5 Reasons to Train and Work as a CNA in Florida

According to career site Indeed, there are currently over 2000 job postings for certified nursing assistants in Florida alone. In the next ten years, the job outlook for CNAs is projected to grow by 9%, making this entry-level healthcare career an excellent choice for job stability in a time when unemployment is the highest since the Great Depression. Here are five additional reasons to train and work as a CNA in Florida.

1. Florida is an Affordable State to Live and Work as a CNA

Wages for CNAs in Florida approximate the national average, between $14-$16 per hour, or close to $30,000 per year. Pair that with an overall moderate cost of living and no state income tax, Florida is a wonderful state to live and work. The area’s subtropical climate and mild winters make the state an attractive location to settle down and start a career. Florida has many tourist destinations nearby, and proximity to beaches, lakes, golfing, and outdoor recreational activities. Calling Florida home can mean you have your dream vacation at your fingertips without needing to leave the state.

2. Florida Offers Many CNA Training Programs

With 200 CNA training programs in Florida, you will be able to find a program that fits your location, schedule, and budget. Some programs are accelerated and fit the content and required hours within a matter of weeks. Other programs offer convenient night or weekend classes for students who need flexible training between other work or family obligations. Requirements for a certified nursing assistant license vary from state to state. Some states have strict amounts of required classroom and clinical hours. Florida requires students to attend an accredited training program and pass a written and skills exam for licensure. Check out this resource for more information on how to become a CNA in Florida.

3. Florida is a Top State for the Number of CNAs Employed

Florida is in the top three states for total CNAs employed, with almost 90,000 employed in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the influx of tourists throughout the year, and aging retirees seeking out solace during the winter months, healthcare professionals in Florida are in demand. CNAs employed in Florida work in hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, rehab facilities, home health, and personal care aides in private duty. When searching for your perfect CNA job, be sure to expand your search beyond the term CNA. As a certified nursing assistant, you also hold qualifications for jobs as a patient care technician or PCT, bath aide, care assistant, personal care aide, and home care assistants.

4. Develop Unique Skills as a CNA

Grow your skills in healthcare as a CNA. Florida recently passed legislation stating that CNAs can complete tasks delegated by RN’s if the CNAs are deemed competent to do so. It also supports that CNAs can pass medication once they complete appropriate annual training. This adds a unique skill set to a nursing assistant’s resume and helps make it more appealing for future employers or educational programs. In addition to medication training, working as a CNA helps reinforce “soft skills” such as interpersonal communication, understanding and communicating using medical terminology, time management, delegation, and professionalism.

5. Opportunities to Expand Your Career

Opportunities abound for you to further your career after obtaining your CNA license. While many people are happy at spending their entire healthcare careers as a nursing assistant, the career possibilities are endless. CNAs can be employed in a variety of settings, so you can change employers when you feel it is time for something new. You can begin your career at a skilled nursing facility, then switch to working in pediatrics at a hospital a few years later. Some may choose to expand horizons and use the skills learned as a CNA to transition into a different healthcare role, such as phlebotomy, medical transcription, or medical office management. Or you can explore a non-nursing healthcare career after observing different occupations in the workplace. Other healthcare occupations you may interact with as a nursing assistant include pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology technology, social work, and respiratory therapy. If you are interested in furthering your career in the nursing field, there are over 200 nursing schools in Florida offering RN education (associate degree or bachelor’s degree) or LPN certificate programs. Many offer a combination of in-person and online courses for the convenience of working students. Some employers also offer tuition reimbursement towards furthering healthcare careers.