1. CNA Training in Florida
This article posted at the CNA Certification and Training blog.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a position that
allows candidates to enter the broad field of health care, especially nursing, and the career of a
nursing assistant is a good selection currently in Florida, because of the great demand for
medical staff.
Florida is one of the most flexible states when it comes to obtaining a CNA license, as not
requires candidates to enroll in a training program. However, even if it is not required by the
Florida Board of Nursing, because the CNA exam in Florida is not any easier than other states,
they encourage those who will take the certification exam to undergo CNA training in Florida. It
is important to note that those who failed in exams are usually those who were not able to
receive good marks in the second part, which is the practical exam.
Therefore, in state of Florida there are a variety choices training that meet requirements of State
Board of Nursing and federal regulations, offered through of online courses, nursing schools,
community colleges, vocational and technical schools, medical institutions, as well as in nursing
facilities that provide free CNA training in exchange the candidate to work there for a certain
amount of time.
Certified nursing assistants practice their work under the guidance and supervision of licensed
practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs), and are responsible for providing support in
a variety of health care settings. They perform tasks like, administering medications, taking vital
signs, observing patients and noting changes their behavior or condition, infection control,
tidying patients’ room, assisting patients with their bathing and grooming needs, dressing,
feeding, helping set up equipments and stocking supplies, etc.
CNA Training Requirements in Florida (FL)
The enrolling in one of the approved CNA programs in Florida opens a wide variety of career
options for those who want to pursue career in nursing field.
In order to apply for admission in these CNA programs, the aspirants must meet some
pre-requisites, like should be at least 18 years of age; have a high school diploma or GED
certification, clean criminal record, a negative result for TB test within the past 6 months and
proof of immunizations.
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2. The Florida Department of Health is the one that responsible for approving CNA training
programs in the state, and all state-approved programs contain 120 hours of training, with 80
hours of classroom instruction by following a specific time schedule and 40 hours clinical
practice, usually in a laboratory or in an actual clinical facility. The courses last for 6 to 12 weeks
and cover topics like, basic medical procedures, patient rights, anatomy and physiology, basic
nutrition, body mechanics, communication skills, personal care, infection control, patient safety
and hygiene, obtaining vital signs, patient's rights, etc.
Florida CNA Certification Requirements
In the state of Florida, there is a provision in which the aspirants can challenge the certification
exam for CNA without enrolling in any approved program; provided that they must be above 18
years old and possess a high school diploma or GED certification. However, if the examinee
fails the tests after three tries, required to attend an approved formal CNA training and then sit
for the exam again.
The Florida Department of Health oversees the whole process of certification of applicants,
which administered by Thompson Prometric comprising of a written exam with 50
multiple-choice questions related to physical care of clients, psychosocial care and legal and
ethical issues of nursing profession, and a clinical test which requires applicants to perform five
randomly selected nursing assistant skills. Both exams are administered in English, and fee of
written exam is $36 and of clinical test is $57.
The candidates who are certified are listed on the records of Florida Nurse Aide Registry along
with their personal information, which helps the employers get relevant required information
about their prospective employees.
CNA license must to be renewed every 2 years, and nursing aide must has worked at least 12
hours and in some cases 24 hours during the same period. Recertification fee of CNA licenses
is $55.
CNA Employment in Florida
Those who of working as a CNA in healthcare field have one advantage that is the flexibility of
the profession. The growth in demand for CNAs in Florida will likely outpace much of the
country, because many of elderly people who need healthcare live to state. CNA salary in
Florida ranges between $31,000 and $34,000 per year.
It is important that all training programs have hands-on experience, as many employers look for
CNA who has more experience which will enable him to earns a higher salary.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) have the possibility of employment in some of the
healthcare and medical settings such as nursing homes, clinics, hospitals, private health care
centers, public health care facilities, mental care facilities, elderly care centers, convalescent
homes and long-term care facilities in the state, including the Baptist Medical Center, Broward
General Medical Center, Memorial Regional Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, University
Hospital and Medical Center.
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3. Important Contacts for Certified Nursing Assistants
Nursing - American Red Cross
American Nurses Association
National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA)
Nurse Aide Employment Outlook 2010-2011
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Department of Health
Florida Nurse Aide Registry
Florida Nurses Association (FNA)
Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA)
Florida Association of School Nurses (FASN)
Prometric
CNA Training in Florida
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