CNA Programs in Florida
In this article we will discuss the various kinds of CNA programs, online and off-line, accredited and non-accredited programs. The program that is best for you will depend on your specific conditions, so we will endeavor to be as objective as possible.
Accredited CNA Programs in Florida
Accredited CNA Programs are programs that have an active license from the Florida Board of Nursing to impart CNA instruction. These can be standalone programs; though they are sometimes internal programs that a CNA employer may have, or a vocational program that a high school has.
What are the accredited CNA programs in Florida?
The Florida Nursing Board keeps an official up-to-date list which you can check here; our recommendation is that you check there for any that are located close to your location, and call each one individually. Accredited programs can be expensive (sometimes up to thousands of dollars), and their price can vary significantly; therefore, we recommend you talk to at least 3 accredited programs before you commit to one to get a sense of what the current market prices are. Do keep in mind that some of these programs are exclusive in the sense that they may be part of a high school educational program or part of an employer’s internal program. These programs are generally not open to the public as they are meant for their current students or qualifying employees. To find programs in your area, simply use our program finder below (each school will have their own accreditation policies, consult with each):
Who are accredited CNA programs a good fit for?
- Accredited programs are especially a good option for students under 18 years old, as these need to pass through an accredited program before being able to take the test.
- Students who have taken the CNA test but have not been able to pass it more than three times in the span of two years. These students also need to take an accredited course before they can retake the CNA exam.
- Students who qualify for financial aid may be able to obtain it through accredited programs. If you think you may qualify, make sure to ask the various programs about their financial aid as you are investigating the various schools. You can view more information about several accredited programs in Florida here.
Non-Accredited CNA Programs in Florida
Many people are reasonably skeptical of non-accredited programs, and we can certainly understand that, as the name implies some sort of inferior education. The reality is very different, as we have seen in over 10 years of operation that in most instances, non-accredited programs are actually a better fit for students than the accredited ones. This is because the CNA license that you get when completing the state exam after a non-accredited CNA program is exactly the same as the license you would get should you complete an accredited CNA Program. We prefer to call these programs Challenger Programs, as we believe it is a better representation of the program itself. Challenger Program fees also often qualify for reimbursement by CNA employers after obtaining a nurse aide role. If you want further information, specifically on the legitimacy of online CNA Programs, we encourage you to read our article on "Are Online CNA Classes Legitimate?".
Who are challenger CNA programs a good fit for?
- Challenger programs are a very good option for adults who simply do not have the time or resources to be able to commit to a 4 week full-time in person program. A non-accredited program, such as ours, can be completed in your spare time and in your own schedule, without affecting your current job commitments.
- Students who have a limited budget can be very well served by these programs. The difference in cost between an accredited program and a non-accredited program can be as large as thousands of dollars.
- Students who want to obtain their CNA license as quickly as possible generally opt for a challenger program.
- These programs are especially excellent for individuals who are already working in a caretaker role, such as a Home Health Aide (HHA), and are looking to upgrade their credentials by obtaining a CNA license.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand the different kinds of CNA programs available in Florida, and determine which one is the best option for your situation. Should you decide that you want to enroll in an online CNA course, we encourage you to register for our course, which is one of the oldest in the state and one of the most economical.