CNA Classes & Programs in Gainesville, Florida
3 state-approved CNA programs in Gainesville, including free options. 4-week and online programs are offered in other Florida cities.
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CNA training in Gainesville
- Programs
- 3
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $39,410
- $18.95 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 2,680
- in the Gainesville region
- Healthcare facilities
- 24
- 9 nursing homes, 3 hospitals and 12 home health agencies
- Population
- 142,414
- residents
Sources: BLS OEWS (May 2023), CMS (July 2025).
On this page
What brings you here?
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Aspiring CNAs in Gainesville can choose from 3 state-approved CNA programs designed to prepare them for rewarding careers in patient care. Known as a college-town setting thanks to its university presence, Gainesville offers access to both academic resources and healthcare employers eager to hire newly certified professionals seeking hands-on experience.
The city’s CNA training programs emphasize skill-building aligned with Florida’s certification standards while offering flexible pathways—including free CNA classes—for eligible students pursuing entry into nursing assistant roles quickly or affordably. Gainesville’s location supports strong links between local education providers and prominent medical institutions throughout north-central Florida.
CNA courses here enable graduates to pursue state certification efficiently while exploring job options at hospitals or long-term care facilities across Gainesville and beyond.
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Browse CNA Classes in Gainesville
Students in Gainesville can choose from 3 CNA programs that prepare them for state registry placement through focused instruction aimed at Florida certification success. Free CNA training is available among these options—helping reduce barriers for those pursuing this career path—while all programs build practical caregiving skills needed by employers throughout Gainesville, where CNAs are valued members of healthcare teams.
Program Types in Gainesville
| Type | In Gainesville | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | 1 program | Santa Fe College ↓ |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Gainesville | See other Florida cities → |
| Online or hybrid | Not in Gainesville | See other Florida cities → |
| Evening or weekend | Not in Gainesville | See other Florida cities → |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
All 3 CNA programs in Gainesville
Lowest published cost first.
Santa Fe College
CostFreeHours165Weeks–
- Address
- 3000 Nw 83 Street, W-201B, Gainesville, FL 32606
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (352) 395-5731
Santa Fe College offers a 165 contact hour Nursing Assistant certificate with classroom, lab, and clinical training; classes meet in person Monday–Friday with clinicals twice per week at local facilities. Program costs are eligible for financial aid and the Florida Open Door Grant.
Visit websiteAcademy Of Health Professions
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 1900 Nw 13Th Street, Gainesville, FL 32609
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (352) 955-6707
Academy Of Health Professions is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteSaint Francis Catholic Academy Health School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 4100 Nw 115Th Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32605
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (352) 376-6545
Saint Francis Catholic Academy Health School is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteCost, hours and weeks are each school's published figures, so confirm them with the school. A dash means the school has not published it.
Not sure which of the 3 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Florida cities
All Florida cities with CNA programs →CNA Employment Opportunities in Gainesville
| Median annual pay | $39,410 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $18.95 |
| CNA jobs in the region | 2,680 |
| Salary region | Gainesville |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Gainesville are supported by a diverse healthcare sector, with approximately 2,680 certified nursing assistants employed according to recent workforce statistics. Local demand remains consistent across major hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies operating within Alachua County and surrounding areas.
CNA salary in Gainesville stands at a median annual rate of $39,410, or about $18.95 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. This regional figure surpasses Florida’s statewide median salary of $36,340 for CNAs by a noticeable margin—reflecting competitive compensation driven by local employer demand within the city’s active healthcare sector.
The city hosts several notable CMS-certified employers including Oak Hammock at the University of Florida—a nonprofit corporation with over 70 beds—and Gainesville Health & Rehabilitation, offering services across more than 100 beds as one of the larger local facilities. Major hospitals such as UF Health Shands Hospital (affiliated with a leading research university), VA North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Gainesville (veterans administration), and HCA Florida North Florida Hospital provide significant job opportunities alongside reputable home health agencies like Aveanna Home Health and Centerwell Home Health—all contributing to varied career paths available to newly licensed CNAs in Gainesville.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Gainesville (9 facilities)
9 nursing homes in Gainesville providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by CNA hours per resident per day (as provided by official data). Source: CMS nursing homes (July 2025)
| Nursing home | Beds | CNA hrs/day |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Hammock At The University Of Florida Inc2660 Sw 53Rd Ln(352) 548-1000Map | 73 | 3.2 |
| Gainesville Health & Rehabilitation4000 Sw 20Th Ave(352) 377-1981Map | 120 | 2.8 |
| Aviata At North Florida6700 Nw 10Th Place(352) 331-3111Map | 120 | 2.6 |
| Terrace Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center7207 Sw 24Th Ave(352) 333-0600Map | 138 | 2.3 |
| Plaza Health And Rehab4842 Sw Archer Road(352) 376-8821Map | 180 | 2.3 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Gainesville (3 facilities)
3 hospitals in Gainesville offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 3 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Uf Health Shands HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 1600 Sw Archer Rd(352) 265-0111Map | 4/5 |
| Va North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - GainesvilleAcute Care - Veterans Administration · 1601 S W Archer Road(352) 376-1611Map | 3/5 |
| Hca Florida North Florida HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 6500 W Newberry Rd(352) 333-4000Map | 2/5 |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Gainesville (12 facilities)
12 home health agencies in Gainesville providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 5 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Aveanna Home Health5800 Nw 39Th Ave Ste 104(352) 331-3280Map | 4.5/5 |
| Centerwell Home Health3951 Nw 48 Terr Ste 219(352) 376-3221Map | 4.5/5 |
| Alivia Home Health3870 Nw 83Rd St(352) 307-0073Map | 4.0/5 |
| Hca Florida Healthcare At Home3630 Sw 47Th Ave, Ste 200(352) 395-6424Map | 4.0/5 |
| Mederi Caretenders4923 Nw 43Rd St Ste A(352) 379-6217Map | 4.0/5 |
Sources
- Salary Data: BLS OEWS (May 2023)
- Healthcare Facilities: CMS (July 2025)
Working in Nearby Cities and Other States
Working in Nearby Cities
Looking beyond Gainesville? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Ocala, Williston, Jacksonville, Lake City, and Middleburg, or browse the Florida CNA programs page for more options.
Working in Other States
Planning to move or gain experience working in other states? Use our reciprocity guide to transfer your existing CNA license across states.
Working Through Agencies or as a Travel CNA
If you're already certified and would like to work through an agency or work as a travel CNA, browse here our directory of CNA agencies or simply fill out this short form to get matched with 3 personalized CNA agencies that can help you land your next job.
Requirements to Work as a CNA in Gainesville, FL
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Gainesville, you must meet the statewide CNA requirements set by Florida. These include completing a Florida Board of Nursing–approved Nursing Assistant Training Program, passing the state-approved competency exam administered by Prometric, and being listed on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry.
- At least 120 total hours of training (80 classroom/lab and 40 clinical hours, including a minimum of 20 hours in long-term care)
- Completion of 16 hours of required OBRA instruction before any direct patient contact
- Passing both the knowledge test (60 questions, 90 minutes) and the skills evaluation (five randomly selected skills)
- Up to three attempts per exam section before retraining is required
- Level II criminal background screening under Chapter 435, Florida Statutes
- Placement on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry after passing both exam components
Once certified, you may work in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers throughout Gainesville and across Florida. Licensed healthcare facilities may employ nurse aide trainees for up to 120 days while training and testing requirements are completed.
Already certified in another state? Florida offers certification by endorsement (reciprocity) for out-of-state CNAs who are active and in good standing. Applicants must meet Florida’s background screening requirements and may be required to pass the Florida competency exam if documentation is incomplete. Learn more in our CNA License Reciprocity in Florida guide.
For complete details on training, testing, renewal, and maintaining certification, see our full CNA License & Registration in Florida guide.
Career Growth & Advancement
Many CNAs use their experience as a stepping stone toward advanced healthcare careers:
- Specialized certifications (e.g., dementia care, medication aide)
- Promotion into shift supervisor or training coordinator roles
- Bridge programs to become an LPN or RN
- Opportunities in healthcare administration or education
Ready to start? Get info from CNA schools in Gainesville.
Free to use. No obligation to enroll. Compare multiple programs. We may earn a fee when you request information from schools.
Frequently Asked Questions about CNA Classes in Gainesville
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Gainesville?
Most CNA programs in Gainesville can be completed in 4–12 weeks, depending on whether you choose a traditional, accelerated, or weekend schedule.
How much does CNA training cost in Gainesville?
Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Gainesville directly for their current costs. One program is free or employer-paid. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Gainesville?
Yes. Santa Fe College offers free or employer-paid CNA training. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may also offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Gainesville?
No program in Gainesville is listed with online classes. Online and hybrid programs are offered in other Florida cities. Clinical training is always in person.
Are there any 4-week CNA classes in Gainesville?
No 4-week program is listed in Gainesville. 4-week CNA programs are offered in other Florida cities, usually in 3 to 5 weeks.
Which nearby cities are there for CNA classes and job opportunities?
Near Gainesville there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Ocala, Williston, Jacksonville, Lake City and Middleburg. You can also look at the Florida state page to find more.
How do I get listed on the Florida CNA registry?
To work as a CNA in Florida, you must be added to the official state registry. See our Florida CNA registry guide for step-by-step instructions.
Where do CNAs work in Gainesville?
CNAs in Gainesville are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 9 nursing homes, 3 hospitals and 12 home health agencies in Gainesville. Many also use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to LPN or RN careers.
Information accuracy: requirements, salary data and other information are compiled from official sources but can change. Please confirm with the school or the state before making decisions. If you spot a mistake, let us know.