THE MOST REWARDING JOB.
Find Your Path
It’s easier than you think to become a CNA. Follow either the fast path or the traditional path to your new career.
Get hired as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) with just a high school diploma or GED.
Receive 24 hours training and demonstrate care competencies.
Work as a PCA and train alongside a seasoned CNA, under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
After 4 months of on-the-job training, take the CNA exam and become certified.
Earn Your High School Diploma or GED.
Complete a state-approved, 120-hour CNA training program.
Complete in-person clinical training at a healthcare facility.
Pass a Florida-approved CNA certification exam.
SO MANY ADVANTAGES
Working as a CNA is hard but rewarding. Advantages include:
- A steady, stable career with guaranteed hours
- Flexibility to work more hours, fewer hours, or odd hours
- The potential to move locations while retaining benefits and financial incentives
- Entry-level exposure to nursing and an in-demand profession with unlimited potential
Give Your Career Meaning
When you work in a long-term care or skilled nursing center, you become a hero for residents and their family members. Because CNAs spend time helping residents with their self-care, they get to know them well. Sometimes, CNAs are the first to notice tiny changes that can make an impact on the care residents receive.
Residents and their loved ones will appreciate your care, energy, patience and attention. Make unforgettable connections with residents and create lifelong memories as a CNA.
Get ready to make a difference in someone’s life every single day.
What is a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, provide direct care to patients in nursing centers, healthcare facilities and home care. As a vital part of a larger care team, CNAs help patients with a wide range of basic needs, including eating, bathing, grooming, mobility and more while under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.
What is a personal care attendant (PCA)?
Personal care attendants, or PCAs, assist direct care staff with residents’ activities of daily living, including making up beds, helping residents get dressed or use the bathroom, taking residents’ temperatures, helping residents in and out of wheelchairs. PCAs can work up to 4 months (120 hours) in a nursing center to gain hands-on experience to prepare for challenging the CNA certification exam.
How do I create a Job Seeker Profile?
Job Seeker Profiles allow our participating nursing centers to see who is interested in being a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in their area. Simply fill out your profile to have access to the Florida Health Care Association Long Term Care Career Center, where you can view open positions available in skilled nursing centers across the state.
Where do I find open jobs in my area?
If you’d like to see all the open positions available in skilled nursing centers across Florida, visit the Florida Health Care Association Long Term Care Career Center. FHCA’s Long Term Care Career Center allows you to search positions, upload your resume and even provides a one-time resume consultation.
Are there instances where I may begin my employment as a nursing assistant prior to obtaining certification?
There are two opportunities where individuals can work in a nursing center and begin the pathway to become a CNA. 1) A nursing center can hire an individual to work as a Personal Care Attendant. After 16 hours of instructional training and demonstrating being competent in certain skills, PCAs can begin working under the training of a CNA to assist with residents’ daily care needs. PCAs have up to 4 months (120 hours) to take and pass the CNA exam to earn certification. 2) A nursing center can hire an individual enrolled in a state-approved CNA training program and, after demonstrating being competent in certain skills, can begin caring for residents at the bedside as a nurse aide in training. Nurse aides in training have up to 4 months (120 hours) to take and pass the CNA exam to earn certification. Both of these opportunities are at the discretion of the employer.
Are my expenses associated with obtaining my certification reimbursable?
If you complete a state approved training program and meet specified requirements, you might be eligible to receive reimbursement for some of your expenses. You should ask your employer, or connect with your local workforce development board or chamber of commerce to explore options available in your area.
Am I required to attend a certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program or may I simply challenge the exam?
CNA applicants may “challenge” the exam. Completion of a state approved CNA training program is not required unless the applicant has failed part of the exam three times.
What exams are required to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in the state of Florida?
You must pass both the written and the performance exam offered by the testing vendor, Prometric, to be certified as a nursing assistant in the state of Florida. The only exception to this is for approved Endorsement candidates.
How long are my exam scores valid?
Examination results are valid for two years. So, if you pass one part of the exam, you must pass the second part within two years or you will have to repeat both parts of the exam to be certified.
Does Florida require out-of-state certified nursing assistants (CNAs) applying for Endorsement to complete any exams?
Florida does not require the testing for those candidates who have been verified as being actively certified and in good standing in another state. Otherwise, you will be required to take the written and performance exams in order to be placed on Florida’s Registry.
Can a certified nursing assistant (CNA) work in Florida using a certification from another state?
Yes, but you must still obtain certification in Florida. If you hold a valid active certified nursing assistant license that is in good standing with another state, then Florida will allow you to apply for a Florida certificate by endorsement instead of taking the state examination. You must apply and successfully pass a background screening which includes no findings of committing abuse, neglect or exploitation. More information about becoming a CNA in Florida can be found here.
What happens if I do not renew my certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate by the expiration date?
If you do not renew your certificate by midnight of the expiration date, your certificate becomes delinquent and you cannot work as a CNA until the certificate is renewed. In order to renew your license after the expiration date, you will need to meet the work and in-service training requirements, pay the original renewal fee and pay a delinquency fee. If the certificate is not renewed by expiration date, two years later, your certificate will become null and void and you will have to take the CNA examination again to be certified in Florida.
Am I required to have a background check?
Applicants for initial licensure are required to submit fingerprints via Livescan for a Level II background screening. Applicant fingerprints will be retained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a period of 5 years unless renewed.
Is a background check required when entering a certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program/school?
This would vary from program to program. You will need to check with any prospective programs, but this will not satisfy the background screening requirements for licensure and/or employment.
How will the candidate know if they are not clear to be certified?
If the result of their background report shows arrests and offenses, or incomplete dispositions, they will receive a notice from the Background Screening Unit requesting additional information. Depending on the types and seriousness of the offenses, the applicant’s file may go before the Board of Nursing for further review. If the Board denies the applicant’s file, the applicant will receive an official Intent to Deny Order and will have a right to appeal.
If I go through the Nurse Aide Training and there’s something in my background, will I still be allowed to work the four (4) month grace period?
That determination is made at the discretion of the employer.
Can I still sit for the exam even though there’s something in my background?
Each application is reviewed on its own merits. The Board of Nursing has created guidelines for specific offenses to be cleared in the Board office; however, the staff cannot make determinations in advance as laws and rules do change over time. Violent crimes and repeat offenders are required to be presented to the Board of Nursing for review. The Board of Nursing has indicated that evidence of rehabilitation is important to the Board Members when making licensure decisions.
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