Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College |
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| Indian River State College |
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Florida CNAs find various advancement possibilities after completing their training. Many nursing assistants choose to continue their education to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs). CNA graduates can use bridge programs to gain priority admission to LPN and RN programs by leveraging their previous experience and training. Certain organizations provide their CNAs with educational support along with adaptable work schedules which enables them to pursue additional education. CNA professionals can earn specialized certifications to focus on geriatrics or hospice care. The two available career paths for nurses include work as Patient Care Technicians and Medication Aides. Healthcare professionals who build their experience and credentials can take on increased responsibility which leads to better-paying positions as well as leadership roles in healthcare facilities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Florida
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