Working as a cna in high school

allnurses Guide · Jul 22, 2017

Those are questions you would have to ask the facility to which you are applying.

I worked at a very nice LTC that happened to be next to a high school. We had quite a few high school students who worked with us. Our place seemed to be decently flexible with the high schoolers. They gave the students first pick to leave at 9:30pm instead of 11pm, since they had school and were minors... but that was our place.

It never hurts to respectfully ask and see what arrangements could be made. Perhaps, for the Saturdays you need off, you could work every Sunday.

I know this answer may be too late, but good luck to you. I was always impressed by the high school students who managed to do such hard work in a nursing home and still maintain their school work.

ArtfulGem · Jul 27, 2017

I'm currently a CNA while I'm high school. I got the job because I use to be a waitress in the retirement home I currently work at so I easily switched over. It's hard and difficult honestly. It's worth it and it's a great learning experience at this age.

OliveOyl91, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2017

Ask at your local nursing homes. The one I used to work at had part time positions perfect for high school students (5pm to 9pm on a three on, three off rotation) and also PRN positions. Labor laws are very strict, though. In Washington, I believe employees under 18 couldn't work more than 6 hours at a time and couldn't be clocked in past 10:00pm.

Reepicheep · Jul 8, 2020

Hi, I am a high schooler as well, and I just created an account to reply to this thread (sorry if this is considered bumping)!

I am considering a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and I am in a similar situation to ArtfulGem. I work as a waitress in a senior facility as well. I am wondering about becoming a CNA over the Summer and working through the rest of high school and college so that I can earn a bit more and pay for my education. I have heard a lot of good things about becoming a CNA in high school (college acceptance, helps you prepare for career earlier, learning whether or not you want to become a nurse, helps you become a better NP, helps you earn your way through college, etc.), but I am still not totally sure whether this is the course I want to pursue if it will negatively impact my high school experience.

I have a few questions.

1.) What are some other benefits to working as a CNA in high school?

2.) How flexible are the hours?

3.) How will this impact my after school time? I am part of many youth group and band-related after school activities, and I want to get the best grades possible in my classes.

4.) What is being a CNA in high school like?

5.) What are some other ways you would recommend preparing for a nursing career while in high school?

6.) What are some things you wish you would have known before pursuing a CNA certification in high school?

Sorry, I know these are a lot of questions! Thanks in advance!

Clementine · Jul 10, 2020

The nursing home I work in has a 4hr shift from 4:30pm-8:30pm. They didn't advertise it in their job listing, and I just found out when I got there. If I were you I would ask in the job interview, or before by calling, if they offer something like that. A lot of nursing homes do because they want to be accessible to students because CNAs are in high demand.

Nursing homes also tend to be very flexible with scheduling as long as you give them notice before the schedule for the next month is created.

Reepicheep · Jul 11, 2020

Thanks! That's good to know. Flexible hours are always a good thing!

dashofdefiance · Jul 17, 2020

On 7/8/2020 at 9:08 AM, Reepicheep said:
Hi, I am a high schooler as well, and I just created an account to reply to this thread (sorry if this is considered bumping)!
I am considering a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and I am in a similar situation to ArtfulGem. I work as a waitress in a senior facility as well. I am wondering about becoming a CNA over the Summer and working through the rest of high school and college so that I can earn a bit more and pay for my education. I have heard a lot of good things about becoming a CNA in high school (college acceptance, helps you prepare for career earlier, learning whether or not you want to become a nurse, helps you become a better NP, helps you earn your way through college, etc.), but I am still not totally sure whether this is the course I want to pursue if it will negatively impact my high school experience.
I have a few questions.
1.) What are some other benefits to working as a CNA in high school?
Working as a CNA allows you to network with other nurses, aides, med aides, doctors, etc. This will allow you to form connections with others and get to truly know about the field. Being a CNA also helps you with nursing school and your skillset as a nurse. I learned SOOOO much being a CNA in highschool that has helped me tremendously as a nursing student.
2.) How flexible are the hours?
The shifts depend on the facility as many others have stated but for example my previous facility offered a 4-10:30 for after school and allowed me to pick and choose my weekend shifts. My time in assisted living allowed me to work 4-9 shifts right after school and was flexible with the on call policy. My current hospital offers a ton of different CNA shifts. I can pick up a 12 hour shift, 8 hour shift, 4 hour shift, or 6 hour shift. I will say that If you can work weekends, facilities are willing to be super flexible and help schedule around any school events!
3.) How will this impact my after school time? I am part of many youth group and band-related after school activities, and I want to get the best grades possible in my classes.
I personally was super involved in high school and didn't struggle with extracurriculars or academics while working. I had a schedule where I would work Wednesday evening (my school had a rule that they wouldn't assign homework on Wednesday to encourage people to go to church events) while also working a weekend day or two. I found working to actually motivate me with my studies. I saw what the nurses were capable of and what they could do and It made me want to study the best I could. Some schools offer workstudy so look into that!
4.) What is being a CNA in high school like?
Being a CNA in high school is really a unique experience. You get to see a lot of cool things, meet a lot of cool people, and really get to experience nursing. I found my true passion for nursing while doing CNA work. You definitely learn to grow tough skin! It's no secret that patients can take anger and pain out on you and learning how to deal with it in high school helps tremendously with this anger later on!
5.) What are some other ways you would recommend preparing for a nursing career while in high school?
I would recommend taking AS MANY college gen eds as you can. I only took a few and I 100% wish I would have taken as many as I can. Even if taking these gen eds doesn't allow you to graduate quicker, it will allow you to take a lower course loads. I would also recommend job shadowing or volunteering at a hospital/facility in your area. This looks really good on college apps and most will ask about it! By volunteering, you can also network and find people to write letters of rec or functions as references. if you haven't already, I would also get CPR certified as many facilities require it! Do your research, ask questions, and 100% research your desired nursing program. I started in a 2 year gen ED/2 year nursing school program and absolutely despised it. I thought that nursing wasn't for me or that I wasn't smart enough. I decided to switch to a 4 year nursing school and it has helped me TREMENDOUSLY. I never considered it and thought it was too expensive, but after transferring I was able to see how wrong I was!
6.) What are some things you wish you would have known before pursuing a CNA certification in high school?
I wish I would have known how much it would affect my career in nursing! I think that being a cna in general provides experience and wisdom beyond anything a book can teach you. It's also nice to know that a lot of facilities will provide tuition assistance and scholarships for nursing school if you have worked there for 1-2 years prior to school!
Sorry, I know these are a lot of questions! Thanks in advance!
Just wanted to say good luck in your career/schooling/endeavor and always remember why you wanted to go into nursing!

Reepicheep · Jul 17, 2020

Thank you so very very much, dashofdefiance!! That is really helpful! I think I will start looking into that CPR training you mentioned, and I am actually already doing some hospital volunteering, so that is great! Thanks again for all the time you put into answering my questions!