Student Guide to Online CNA Classes in Orlando
Jumpstart your nursing career in less than 2 months with CNA classes in Orlando. This guide gives you everything you need to find the right program and get certified.
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) play a vital role in the nursing profession by providing basic care and support. You can be licensed in just under two months by taking CNA classes in Orlando, FL through local community colleges and vocational schools. Some state-approved programs even administer online CNA classes, making it even more convenient to earn your credentials.
This guide explores the process of becoming an Orlando CNA and available course offerings. It profiles some of the best programs available, discusses common features, and details the certification process. It also looks at tuition and financial aid as well as job outlook and earnings data. Keep reading to get started on your path to becoming a CNA in Orlando.
List of Approved CNA Classes in Orlando
| School | City | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| School | City | Phone Number |
Florida Board of Nursing; Most recent data as of May 2022
FAQs About CNA Classes in Orlando, FL
What skills do you learn in CNA classes in Orlando?
These education programs build the core skills and knowledge base necessary for CNA certification in Florida. You learn how to assist adult patients with daily living activities and how to provide basic care under the direct supervision of a nursing professional. You also build skills in nutrition, hydration, mobility, and psychosocial needs. CNA classes in Orlando, FL prepare you for work at the highest level of professional conduct in these capacities. See the stated learning outcomes at Daytona State College for a good example of what to expect to gain in your studies.
How much do CNA classes cost in Orlando?
Understanding the costs upfront can help you select CNA classes in Orlando, FL that meet your specific needs. Classes typically cost less than $1,000. Tuition rates do not always include fees and other expenses like textbooks, however, so it’s always best to check with specific providers for the most up-to-date information. Below are several examples representative of the range of possible costs involved in CNA training.
Daytona State College
Certified Nursing Assistant – Long Term Care
Total Credits: One 8-week course
Tuition: $329
Eastern Florida State College
Patient Care Assistant Program
Total Credits: 290 clock hours
$2.56/clock hour ($742.40 total)
Palm Beach State College
Total Credits: 290 clock hours
$2.78/clock hour ($806.20 total)
Where can I get help paying for my CNA classes in Orlando?
Financial aid can help you complete your training with less overall expense. CNA students in Florida are eligible for school-based scholarship awards, private scholarships from businesses, employers, or other entities, and student loans. School-based aid is typically more comprehensive and less competitive. For example, several of the programs profiled above offer grants to incoming CNA students. Also check with current employers or other nursing-related organizations with a stake in empowering new CNAs. For more information, see our financial aid page and our guide to scholarships for CNA students.
How long do CNA classes in Orlando take to finish?
These courses are short in comparison to those for other nursing-related professions, which sometimes take years to finish. In many cases, you can complete CNA classes in Orlando, FL in less than two months. Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology and Cape Coral Technical College, for example, both offer 6-week courses. Marion Technical College administers an even shorter program that lasts 4-5 weeks on average. These timeframes don’t always include supervised clinical experience components, though, which also impact your timeline.
Inside Look at Online CNA Classes in Orlando
Most CNA coursework in the Orlando area takes place in person and entails significant on-campus attendance. Some programs, like the one at Marion Technical College, have started using online components and hybrid learning modalities. This normally means that some portion of didactic or prerequisite coursework occurs in a virtual learning environment for increased flexibility and accommodation. Other practice-based elements, like supervised fieldwork or clinical placements, occur in-person to provide the immersive hands-on experiences needed to advance your CNA career in Florida.
Online learning continues to increase in popularity due to enhanced convenience and ongoing public health concerns, so it is likely that more online CNA classes in Orlando will become available. For more information on this, navigate to our guide for online CNA students.
Common Questions About Online CNA Classes in Orlando
Will taking online CNA classes in Orlando impact my ability to get certified or licensed?
Online courses will not affect your standing as a CNA candidate or prospective licensee. You should make sure you attend a program with proper accreditation and approval by the Florida Board of Nursing, though. Regulators do not distinguish between learning modalities beyond that requirement, and taking online classes will not impact your eligibility for licensure.
Do employers care if I take some of my CNA classes online?
Potential employers look for a license and certification credentials. They evaluate job candidates on that basis and then look for additional qualifications like work experience and additional skills. Your license verifies your competency and skills as a CNA, not your program’s delivery method.
Are online CNA classes in Orlando more affordable than campus programs?
Tuition rates tend to fall in the same range despite learning modality, but potential savings go beyond the price tag alone. The convenience of online CNA classes means you will end up spending less time and money traveling to campus. This frees up resources for other endeavors.
Can I complete my Orlando CNA training faster by taking classwork online?
Possibly, but it really depends on your situation. Online CNA classes in Orlando can expedite the coursework component of your studies, but you still need to complete supervised clinical experiences in person. Length for these components is usually set by the school in consultation with students based on their preferences.
How to Become a CNA in Orlando
Once you complete your course of study, you can move to licensure and certification. All CNA candidates must complete the steps specified by the Florida Board of Nursing. This process is like that in other states and includes:
- Finishing a board-approved training program
- Submitting an electronic fingerprint form
- Successfully completing the Prometric CNA exam for Florida
- Submitting relevant fees and application materials to the Florida Board of Nursing
- Complying with the board’s code of professional ethics and continuing education requirements
For more detailed information on this, see our step-by-step guide on how to become a CNA in Florida.
Earnings Outlook: How Much Does a CNA Make in Orlando?
Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Orlando may help you earn slightly more than the state average. Within the entire state of Florida, CNAs make between $30,400 and $43,970 a year. In Orlando, that range increases to $30,400 to $45,730. Those who earn in the 10th percentile make about as much as they would elsewhere in the state, and the median salary is actually $140 lower in Orlando than in the state as a whole. Those in the 90th percentile, however, earn almost $2,000 more annually than the state average. To boost your chances of ending up in the 90th percentile, take courses or complete nursing clinicals in areas of nursing that you’re interested in. If, for example, you want to work as a CNA in a pediatrician's office, taking a few courses in pediatric nursing may help set your application apart and could be useful in salary negotiations.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $30,400 | $36,340 | $43,970 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $30,400 | $36,200 | $45,730 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
