CNA Classes in Jacksonville FL
Are you considering CNA certification in Florida? Then you have come to the right place for information! The state of Florida has very similar requirements for CNA certification as other states. The primary requirements are that you have graduated high school or have completed your GED. You need to be at least 18 years of age in the state of Florida to apply for your certificate of Nursing Assistance. If you meet these requirements, you then need complete the curriculum (or course work) that has been outlined by the Florida state Nursing Board. After attending CNA classes in Florida you will need to sit for and pass both of the exams within three attempts. A background check requirement and fingerprinting is also part of the process of becoming CNA certified in the state of Florida.
One of the interesting nuances of the Florida requirements is that a state approved training program is not required prior to taking the two part examination as long as you are 18 and have graduated from high school. This is a great benefit to those who are looking to get licensed as soon as possible and into the Florida CNA work force.
CNA Training Classes Jacksonville Florida
As of 7/21/15, the Florida Board of Nursing lists 285 approved CNA training programs. Of these, many are CNA classes in Jacksonville FL, and for good reason.
Jacksonville Florida is home to 821,784 people, making it the largest city in the state, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Those seeking CNA training Jacksonville FL will be pleased to learn that the city is a major medical hub, with a world famous Mayo Clinic site, ranking nationally in 4 specialties. UF Health Jacksonville is a top regionally ranked hospital in the Jacksonville greater metro area. Other notable hospitals include St. Vincent’s Medical Center, which is also regionally ranked in Jax.
Jacksonville FL is home to a large amount of nursing homes, 57 in total within the Jax metro area. Of these 57 regional nursing homes, 10 are recognized with a rating from the federal CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, of 5-stars. These top rated Florida nursing homes are as follows: River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged, Terrace of Jacksonville, First Coast Health & Rehabilitation Center, Vicar’s Landing Nursing Home, Fleet Landing, Life Care Center of Hilliard, Life Care Center of Orange Park, Lifecare St. Johns, Inc., Clyde E Lassen State Veterans Nursing Home, Pavilion for Health Care.
With the largest population in the state, dozens of nationally recognized medical institutions, and many options for CNA classes Jacksonville FL is a top choice for those wishing to become a CNA in Florida. CNA classes in Tampa FL are also popular for similar reasons, as are CNA classes in Miami. Overall, Florida is a great place to live and work as a Certified Nursing Assistant and build your medical career.
Florida CNA License Process
The job market in Florida is one of the best, as there is a large population of geriatrics within the state of Florida. There are many nursing homes looking for well qualified, hard-working CNA’s to fill the positions. This trend will continue over the next several years, so now is a great time to start CNA classes in Florida and get your CNA certification license. Below are some common questions about the Florida CNA license process.
What if I am certified in another state as a CNA but want to work in Florida?
The state of Florida will issue you a certification upon receipt of your application if you are currently certified in another state and listed on that state’s certified Nursing Assistant registry so long as you have not been found to have committed abuse, neglect or exploitation during your time of employment in your current state. Basically there is reciprocity between any other state CNA registry and Florida for you to be able to transfer your certification.
What if I fail the CNA license Florida examination?
You will have three attempts to be able to pass the two part CNA license Florida examination. If you cannot pass after three attempts you are no longer eligible for CNA certification in Florida. There are many practice exams available online so you may better prepare for the CNA exam. It would be wise to utilize this resource prior to attempting to pass the two part exam.
How often will I need to renew my CNA Certification Florida License?
The state requires that you renew your CNA certification Florida license biannually. It is important that you have worked a minimum of 12 hours of paid duties as a CNA in a calendar year to be able to renew your Florida CNA license. If you fail to do so it will result in the expiration of your license. This means that in order to regain your CNA license Florida status you will need to complete training all over again and re-pass the two part examination.
How much does it cost to renew my Florida CNA Certification?
The renewal fee for Florida CNA certification is between $20 and $50 biennially. There is a renewal application that needs to be completed each time your certificate is up for renewal. It is important to keep an up to date address on file with the Florida State Nursing Board, as they will send you notification of when you need to renew your license.
Do I have to take the written section of the CNA exam or is there another option?
The written portion of the examination can be taken in oral form upon request. It needs to be taken onsite and by an examiner that has been approved by the Florida state nursing board.
What is the two part examination comprised of?
In the state of Florida all applicants must pass the 2 part Prometric CNA examination. This is required of first time applicants and re-certifying applicants. The first test section is a performance skills evaluation. This is done in front of an examiner who will ask you to perform specific skills in their presence. It requires you to perform 5 randomly selected nursing assistant skills. It may be skills such as recording the blood pressure of a patient, the proper medication administration procedure, and/or taking other vitals. The second part of the examination is the written portion. For the written portion you will have 90 minutes to answer 60 multiple choice questions. An oral examination for the written portion may be requested, or a Spanish version of the test can be requested.
Are background checks required to become a licensed CNA in Florida?
Yes, a level II background check is required in order to achieve CNA certification in the state of Florida.
How to Become a CNA in Florida
In order to become a CNA in Florida, you must first obtain a Florida CNA license. The process of CNA certification Florida licensure is outlined in detail in the previous section. Once you obtain a CNA license you can begin submitting applications for CNA jobs in Florida.
CNA Jobs in Florida
Florida has the third highest employment rating for CNA in the country, trailing only New York and California. In 2014 the state of Florida had over 86,000 jobs, and this number is only expected to increase in coming years. This is largely, in part, due to the baby boomer generation retiring and needing more medical care each year. With Florida’s increasing population of retirees, it seems a stable job market for those looking to enter the medical field as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Occupational Employment Statistics, the following areas had the highest CNA jobs in Florida:
- Miami – Fort Lauderdale – Pompano Beach FL = 22,600 CNA jobs
- Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater FL = 15,570 CNA jobs
- Miami – Miami Beach – Kendall FL Metropolitan Division = 10,270 CNA jobs
Orlando – Kissimmee – Sanford FL; West Palm Beach – Boca Raton – Boynton Beach FL Metropolitan; Jacksonville FL – all had between 6,000-7,000 CNA jobs.
To reach the Florida Board of Nursing with questions regarding the CNA process, contact:
Customer Contact Center
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
(850) 488-0595
Board Office
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
(850) 245-4125
FAX: 850-617-6460
CNA FAX: 850-412-2207
MAILING ADDRESS:
Department of Health
Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252
APPLICATIONS and FEES ONLY:
Department of Health
Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330