Looking for a CNA program online

[Loux]

Hello all! I am currently a pre-nursing student, and I would like to be able to work while going to school. I'm only 16, but I'll be 17 in January of 2011. I am not sure how my age would work out employment-wise, but because I'm not a high school student, my situation is a bit different than most 16 year olds'.

However, my age isn't the issue at hand; I would like to know if there are any CNA certification programs available online. In my area, there are very few programs offered, and the ones that are offered coincide with my schooling schedule.

I will be in school full-time next semester (beginning in mid-January), which is why an online program would work wonderfully for me. If online programs are not feasible...I live in New York (more specifically Broome County), so if anyone knows of any programs near me, I would greatly appreciate any guidance!

Thanks in advance. :)

[heartflutter, ADN, BSN]

I highly doubt a CNA course online would be a viable option. The majority of the learning takes place during clinicals, in my opinion. I would be very skeptical of online nursing assistant courses because state law varies and doing something "online" may not be recognized by your state. The last link says your state doesn't require you be 18, but many of the programs do. I saw a few on the third link that require you to be 17, so you might luck out with one of those.

Good luck!

General info on NY CNA requirements.

This is from 2008 but your county might still have the program. (Looks like a "sneak peak" of actual CNA work).

List of programs (not online) in NY.

This link looks most promising (I found it on the NY State Dept. of Health website). It likely has all the info you'll need.

And here's a link to the NY State Dept. of Labor with info on the profession itself.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

A majority of cna learning is hands on, during lab time learning the skills and then during clinicals where you practice those skills.

[Meowmixer]

I did my CNA program at 17 (2005), also got a job as a nursing assistant at 17 right before i passed my test (most hospital jobs don't require an actual cna licence). But i agree with the rest, if there is an online CNA program it's shady! There are quite a few clincals involved with getting your licence. Some community colleges may offer some of the other classes online, but you would still have to attend some type of clincal/lab.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Contact your Literacy Council (not that you are illiterate!). The local council is able to get people into a local college for this course and they might work with you due to your unique situation. It is mostly hands-on. You have to learn tasks that include patient interaction. Good luck.

[nurse0520]

isnt there a tech college/2 year college with weekend classes around you or even if you are out of high school i know the high schools in my area offer cna classes. since you are still a minor you could look into classes in another school district around you??