Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is an incredibly important, meaningful, and fulfilling job – if only CNA jobs in Tampa, Florida paid better, right? You shouldn’t have to choose between doing a job that you love and getting the compensation that you deserve. At Nursa™ we recognize the valuable work that CNAs in Tampa do and want to help you find the highest-paying jobs in your city.
Are CNA Jobs in Demand?
83,010 CNAs are currently employed in Florida. 13,240 of these work in Tampa. In Tampa, as in the rest of Florida, the ratio of CNAs is higher than the national ratio is. However, this does not mean that there is not a demand for nurses and nursing assistants; the United States as a whole has been experiencing a nursing shortage for years now, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accentuated the need for nurses. The reality is that CNAs will always be in demand – even at facilities that have all staff positions covered. This is because – as opposed to office jobs – nurses and nursing assistants can’t simply leave their work done and go on vacation or take maternity/paternity leave: If a CNA leaves his or her position even temporarily, another CNA will have to take his or her place.
How Much Does a CNA Make in Tampa, Florida?
CNAs in Florida make an average of $29,840 annually. In Tampa, CNAs fare a little better with $30,660 per year. However, for most CNAs, this salary doesn’t quite make ends meet, so it’s important to look for ways to supplement your income or – ideally – find higher-paying jobs.
Where Do CNAs Make the Most Money in Florida?
Although the national average annual salary for CNAs is $33,250, some industries pay CNAs significantly more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these are the highest-paying industries for CNAs nationwide:
- Junior colleges: $61,310
- Scientific research and development services: $44,580
- Insurance carriers: $42,810
- Federal executive branch (OEWS designation): $41,850
- Technical and trade schools: $40,280
Landing that job at a junior college would be pretty sweet; sadly, however, less than 1% of CNAs are employed in each of these higher-paying industries. According to BLS, most CNAs work in the following settings:
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities): 37%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 30%
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly: 11%
- Home healthcare services: 6%
- Government: 4%
The most sensible consideration would therefore be thinking about how to find high-paying jobs at nursing care facilities or hospitals. This brings us to PRN work.
What Does PRN Mean in Healthcare?
The term PRN stands for the Latin "pro re nata", which means "as needed". In healthcare, this term is used to refer to temporary jobs created to cover extraordinary staffing needs in healthcare facilities. In these cases, facilities typically hire self-employed healthcare workers on a shift-by-shift basis. Therefore, PRN nurses can work as much or as little as they like. Furthermore, PRN jobs pay more than staff positions do because of the temporary and urgent nature of the jobs. Nurses and nursing assistants can also request only the highest-paying shifts, thereby significantly increasing their income without waiting to be hired by a junior college!
What Can CNAs Do in Florida?
If you’re looking for the highest-paying CNA jobs in Florida, look no further. With Nursa™’s healthcare staffing app, you can earn up to $250 per shift! Forget about tedious job applications and interviews. Simply download the app, answer a few questions, and upload your certification. Once your certification is verified, you can begin browsing all the PRN jobs near you and request as many as you like. Request the highest-paying jobs and the ones that fit your schedule the best. Also consider all other job preferences, such as setting – hospital or nursing home, for example; consider location – some facilities might be right around the corner from your house; also think of the area or unit that you enjoy working in the most – mommies and babies in labor and delivery or grannies and grampies in geriatrics.
The bottom line is that PRN work allows you to take control of your income, workload, and work environment. Trust us: It feels good to wield that power.
