CNA Jobs in Florida: How to Pick Up Shifts Without a Staffing Agency

You Don't Need a Staffing Agency to Find CNA Work in Florida

If you're a CNA in Florida, you've probably dealt with at least one staffing agency. They promise steady work, they take your resume, and then they skim 30-60% off your pay rate before you ever see a check. You work the shift. They keep half the money.

Here's the alternative. Florida CNAs are increasingly working per diem — picking up individual shifts directly through platforms like ShiftCura — and keeping 90% of every dollar they earn. ShiftCura takes a flat 10% platform fee, and that's it. No agency markup. No recruiter deciding your schedule. No middleman between you and your next paycheck.

That difference — 10% instead of 30-60% — is the biggest raise most Florida caregivers will ever get, and it comes without changing a single thing about the work itself. Same shifts. Same facilities. More money in your pocket and full control over when you work.

This guide covers everything you need to know about CNA jobs and shifts in Florida: what credentials you need, what you can earn, how per diem shift work actually works, and how to get started.

Where ShiftCura Is Launching — Phase 1 and Phase 2

Before we get into the full guide, here's where ShiftCura is rolling out — because if you're searching for CNA shifts in Florida, you deserve a straight answer about when this is available in your market.

Phase 1 — June 15, 2026: Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties (Tri-County South Florida). This is the beta launch. If you're in South Florida, you can join the founding caregiver waitlist right now at shiftcura.com/join.

Phase 2 — Fall 2026 (planned): Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa Bay) and North Florida (Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville). Phase 2 is planned for September–October 2026, conditional on Phase 1 going well. If you're in one of those markets, join the waitlist now — founding caregivers in every Phase 2 county get priority access and first pick of shifts when we launch there.

The rest of this guide is useful for CNAs anywhere in Florida — the credentials, pay rate ranges, and per diem mechanics apply statewide.

What Is a CNA in Florida? The Quick Version

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse. In Florida, CNAs work across a wide range of settings: home health agencies, assisted living facilities (ALFs), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), group homes, adult day care centers, and private households.

Day-to-day tasks typically include helping patients with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating), monitoring vital signs, documenting patient observations, and assisting with mobility and transfers. It's hands-on, essential work — and Florida's aging population means demand for qualified CNAs is not slowing down.

Florida has over 4.5 million residents aged 65 and older. That number is growing every year as retirees relocate from colder states. The result: consistent, year-round demand for CNAs across South Florida, Central Florida, and North Florida alike.

Florida CNA Licensing Requirements

Before you can pick up any shift in Florida — through an agency, a platform, or directly — your credentials need to be in order. Here's exactly what you need:

1. Active Florida CNA Certification

You must be listed on the Florida Nurse Aide Registry, maintained by the Florida Department of Health. To get there, you need to complete a state-approved CNA training program (at least 120 hours, including 40 hours of clinical practice) and pass both the written and skills components of the Florida CNA competency exam.

If your certification has lapsed or you were trained in another state, Florida has a reciprocity process. Contact the Florida Board of Nursing for current requirements at floridasnursing.gov.

2. Level 2 AHCA Background Screening

This is non-negotiable in Florida. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) requires a Level 2 background screening for anyone who provides direct patient care. Level 2 includes a fingerprint-based national criminal history check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI.

You can complete Level 2 screening through AHCA's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Most providers and platforms, including ShiftCura, require proof that you've cleared this screening before you can accept your first shift.

3. CPR/BLS Certification

Most facilities and agencies require current CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. These certifications are valid for two years. Classes typically cost $50-75 and take a half day.

4. TB Test Results

A current tuberculosis test — either a TB skin test (PPD) or QuantiFERON blood test — within the past 12 months is a standard requirement for healthcare facilities in Florida.

5. Photo ID and Social Security Verification

Standard for any healthcare employment. Keep a clear copy of your government-issued ID and Social Security card on hand.

Once you have these documents, you're ready to work. On ShiftCura, you upload them once when you create your profile. After admin verification, you're cleared to pick up shifts with any provider on the platform — no re-submitting paperwork every time you work somewhere new.

What CNAs Actually Earn Per Shift in Florida

Pay rates vary by region, county, shift timing, and facility type. Here's a realistic range based on current Florida market conditions, broken out by Phase 1 and Phase 2 markets:

Phase 1 — South Florida (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach counties)

Home health shifts: $22-$28/hour
ALF / group home shifts: $20-$26/hour
Skilled nursing facility shifts: $24-$30/hour
Night shifts and weekend premiums: typically add $2-$5/hour on top of base rate

For a 12-hour overnight shift at a skilled nursing facility in Miami-Dade or Broward County, a CNA could realistically earn $312-$396 before the platform fee. On ShiftCura, the platform fee is 10% ($2 minimum), so that same shift nets $281-$356 in your account — often the same day you work.

Phase 2 — Central and North Florida (planned fall 2026)

Home health shifts: $19-$25/hour
ALF / group home shifts: $18-$24/hour
Skilled nursing facility shifts: $21-$28/hour
Night and weekend premiums: typically add $2-$4/hour

Central Florida markets (Orlando, Tampa Bay) and North Florida markets (Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville) tend to run slightly lower than South Florida's tri-county rates. Verify current rates in your specific county before relying on these ranges for financial planning.

Compare that to what a staffing agency offers regardless of region. When an agency places you, they charge the facility $35-$45/hour and pay you $20-$24/hour. That gap — $11-$21 per hour — goes to the agency. Over a 12-hour shift, that's $132-$252 you're not getting paid.

Per diem shift work through a direct marketplace closes that gap completely.

Per Diem vs. Agency Employment: What's the Real Difference?

Agency employment means you're on the agency's payroll. They handle your taxes, sometimes offer benefits, and give you W-2 income at year end. In exchange, they take a large cut of your pay rate and control your schedule. You go where they send you. The "guarantee" of steady work sounds nice until you realize they can reduce your hours whenever they want.

Per diem shift work means you pick up individual shifts as an independent contractor. You choose when you work, which facilities you work at, and how many shifts you take in a week. You manage your own taxes (set aside 25-30% for federal and Florida self-employment taxes — Florida has no state income tax, which helps). You get a 1099 at tax time.

The pay is higher per shift. The flexibility is real. The trade-off is that you're not guaranteed any specific number of hours — you need to be proactive about picking up shifts.

For CNAs who want to control their own schedules, work multiple facilities, or supplement a part-time position, per diem shift work is almost always the better financial choice.

How ShiftCura Works for Florida CNAs

ShiftCura is a shift fulfillment marketplace — not a staffing agency. Providers (home health agencies, ALFs, skilled nursing facilities, private families) post open shifts directly. You browse available shifts in your area, accept the ones that work for your schedule, and get paid the same day you complete the shift.

Here's the basic flow:

Create your profile at shiftcura.com/join. You keep 90% of every dollar you earn — flat 10% platform fee, that's it. No subscriptions, no hidden costs. Staffing agencies take 30-60% of your rate. ShiftCura takes 10%.
Upload your credentials — CNA license, Level 2 clearance letter, CPR/BLS, TB test, and ID. You do this once.
Get verified — the ShiftCura admin team reviews your credentials, typically within 1-2 business days.
Browse and accept shifts — filter by role, location, date, and pay rate. Accept with one tap.
Work the shift — clock in through the app (geofenced to the facility address) and clock out when done.
Get paid — same-day pay via Stripe Connect. Your earnings hit your bank account the same business day.

There's no application process for each shift. No interviews. No waiting for a recruiter to call you back. Once you're verified, the platform is yours to use.

Which Florida Counties Have the Most CNA Shifts?

Phase 1 launch markets (June 15, 2026):

ShiftCura's beta launch covers the tri-county South Florida region — the highest-density healthcare market in the state:

Miami-Dade County — the largest healthcare market in Florida, with hundreds of home health agencies, a massive senior population, and shifts spanning from Miami Beach to Hialeah, Coral Gables, and Homestead
Broward County — Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Coral Springs; strong mix of ALFs, skilled nursing facilities, and private home health
Palm Beach County — West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach; high concentration of retirement communities and private-pay clients

Phase 2 target markets (fall 2026, planned):

If Phase 1 goes well, ShiftCura is targeting Central and North Florida next:

Orlando / Orange County — one of Florida's fastest-growing healthcare markets
Tampa Bay / Hillsborough County — large senior population, strong per-diem demand
Jacksonville / Duval County — North Florida's largest city and healthcare hub
Tallahassee and Gainesville — university-adjacent markets with consistent healthcare staffing needs

If you're in a Phase 2 market, join the waitlist now. Founding caregivers in every Phase 2 county get first pick of shifts and personal onboarding when we expand to your market.

What Happens If You Work Multiple Facilities?

One of the biggest advantages of per diem work is the ability to work for multiple providers at once. There's no exclusivity requirement on ShiftCura. You can pick up a shift at a home health agency in the morning and an ALF shift in the afternoon (in compliance with your state certification and any duty-hour considerations for your own safety and patient care quality).

Each facility you work at will see your credential verification status on the platform — they won't require you to re-submit your CNA license or background check paperwork. That verification travels with your profile.

Over time, providers who like your work can mark you as a "preferred caregiver," which means you get notified of their shifts before they open to the general pool. This is how per diem CNAs on ShiftCura build a reliable schedule without ever having a single employer.

Getting Started: Your First Shift in 4 Steps

Go to shiftcura.com/join and join the waitlist to become a founding caregiver. Phase 1 launches June 15, 2026 in South Florida. Phase 2 (Central and North FL) is planned for fall 2026 — join now to secure founding caregiver status in your market.
Upload your documents. Have your CNA certification, Level 2 clearance, CPR/BLS card, and TB test results ready as PDFs or photos.
Wait for verification. The team reviews credentials and approves your profile — typically within 1-2 business days.
Browse and accept your first shift. Filter by your county and preferred shift type. Accept. Show up. Get paid that day.

That's it. No agency. No recruiter. No cut taken from your pay that you don't know about.

If you're a CNA in Florida and you're not working per diem yet, you're leaving money on the table. You keep 90% of what you earn — flat 10% platform fee vs. staffing agencies taking 30-60%. Join the founding caregiver waitlist today at shiftcura.com/join — free to join, and open to CNAs across Florida regardless of which phase your county is in.

Not a CNA? ShiftCura supports every direct care role in Florida — HHAs, LPNs, RNs, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Medical Assistants, Direct Support Professionals, Direct Care Workers, and Companions. Join the waitlist regardless of your role and you'll be matched to shifts your credentials qualify you for.