CNA Classes in Pinellas Park, Florida
Premier Nursing Academy’s free CNA training is offered to candidates in and around the Tampa metro area. After graduates have completed our Florida Board of Nursing-approved CNA program, they have the skills and are provisionally able to work for their matched employer even before passing the Nurse Aide Exam and receiving their CNA license.
Upon passing the exam and completing other state requirements, you’ll be a fully licensed certified nursing assistant in Florida. CNA certification qualifies you for numerous entry-level healthcare career options, including nursing assistants and patient care technicians (PCTs).
Our Pinellas Park location launched in July 2019 as Premier Nursing Academy’s first Florida branch. Our free CNA classes take 6 weeks to complete. We offer three different class schedules to accommodate students with different needs. Consult our class schedule below to see upcoming class start dates and get to know our instructors.
Find Our Free CNA Classes Near You
Our campus in Pinellas Park connects students with employer partners in Tampa and nearby cities, including Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, and more.
We also offer free CNA classes in Bradenton for students who want to work in Bradenton, Sarasota, Sun City, Palmetto, and the surrounding areas. Additionally, we have more CNA classes in Tampa.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Hours
Mon – Thurs,
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Upcoming Class Start Dates
Monday – Thursday
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Monday – Thursday
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
(plus, 4 hours of self-directed learning)
| Start Date | Morning | Evening |
| 1/1/2024 |  | |
| 2/5/2024 | | |
About Our CNA Training Program
Premier Nursing Academy’s CNA program provides a combination of classroom and on-site clinical education. This ensures that our graduates are both work-ready to be successful in their careers, as well as meet all state-required training hours needed to sit for certified nursing assistant exams.
Accepted students receive 100% subsidized training and are provisionally able to begin working for their employer as soon as they’re enrolled. In addition, our health provider employer partners gain a new supply of talented and trained employees.
- Morning, afternoon, and night classes are 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?
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are supervised by registered nurses and provide basic patient care. They help with everything from paperwork to assisting patients with daily needs and activities. CNAs may also take vitals, dispense medications, and aid nurses in simple treatments, among other activities.
Some people choose to be lifelong CNAs, while others use this as the first step in their medical career paths.
How to Become a CNA in Tampa
CNA requirements in Tampa are the same as those across the rest of the state.
Florida is a “challenge state,” meaning you don’t need to complete a certain number of training hours to become a CNA. Instead, you only need to pass a state exam and meet some other basic requirements, including:
- Completing an approved training program and passing the nursing assistant competency exam; OR
- Being at least 18 years old with 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 “challenge state” factor may sound great, employers generally prefer to hire applicants who completed training before taking their tests.
Are you currently a nursing student in Florida?
Check out our new resource guides made for students in Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Bradenton!
Pros and Cons of Being a CNA in Tampa
Tampa might be the perfect place to start your new healthcare career. It has sunny skies, beautiful beaches, tons of activities, and award-winning hospitals.
The city has a substantial retired community. Still, it has a considerable amount to offer younger residents.
Tampa has bustling art and music scene, with concerts, exhibitions, and festivals year-round. Whether you’re into music, film, food, or something else, there’s sure to be an event for you.
The city is also an excellent spot for sports fans. It has four pro teams:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
- Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
- Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL)
Those who would rather play sports themselves are also in luck. Thanks to Tampa’s year-round sunshine, you can bike, surf, boat, and fish at any time. Imagine a day at the beach in January—in Tampa, it can happen!
The area isn’t just appealing for its recreational activities, either. Healthcare employment opportunities also make Tampa a great place to be.
O*Net predicts that between 2020 and 2030, CNA jobs in Florida will grow by 10%, which is above the national average of 5%.
The city has many award-winning healthcare facilities like Tampa General Hospital. That facility was named the 71st best hospital in the world by Newsweek.
Wages for CNAs in Tampa are below the national average, at $29,840 per year. But, the city’s cost of living is 5% below the national average.
Housing is also reported to be 11% less expensive in Tampa than in other cities across the country.
Plus, Florida is one of seven U.S. states with no income tax.
Living in a hot climate does have some downsides, though. For instance, running your air conditioning year-round can be expensive. For some, venturing into the humidity can feel overwhelming.
Residents also complain about the lack of mass transit. But, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties have public bus and trolley systems.
If you’re a fan of sunny skies and want a lower living cost, Tampa could be a great spot for you.
How Much do CNAs make in Tampa and the Surrounding Areas?
Nursing assistants in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area median of $29,240 per year. This is above the state median of $29,070 but below the national median of $30,310. But, as mentioned above, the cost of living in Tampa is lower than average.
CNA salaries in the area range from $23,260 to $37,000. The amount you earn depends on factors like location, facility, and experience level.
For instance, a seasoned CNA in a specialized environment may earn more than a new CNA in a general setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to know more? Then, carry on to find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about training to be a CNA with Premier Nursing Academy.
Are Premier Nursing Academy’s CNA classes really free?
Yes, Premier Nursing Academy’s classes are free! Our training program is free for students. Your employer sponsor pays for the cost of your training.
How long is the Premier Nursing Academy CNA program?
The Pinellas Premier Nursing Academy CNA program takes six weeks to complete. Classes run Monday through Thursday on three schedules to help fit students’ needs.
You can find more information on upcoming campus class schedules here.
What are the requirements for Premier Nursing Academy’s free CNA training program?
As per state regulations, applicants to our CNA program must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED.
After training, your employer may need new CNAs, PCTs, or other workers to undergo a background check and tuberculosis test. They might also have other requirements like drug screens as well.
You can find more information on our program requirements page.
How much does the CNA exam cost?
The typical fee for the Nurse Aide Exam is $155. Your employer covers the cost of your first CNA exam attempt. After that, the exam may be retaken up to two more times at your own expense.
Benefits of Starting Your Healthcare Career With Premier Nursing Academy
Premier Nursing Academy CNA training is the best way to start a nursing career.
We have the best instructors in the field and provide the most enriching, enjoyable learning experience possible. In fact, in 2021, our students had the highest number of first-time exam passers in Florida.
And we do all that without the financial worries that often go with vocational training.
The average national cost of training to be a CNA ranges from $600 to $2,000. At PNA, we’re aware of the financial stress students may face when they should be able to focus on learning. Because of this, we’ve made our program free—meaning you may enter your new career with no student debt.
When you train to be a CNA, you learn skills that can also take you into various other job roles. Some Registered Nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs even need students to have CNA licenses!
Medical school is also competitive. The experience and skills gained by becoming a CNA with Premier Nursing Academy may give you a boost.
Our Employer Partners Have CNA Jobs Near You
We partner with healthcare employers all over the greater Tampa metro area. Depending on your location, there may be multiple facilities to choose from. You can fill out our form to speak with an admissions representative and find out which options are available for you.
Premier Nursing Academy is proud to have placed graduates with these Tampa Bay-area employers and many others.
Admissions At a Glance
Meet Our Team
Student Testimonials
Featured Employers
