Page 14 - South Florida Hospital News Nov 2021

HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

Certified Nursing Assistant:

Shortage of a Valuable Member of the Healthcare Team

The need for Certified of Nursing requiring a plished in a short period of time while (LPN) or registered nurse (RN). “Earn
Nursing Assistants (CNAs) background screening assisting these members of the commu- while you learn” can certainly be a goal
in Florida is at a critical level and a testing fee of $155. nity to be employed and improve socioe- for the CNA as employers seeking to up-
as the population ages and CNA students participate conomic status. This collaboration with skill employees may consider financial
comorbidities become more in both classroom and continuing education is to offer CNA support while completing a nursing
prevalent. clinical experiences to training at both the Medical Campus degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor become competent mem- located in the heart of the health district CNAs are a valuable member of the
Statistics projects approxi- bers of the healthcare and the south Homestead Campus with a healthcare team working with registered
mately 174,000 job openings team culminating in a goal to expand into other zip codes in nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners,
for CNAs each year between CNA certification exam. the near future. and ancillary services. Working under
2019 and 2029. The project- Afford ability is certainly a Nursing students are provided with the supervision of the RN or LPN, the
ed growth for CNAs is fore- strength as the financial contacts for employment in many areas role of the CNA includes assisting indi-
casted at 6.9% over the next BY DR. TOMMIE L. and time commitment is such as hospitals, clinics, extended care, viduals with activities of daily living,
few years in Florida. CNAs NORRIS, DNS, RN, less than an academic and community/home health. Profess - monitoring vital signs, feeding, and
are in very high demand in degree. With the growing ional opportunities for CNAs are assisting with ambulation are just a few
Florida-second only to job market, the decision brighter than ever with the career ladder of the skills provided by the CNA. CNAs
California in employing to become a CNA offers presented to all candidates. The support have the opportunity to impact the lives
CNAs. Employers often search the CNA many opportunities. and resources now provided to these stu- of people based on the care provided in
registry to fill these high demand posi- Miami Dade College is meeting the dents are coupled with community needs an environment that adds to their knowl-
tions, so becoming certified provides a challenge to remedy the CNA shortage in for immediate employment upon gradu- edge in a rapidly growing healthcare
distinct advantage. South Florida by providing an entry ation. industry.
The starting salary of over $27,000 can pathway for CNAs through continuing MDC is developing pathways for
be increased with experience and acqui- education. The Benjamin Leon School CNAs to gain academic credit through Dr. Tommie L. Norris, DNS, RN, is an
sition of skills such as phlebotomy. CNA partnered with continuing education to prior learning assessment that includes AACN Leadership for Academic Nursing
certification falls under the auspice of meet the needs of the community and work experience providing a career lad- Fellow, Miami Dade College, and Dean,
the Florida Department of Health/Board provide a career that can be accom- der to become a licensed practical nurse Benjamín Leon School of Nursing.

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14 November 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News