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Free CNA Training
Get hired/trained as a CNA or PCT
in 6 weeks or less!

CNA Training in
Bradenton, Florida

If you hope to work in the healthcare industry in Florida, Premier Nursing Academy offers free CNA classes for students in the Bradenton and Sarasota areas. In just six weeks, our state-approved CNA program prepares Bradenton-area candidates for their CNA certification and entry-level healthcare positions. Students who match with a local employment partner are eligible to attend our CNA training program. Our graduates pay no out-of-pocket tuition expenses and are provisionally able to begin working for their employer as soon as they’re enrolled and all employment requirements have been met.

Our Bradenton location opened in November 2020 and is the second Premier Nursing Academy branch in Florida. Our expert team is thrilled to provide our state-approved CNA classes focused on career readiness to up-and-coming healthcare professionals like you. After completing our training program and getting a CNA license, our students begin their careers in entry-level healthcare positions, such as nursing assistants, patient care technicians, and home health aides.

You can choose between morning, afternoon, and evening course schedules based on your needs. Learn more about our CNA classes below, including upcoming start dates and our instructors.

Find Our Free CNA Classes Near You

Our campus in Bradenton connects students with employer partners in Bradenton and nearby cities, including Sarasota, Sun City, Palmetto, and more.

We also offer free CNA classes in Pinellas Park for students preferring employment in Tampa, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, and other surrounding areas.

map-section
Premier Nursing Academy – Bradenton
5720 14th St. W
Bradenton, FL 34207

941.217.7360

How to find us: We are located in the Southwood Shoppes Shopping Mall

Apply Now!

Upcoming Class Start Dates

Morning classes
Monday – Thursday
7:30 am – 12:30 pm
Evening classes
Monday – Thursday
5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Start DateMorningEvening
1/30/2023
3/13/2023
4/24/2023

Apply Now!


About Our CNA Program

Premier Nursing Academy’s CNA instruction is offered in multiple schedule formats to accommodate students with different needs. Our CNA program provides a combination of classroom and on-site clinical education. This ensures that our graduates are ready to sit for the certified nursing assistant exam and find career success in CNA, PCT, HHA, and other entry-level healthcare roles.

Students are encouraged to begin working with their employer while attending our training program. After graduates have completed our Florida Board of Nursing-approved course of instruction, they have the skills and are able to continue working for their matched employer even before passing the Nurse Aide Exam.

  • Morning, afternoon, and night classes available
  • 6 weeks training
    Sessions run Monday – Thursday
    5 instructional hours per day
  • 120 instructional hours
    80 hours of classroom-based didactic learning
    40 hours of hands-on clinical-based instruction, mostly conducted on-site with your employer

What is a CNA?

Nursing assistants provide basic patient care and perform administrative tasks under registered nurses’ watchful eyes. Their jobs may include completing paperwork and updating records, taking vitals, and helping patients with everyday needs.

Becoming a CNA could be the first step in your medical career, or you could choose it as a lifelong job.

How to Become a CNA in Bradenton

Becoming a CNA in Florida, including Bradenton, is done in an unusual way. Unlike many other states, Florida is a “challenge state,” meaning you don’t need to complete training (under one of the three possible routes) to become a CNA.  However, you need to pass a state-administered test and meet other requirements, some of which do include training. These requirements are:

  • Finishing a training program and passing your nursing assistant competency exam; OR
  • Reaching at least the age of 18, having a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and passing the nursing assistant competency exam; OR
  • Undergoing a program via the Enterprise Florida Jobs and Education Partnership Grant and passing the nursing assistant competency exam

While the idea of only passing an exam to become a CNA may be appealing, it’s worth remembering many employers prefer fully-trained CNAs.

Are you currently a nursing student in Florida?
Check our our new resources guides made for students in Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Bradenton!

Pros and Cons of Being a CNA in Bradenton

With several award-winning hospitals, beautiful beaches, a creative community, and glorious weather year-round, Sarasota-Bradenton is a fantastic place to begin your new healthcare career.

Bradenton is part of Sarasota’s municipal area, and Sarasota has a lot going for it. This Florida region may make you think of its healthy retirement community—which is, of course, partly due to the dedicated efforts of healthcare workers just like you. In fact, in a 2020 study, U.S News Report named Sarasota the best place to retire, the 16th best place to live in the country, and the second-best place to live in Florida.

But Sarasota isn’t just for retirees—there’s so much more for all ages to enjoy. The area is renowned for its cultural and environmental amenities, bustling resorts, and vibrant art community. With so many beaches to choose from and sunshine year-round, residents and visitors alike can enjoy a wide number of outdoor activities and sports, including scuba diving, fishing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking.

For those who prefer to stay on dry land, the area also offers wonderful museums, parks, restaurants, and other areas to explore. You can visit the Village of the Arts, which features an eclectic collection of colorfully restored 1920s and ’30s cottages, join the hustle and bustle of the city’s busy downtown area, or take a stroll along the Riverwalk to soak up the scenic views.

In terms of job prospects for healthcare workers, Sarasota is an ideal locale to launch a career, with several hospitals and over 80 assisted living facilities in the county. And jobs in Florida are projected to grow by 11% between 2018 and 2018, which is above the national average of 8%. That translates to over 12,000 new positions over the next several years.

Sarasota-Bradenton also offers healthcare workers several award-winning facilities to choose from, including Sarasota Memorial Hospital, recently named the sixth-best in Florida by U.S. News & World Report magazine and ranked among the best healthcare facilities in the world by Newsweek magazine three times.

But what about the downsides? It can’t all be sunny skies, can it? In fact, it is—but for some, that can be a minus. When asked what they disliked about living in the city, Sarasota-Bradenton residents mention the high humidity and the lack of seasons, as well as heavy traffic. But if you love hot weather, Sarasota-Bradenton could be the perfect spot for you.

How Much do CNAs Make in Bradenton and the Surrounding Areas?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, CNAs in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton area earned an average salary of $30,380 in 2021. This pay is higher than the state average of $29,840 but just below the national average of $33,250.

Average CNA salaries in the Sarasota-Bradenton area range from $23,450 to $37,460. As with most professions, the amount you can earn as a CNA varies based not just on your amount of training or years worked but also on where you work. For instance, if you work in a specialized hospital, you may earn more than those working in assisted living facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about training to be a CNA with Premier Nursing Academy.

Are your CNA classes really free?

Yes! Our training program is completely free. Your employer sponsor pays for the cost of your training in exchange for working for them after you graduate.

How long is your CNA program?

Our CNA program is six weeks long. Classes are held Monday through Thursday, and we offer three different class schedules to fit our students’ needs.

What are the requirements for your free CNA training program?

To enroll in training, applicants be at least 18 years old and have earned a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They must also pass a background check, complete a tuberculosis test, and have a valid state driver’s license or other proof of identification. For more information, visit our program requirements page.

How much does the CNA exam cost?

The standard fee for the Nurse Aide Exam is $155. Your employer covers the cost of your first CNA exam attempt. After this, you may retake the exam twice more at your own expense.

Benefits of Starting Your Healthcare Career With Premier Nursing Academy

There are many reasons why becoming a CNA with Premier Nursing Academy is the best way to start your nursing career. First of all, our instructors are the best in the field—in 2021, our Florida students had the highest number of first-time exam passes in the state!

We’re also conscious of the potential expenses of medical training. The average national cost of training to become a CNA ranges from $600 to $2,000. However, at PNA, training is free, meaning you’ll enter your new career with no student debt.

Training to become a CNA with us can open the door to various other CNA career paths in nursing. Many Registered Nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs now require students to have their CNA licenses before they begin. Medical school can also be incredibly competitive, and the experience gained by working as a CNA can help you stand ahead of the crowd.

CNA training also enables you to understand the fundamentals of healthcare better, helping you perform well in future roles—whether as an RN, a licensed practical nurse, a physician assistant, or even a doctor.

Our Employer Partners Have CNA Jobs Near You

Premier Nursing Academy is proud to have placed graduates with these Bradenton-area employers and many others.

Acadia
Desoto Health-Rehab
4725 Nursing Home Drive Acadia, FL 34266
Bradenton
Braden River Rehabilitation Center
2010 Manatee Ave East Bradenton, FL 34208
(941) 747-3706
Bradenton Health Care
6305 Cortex Road West Bradenton, FL 34210
Casa Mora Rehabilitatoin & Extended Care
1902 59th Street West Bradenton, FL 34209
Manatee Memorial Hospital
206 2nd Street East Bradenton, FL 34208
Manatee Springs Rehab and Nursing Center
5627 9th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 753-8941
Right at Home
548 48th Street Court East Bradenton, FL 34208
Surrey Place of Bradenton
5525 21st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209
The Inn at Freedom Village
6410 21st Street Avenue A Bradenton, FL 34209
Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Palmetto
Sovereign Healthcare of Palmetto / Riviera Palms
926 Haben Boulevard Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 721-0384
Port Charlotte
Signature HealthCARE of Port Charlotte
4033 Beaver Lane Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Sarasota
Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life
1951 Nhonore Avenue Sarasota, FL 34235
(941) 377-0781
Brookdale Palmer Ranch
5111 Palmer Ranch Parkway Sarasota, FL 34238
Care Connections at Home
2201 Canctu Court Suite 110 Sarasota, FL 34232
Hawthorne Village Healthcare and Rehabilitation
5381 Desoto Road Sarasota, FL 34235
(941) 355-6111
Heartland Health Care and Rehabilitation Center
5401 Sawyer Road Sarasota, FL 34233
Heartland Health Care Center – North Sarasota
3250 12th Street Sarasota, FL 34237
Magnolia Health and Rehabilitation Center
1507 South Tuttle Avenue Sarasota, FL 34239
ManorCare Health Servcies – Sarasota
5511 Swift Road Sarasota, FL 34231
Sarasota Health and Rehabilitation Center
1524 South East Avenue Sarasota, FL 34239
Sarasota Point Rehababilitation Center
2600 Courtland Street Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 331-4362
The Meadows Center for Nursing and Healing
5157 Park Club Drive Sarasota, FL 34235
The Springs at Lake Pointe Woods
3280 Lake Pointe Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34231
Sun City
Freedom Plaza
1010 American Eagle Boulevard Sun City, FL 33573
(813) 280-5009
Palm Garden of Sun City Center
3850 Upper Creek Drive Sun City Center, FL 33573
Venice
AdviniaCare of Venice
950 Pinebrook Road Venice, FL 34285
Orchid Cove at Venice
1240 Pinebrook Road Venice, FL 34285

Admissions At a Glance

1. Fill out an admissions inquiry form

Submit a form with basic contact info and our admissions team will be in touch.

Get Started

2. Complete an application

Your admissions representative will explain what other info to provide to meet program requirements.

3. Match with an employer partner

Our team will set up interviews so that you can find the best match for your post-graduation job.

4. Submit supplemental paperwork

Once you’re sending in some final paperwork, you’re almost ready to start at Premier Nursing Academy.

5. Start class

Get ready for Day One of your new life and career.

Meet Our Team

Susan Mitchell, RN |Instructor
Sue began with Premier Nursing Academy – Bradenton in 2021. Before joining the team, she spent 23 years as a registered nurse …

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Lasonya Mitchell|Instructor
Dahman Mckinnon |Admissions Specialist
Dahman has been working for the Bradenton Premier Nursing Academy location since October 2020. A graduate of Virginia Tech, he has a …

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Matthew Mercandetti|Placement Specialist

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Premier Nursing Academy
Bradenton
5720 14th St. W
Bradenton, FL 34207
941.217.7360
Premier Nursing Academy
Pinellas Park
6477 102nd Ave.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
727.300.2464

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