South Florida State College CNA Program

Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through healthcare? The Nursing Assistant program at South Florida State College (SFSC) in Avon Park, Florida provides an excellent pathway to enter the healthcare field. This program equips students with essential skills to provide direct patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses in a variety of healthcare settings.

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate exploring healthcare career options or an adult learner seeking a career change, SFSC’s Nursing Assistant training prepares you to become a compassionate caregiver. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to take the Florida Nursing Assistant Certification examination, opening doors to employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics throughout Florida.

CNA Program Quick Facts

• Program Length: 165 hours total (90 hours Introduction to Healthcare + 75 hours Nursing Assistant)
• Cost of Program: $88.50 per credit hour for Florida residents; $351.30 per credit hour for non-Florida residents, plus additional fees for background checks, immunizations, and testing
• Accreditation: Approved by the Florida Board of Nursing
• State Exam Pass Rate: Contact the program directly for information
• CNA Program Schedule: Various options including Monday/Friday evenings and Sunday full days (approximately 12 weeks); daytime options may also be available at different campuses

CNA Training Structure

• Classroom Learning
  The program consists of two separate courses totaling 165 hours. The first is a 90-hour Introduction to Healthcare course covering healthcare fundamentals. This is followed by a 75-hour Nursing Assistant course focusing on specific nursing assistant duties. Topics covered include personal care, patient mobility, activities associated with nutrition and hydration, maintaining safe patient environments, and collecting basic patient data.
• Clinical Experience
  Students participate in clinical rotations in healthcare facilities where they apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These hands-on experiences allow students to practice essential nursing assistant skills under supervision. Students must complete a four-hour American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers course before entering the clinical portion.
• Exam Preparation
  The program provides the information and skills practice necessary to build knowledge and confidence to help students succeed in taking the Florida Nursing Assistant Certification examination. The curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students for both the written and skills components of the state exam.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in the Nursing Assistant program at South Florida State College, prospective students must complete several requirements:

• Complete a series of medical forms that must be taken to and completed by a physician:
  • Physical examination form
  • Student health history form
  • Immunization/titer records including TB test results
  • Essential technical standards form
  • Hepatitis acknowledgment and waiver (must be notarized)
• Obtain required immunizations prior to clinical rotations:
  • Flu vaccination
  • COVID-19 vaccination (required before clinical rotations)
  • Other standard immunizations documented on the Student Immunization form
• Complete background check and drug screening:
  • Fingerprinting/background check (fee approximately $82.21)
  • Drug screening (fee approximately $40.00)
  • Note: Students who do not pass background or drug screening will not be accepted into the program
• Additional requirements:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from American Heart Association or American Red Cross
  • Students must purchase required textbooks
  • College ID and parking decal

Please contact the program directly for the most up-to-date admission requirements and documentation procedures.

CNA Class Schedule & Flexibility

SFSC’s Nursing Assistant program offers different scheduling options to accommodate various student needs:

• The program is typically offered as evening/weekend classes:
  • Monday and Friday evenings
  • Full-day Sunday sessions
  • Program lasts approximately 12 weeks in this format
• Daytime options may also be available at different SFSC campuses
  • For example, a summer program was offered at the Hardee Campus in Bowling Green
• Start dates vary throughout the year:
  • Programs begin as cohorts are formed (when 8 students complete required forms)
  • The college aims to conduct a course each semester

For the most current schedule information and upcoming start dates, contact the SFSC Corporate Education and Training department at 863-453-6661.

Tuition & Financial Aid Information

The Nursing Assistant program at South Florida State College involves several costs:

Tuition and Fees:

• Post Secondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) tuition: $88.50 per credit hour for Florida residents; $351.30 per credit hour for non-Florida residents
• This includes:
  • Matriculation: $73.20
  • Student Financial Aid Fee: $7.20
  • Technology Fee: $3.60
  • Capital Improvement Fee: $3.60
  • Access Fee: $0.90

Additional Costs:

• Background check/fingerprinting: $82.21
• Drug screening: $40.00
• Physical examination and immunizations: Approximately $100.00
• Textbooks: Three required books (prices vary)
• BLS certification: Fee varies
• State certification exam fee (Prometric): Approximately $35.00

Financial Aid Options:

• Scholarships are available for the Nursing Assistant program through various sources:
  • CareerSource Heartland: For unemployed or underemployed Heartland residents (contact 863-385-3672 ext. 1331)
  • Panther Youth Partners program: For unemployed/underemployed students under age 24
  • Agricultural workers and their families may qualify for assistance with tuition, textbooks, and more

The program length makes it ineligible for federal financial aid. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 784-7134 or email [email protected] for additional information about financial assistance options.

How to Apply

To enroll in the Nursing Assistant program at South Florida State College, follow these steps:

1. Complete the SFSC Nursing Assistant Candidate Checklist
2. Submit required medical forms (Forms A-E):
   • Form A: Student Essential Technical Standards (completed by medical provider)
   • Form B: Student Health History (completed by student)
   • Form C: Student FERPA Release Form (must be notarized)
   • Form D: Physical Examination Form (completed by medical provider)
   • Form E: Student Immunization Form (completed by medical provider)
3. Complete background check and drug screening as instructed by program staff
4. Purchase required textbooks and obtain BLS certification
5. Attend all scheduled classes and clinical sessions

To register for these courses, visit the Welcome Center at any SFSC campus (Highlands Campus in Avon Park, Hardee Campus in Bowling Green, DeSoto Campus in Arcadia, or Lake Placid Center), or call the Welcome Center at 863-784-7405.

CNA Program Location & Contact Information

• Institution name: South Florida State College
• Address: 600 West College Drive, Avon Park, FL 33825
• Phone Number: 863-453-6661
• Welcome Center: 863-784-7405
• Email: For nursing program inquiries, contact program coordinators directly (specific contact email varies by campus)
• Website: https://www.southflorida.edu/current-students/degrees-programs/special-programs/corporate-education-training/nursing-assistant

Additional campus locations offering the program:

• Hardee Campus: 863-784-7060
• DeSoto Campus: Call for information
• Lake Placid Center: Call for information

Additional Resources

• Nursing Assistant Candidate Checklist: A comprehensive guide to help students track their progress through the application and enrollment process
• Student Essential Technical Standards Form: Details the physical and technical capabilities required for the program
• Student Health History Form: Medical history documentation required for program entry
• Student FERPA Release Form: Authorization to share educational records
• Physical Examination Form: Medical clearance documentation
• Student Immunization Form: Documentation of required vaccinations and health screenings

These forms are available on the SFSC Nursing Assistant program webpage or by contacting the program coordinator.

Summary and Next Steps

The Nursing Assistant program at South Florida State College offers a direct pathway to a rewarding healthcare career in just 165 hours of training. Through comprehensive classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience, you’ll develop the essential skills needed to provide compassionate care to patients in various healthcare settings across Florida.

As a nursing assistant, you’ll touch people’s lives in meaningful ways every day, providing essential care that supports the nursing team and leads to the best outcomes for patients. This entry-level position not only allows you to make an immediate difference but can also serve as a stepping stone for future advancement in healthcare.

Before you decide, make sure you’re choosing the right CNA program for your goals.
Compare multiple schools, costs, and start dates near you.