High Demand in Tampa Bay for Certified Nursing Assistants
CNAs can find high-paying per diem shifts in Tampa Bay, Florida using Nursa. Learn more about the average CNA salary in this city and how to pick up PRN jobs using a staffing app.
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is essential to patients' lives. They are the foundation of the healthcare system, performing necessary job duties to support and provide quality care. Furthermore, they also establish a rapport with patients, allowing them to provide helpful insight and information to the nurses who create patient care plans. The specific duties of a CNA typically include:
- Answering call buttons
- Alerting nurses to emergencies
- Assisting patients with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- grooming
- toileting
- getting dressed
- dental hygiene
How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Florida
Rules and regulations for becoming a CNA vary from state to state; therefore, it is essential to check with the board of nursing before signing up and paying for a training program. Please confirm a program's authenticity with the board before participation. In Florida, you can become a CNA by examination or endorsement.
For certification by examination, the requirements are as follows:
- Pass required background screening and one of the following:
- Has completed an approved training program and achieved a minimum score on the nursing assistant competency examination administered at a site and by personnel authorized by the department.
- Has achieved a minimum score and:
- Has a high school diploma, or its equivalent; or
- Is at least 18 years of age.
- Has completed the curriculum developed under the Enterprise Florida Jobs and Education Partnership Grant and achieved a minimum score, established by rule of the board, on the nursing assistant competency examination, which consists of a written portion and skills-demonstration portion, approved by the board and administered at a site and by personnel authorized by the department.
For certification by endorsement, the requirements are as follows:
- Must successfully pass the required background screening and:
- Is currently certified in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia;
- is listed on that jurisdiction's certified nursing assistant registry;
- and has not been found to have committed abuse, neglect, or exploitation in that jurisdiction.
The above certification requirements for CNAs in Florida are sourced directly from the Florida Board of Nursing.
Where do CNAs Work?
Once certified, you can find jobs in various healthcare settings. In Florida, CNAs have one of the highest employment levels in the entire U.S., behind only California and New York. This is likely correlated to the large number of retirement community populations that the balmy state enjoys. Unsurprising since Florida is known to be a popular retirement destination.
CNAs in the Sunshine State often work in nursing homes, assisted living residences, hospitals, outpatient clinics, doctor's offices, and home health. Bear in mind that some work settings may pay more than others, which begs the question, "how much can CNAs earn?"
How Much do CNAs Earn?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that for the year 2021, the national average salary for CNAs was estimated at $33,250 annually and $15.99 hourly. Keep in mind that wages are typically higher in states with a higher cost of living.
When we look at the state of Florida, we can see that CNAs earn $29,840 per year or $14.35, yet when we dissect the data further, the data shows that CNAs in the Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater area earn an average rate a bit higher than all of Florida at $30,660 per year or $14.74.
As a CNA, one of the best ways to increase your earnings, both annually and hourly, is to work PRN CNA jobs in the Tampa Bay area, and the best way to find them is through the best healthcare staffing.
How to Find PRN CNA Jobs Near You
The trick to finding PRN CNA jobs near you is right in the palm of your hand. Download the PRN CNA jobs app, Nursa, and connect to hundreds of available CNA PRN shifts in Tampa Bay. Once you've downloaded the app, verify your CNA certificate, create your professional profile, and start scrolling.
You'll find that often PRN shifts are listed at a higher hourly pay rate than a regular staff position. This is twofold: hospitals and facilities save money by hiring PRNs because they don't have to invest resources in a lengthy hiring process or pay employee benefits. Moreover, staffing gaps lower the quality of care an agency or facility can provide. The demand for your skills is to your advantage as it allows you to earn more and be selective about when and where you work. Nursa has no quota or minimum number of shifts policy for clinicians, so you decide how often to pick up PRN CNA jobs near you in Tampa Bay.
