Pursuing a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can be an extremely rewarding decision. As a CNA, you get to provide hands-on care to patients in medical facilities while enjoying stable employment and opportunity for advancement.
Port St. Lucie, FL and the surrounding areas have a growing need for compassionate and dedicated CNAs to care for the aging population. This comprehensive guide provides all the details you need to choose the right CNA program, get certified, and launch a successful career in Port St. Lucie‘s healthcare system.
Why Become a CNA?
CNA roles are indispensable in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other healthcare settings. As a CNA, your main duties include:
- Providing basic patient care like bathing, dressing, feeding etc.
- Assisting with mobility and exercises
- Monitoring vital signs
- Documenting patient status
- Communicating with care teams
It is an extremely rewarding career that allows you to work directly with people and make a difference in their lives. Other advantages include:
1. Excellent job outlook: With Port St. Lucie‘s aging population, there is a rapidly growing need for CNAs and caregivers in health facilities.
2. Short training time: You can become a certified CNA in as little as 4-12 weeks through an accredited program.
3. Varied work settings: CNAs are employed in hospitals, private homes, assisted living centers, hospice care, rehabilitation units and more.
4. Opportunity to advance your career: With experience, CNAs can become trainers, managers or transition into nursing roles.
5. Competitive wages and benefits: The average hourly pay for CNAs in Florida is above national averages, and most employers provide health/retirement benefits.
6. Personal fulfillment: As a CNA, you get the satisfaction of caring for patients and making positive impacts on lives every day!
Clearly, becoming a CNA opens up diverse and fulfilling career pathways in healthcare. Now let‘s look at top CNA programs near Port St. Lucie.
Top CNA Training Programs in Port St. Lucie, FL
There are excellent CNA training providers in and around the Port St. Lucie region. Here are the top accredited programs:
1. Fortis Institute – Port St. Lucie
- 4-10 week program lengths
- Provides training materials
- Flexible class schedules
- Experienced nursing instructors
- State-of-the-art campus and simulation labs
- Clinical rotation included
- Career guidance for job search
"I had an amazing experience at Fortis Institute. My instructor was highly knowledgeable and took time to work with each student. I felt fully prepared for my clinical rotation and CNA exam after graduation." – Mary, Fortis Graduate
Cost: Approximately $1,200
Location: 9022 South U.S. 1, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952
2. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology
- 120-hour CNA prep program
- Small class sizes
- CPR certification included
- 90% first-attempt exam pass rate
- Clinical experience at long-term care facility
- Job placement assistance
"The course covered everything needed to pass the CNA exam. My clinical experience allowed me to boost my confidence and skills in providing patient care." – Lucas, Cambridge Graduate
Cost: $350-$850
Location: 460 East Altamonte Drive #103, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
3. CCCNA (Certified CNA Classes)
- 5-day accelerated CNA program
- Training by registered nurses
- Hands-on labs for skills practice
- 100% exam pass rate history
- Assistance with certification and job search
- Flexible day and evening classes
"I was able to complete my CNA training in less than a week with CCCNA. The accelerated schedule fit my needs. I felt ready for my exam and career after graduating." – Ashley, CCCNA Graduate
Cost: $950
Location: 5282 South Commerce Drive, Murray, UT 84107
The key is finding an accredited CNA program that matches your schedule, budget and location preferences. I recommend comparing curriculum, costs, pass rates and student reviews before deciding.
Getting Your CNA Certification in Florida
Once you complete a state-approved CNA program, you‘ll need to pass the CNA evaluation exam to get certified to work in Florida. Here are the steps:
1. Register for the CNA exam – You are eligible after finishing at least 120 hours of training.
2. Pass a criminal background check – Criminal offenses may impact your certification.
3. Schedule your CNA exam date/location – There are many testing centers around Port St. Lucie and across Florida.
4. Take the written and practical CNA exam – The exams consist of a written portion (usually a multiple choice knowledge test) and a hands-on skills test.
I recommend giving yourself at least 2-3 weeks between completing your program and sitting for the certification exam. This gives you time to study and practice your skills.
Many CNA programs also provide exam prep, tips and opportunities to do mock testing in their facilities to help you succeed.
Once certified, you must renew your CNA credential every two years by working for pay as a CNA in Florida. Specific renewal steps can be found on the Florida Department of Health website.
Finding CNA Jobs in Port St. Lucie
The job outlook for CNAs in the Port St. Lucie area is very strong due to increasing demand from hospitals, assisted living communities, home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities.
Here are top companies currently hiring for CNA roles:
- Treasure Coast Hospice
- Consulate Health Care
- Cheney Brothers, Inc.
- Lawnwood Regional Medical Center
- Port St. Lucie Nursing and Restorative Care Services
- American Medical Response (AMR)
- Visiting Nurse Association of Florida
I recommend creating profiles on websites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn to find the latest job openings matching your experience.
You can also directly check hospital career sites and contact local healthcare facilities about open CNA positions.
Having your resume polished and being prepared for interviews will give you a competitive edge during the job search process.
Tips for Succeeding as a CNA
Here is some excellent advice from experienced CNAs and nursing professionals in the Port St. Lucie region:
-
Develop patience and empathy – The best CNAs truly care about patient wellbeing. Focus on building trust and compassionately caring for each patient.
-
Practice and upgrade your skills – Look for opportunities to gain additional clinical experience. Take on new nursing skills through job training.
-
Ask questions – Don‘t be afraid to ask colleagues for help or guidance on difficult tasks. Keeping patients safe is the #1 priority.
-
Take care of yourself – This is physically and emotionally demanding work. Eat healthy, stay active, and don‘t forget about self-care!
-
Join professional groups – Memberships with Florida groups like the Gold Seal Healthcare Facility and Florida Nurses Association provide networking, career advice and more.
I hope this guide provided you detailed insights on starting an exciting and meaningful career as a Certifeid Nursing Assistant in the Port St. Lucie region!
There is strong demand for compassionate patient care professionals across Florida. By pursuing CNA training and certification, you can gain the skills needed to excel and find ample job opportunities near Port St. Lucie.
All the best!