CNA Classes & Programs in Lake City, Florida
2 state-approved CNA programs in Lake City, including evening and weekend options. Free, 4-week and online programs are offered in other Florida cities.
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CNA training in Lake City
- Programs
- 2
- state-approved
- Median CNA pay
- $36,340
- $17.47 an hour
- CNA jobs
- 89,699
- across Florida
- Healthcare facilities
- 10
- 4 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 4 home health agencies
- Population
- 12,307
- 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.
Lake City offers 2 CNA programs that allow prospective nursing assistants to train locally while preparing for Florida certification exams. As a regional hub situated between Gainesville and Jacksonville along major transportation routes in North Florida, Lake City provides access to valuable educational resources right in town.
CNA classes here cover foundational clinical skills required by employers across multiple settings including skilled nursing facilities like Solaris Healthcare Lake City as well as acute-care hospitals such as Hca Florida Lake City Hospital and VA North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Lake City campus—all notable options employing certified nurse aides after graduation.
Statewide in Florida, CNAs earn around $36,340 annually; city-specific salary data is not available so statewide figures provide the best reference at this time.
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Browse CNA Classes in Lake City
Students in Lake City can choose from 2 CNA programs that prepare them for placement on the Florida registry through hands-on clinical instruction and exam-focused coursework. These CNA training programs help students gain practical experience while supporting career advancement into settings where certified nurse aides remain vital members of healthcare teams locally and beyond.
Program Types in Lake City
| Type | In Lake City | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Free or employer-paid | Not in Lake City | See other Florida cities → |
| 4-week (accelerated) | Not in Lake City | See other Florida cities → |
| Online or hybrid | Not in Lake City | See other Florida cities → |
| Evening or weekend | 1 program | Florida Gateway College (FGC) ↓ |
A program can appear under more than one type. Counts come from each program's published details.
Both CNA programs in Lake City
Lowest published cost first.
Columbia High School
Cost–Hours–Weeks–
- Address
- 469 Se Fighting Tiger Dr., Lake City, FL 32025
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (386) 755-8080
Columbia High School is a state-approved CNA training provider. Contact them directly for program details and enrollment information.
Visit websiteFlorida Gateway College (FGC)
Cost–Hours–Weeks16
- Address
- 149 S.E. College Place, Lake City, FL 32025
Open in Google Maps - Phone
- (386) 752-1822
- Schedule
- Evening and weekend classes
FGC’s Nursing Assistant (Articulated) combines classroom, lab, and clinical instruction over a 16-week period on the main campus; clinical assignments may occur on weekdays, evenings, or weekends. A Level II background check and drug/alcohol screening are required and students are responsible for related additional costs.
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 2 programs fits you?
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Explore CNA Programs in Other Cities
Nearby cities
Major Florida cities
- Jacksonville6 programs
- Miami13 programs
- Tampa3 programs
- Orlando3 programs
- St. Petersburg1 program
- Port St. Lucie4 programs
CNA Employment Opportunities in Lake City
| Median annual pay | $36,340 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay | $17.47 |
| CNA jobs across Florida | 89,699 |
| Salary region | Florida (statewide) |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2023), median wages for nursing assistants.
CNA jobs in Lake City remain consistent due to its position as a medical service center within North Central Florida’s network of hospitals and long-term care providers. While specific local employment figures aren’t available outside statewide totals, demand persists among facilities serving both city residents and neighboring rural communities seeking qualified staff members with current credentials.
Statewide in Florida, CNAs earn around $36,340 each year (median), or about $17.47 per hour based on BLS OEWS (May 2023) data. City-specific salary data is not available at this time; thus statewide numbers provide the most accurate reference point when evaluating earning potential after completion of a Lake City-based CNA program.
A range of CMS-certified employers call Lake City home: Solaris Healthcare Lake City (120 beds), Lake Montgomery Health and Rehabilitation Center (95 beds), Lake City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (113 beds), Baya Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (90 beds), Hca Florida Lake City Hospital (acute-care), VA North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Lake City campus (Veterans Administration hospital), plus home health agencies like Centerwell Home Health and Concierge Home Care—all offering diverse work settings supporting new graduates entering direct patient care roles locally.
Nursing Homes Hiring CNAs in Lake City (4 facilities)
4 nursing homes in Lake City providing CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Solaris Healthcare Lake City560 Sw Mcfarlane Ave(386) 758-4777Map | 120 | 2.3 |
| Lake Montgomery Health And Rehabilitation Center1270 Sw Main Blvd(386) 752-7900Map | 95 | 2.1 |
| Lake City Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center298 Sw Prosperity Place(386) 269-3900Map | 113 | 2.0 |
| Baya Pointe Nursing And Rehabilitation Center587 Se Ermine Ave(386) 752-7800Map | 90 | 2.0 |
Hospitals Hiring CNAs in Lake City (2 facilities)
2 hospitals in Lake City offering CNA employment opportunities. Showing top 2 facilities ranked by overall rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS hospitals (July 2025)
| Hospital | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hca Florida Lake City HospitalAcute Care Hospitals · 340 Nw Commerce Dr(386) 719-9000Map | 2/5 |
| Va North Florida/South Georgia Healthcare System - Lake CityAcute Care - Veterans Administration · 619 South Marion Avenue(386) 755-3016Map | – |
Home Health Agencies Hiring CNAs in Lake City (4 facilities)
4 home health agencies in Lake City providing CNA career opportunities. Showing top 4 facilities ranked by quality rating (as provided by official data). Source: CMS home health agencies (July 2025)
| Agency | Quality |
|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health419 Sw State Road 247 Ste 109(386) 758-3490Map | 4.0/5 |
| Concierge Home Care1140 Sw Bascom Norris Drive(386) 626-0020Map | 4.0/5 |
| Suwannee Medical Personnel1852 Sw Barnett Way Ste 103(386) 755-1544Map | 1.5/5 |
| Therapycare Home Health Llc404 Nw Hall Of Fame Dr(386) 754-6671Map | – |
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 Lake City? Explore CNA programs and jobs in Lake Butler, Live Oak, Cross City, Chiefland, and Bell, 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 Lake City, FL
To work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Lake City, 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 Lake City 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 Lake City.
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 Lake City
How long does it take to complete a CNA program in Lake City?
The shortest published length here is 16 weeks, at Florida Gateway College (FGC).
How much does CNA training cost in Lake City?
Prices differ by school, so ask the CNA programs in Lake City directly for their current costs. Some schools and healthcare employers may cover the cost or reimburse you after hiring.
Are there free CNA classes in Lake City?
No program in Lake City is listed as free. Free CNA classes are offered in other Florida cities. Some hospitals, nursing homes, and workforce programs may offer free CNA training in exchange for a work commitment.
Are there online CNA training options available in Lake City?
No program in Lake City 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 Lake City?
No 4-week program is listed in Lake City. 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 Lake City there are several other cities with CNA classes and job opportunities, such as Lake Butler, Live Oak, Cross City, Chiefland and Bell. 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 Lake City?
CNAs in Lake City are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare facilities. CMS lists 4 nursing homes, 2 hospitals and 4 home health agencies in Lake City. 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.