Can I become a CNA at age 16?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm 16 and I live in Texas. I would REALLY love to become a CNA. I know other people from my highschool that have become CNAs through HOSA, but I cannot be in HOSA. So, I am not sure if i could go through training at a nursing home, or of the only way to get training at 16 is through HOSA. I would love to do this durning the summer while i have time.

Specializes in CNA- many years ago.

Kimmyyf.... I was a CNA at age 16! (That was 12 years ago.) I am in Georgia. My best friend and I heard an announcement over the school PA system saying that a local health care facility would be willing to hire and train. We checked it out and both of us got the job. The nursing home trained us and we took the state CNA test. I worked there for about 9 months after that. I have no regrets and I think it was a wonderful opportunity to "test the waters" in the healthcare field.

I will caution you though about one aspect, if you plan to be a CNA in a nursing home rather than in another kind of setting such as a hospital. After losing 3 residents within the 9 months that I worked there, I quit because it was too much for me. (It is very easy to get attached to those little old people!) Looking back on it now....12 years later and taking prerequisite classes to get into RN school..... I think that I was just too young to handle it on my own. I'm not saying that you are too young. I'm saying that you just need to realize that people are not immortal, and you will have people that pass away. Make sure that you have a good support system and a seasoned nurse that you trust to talk to. I think if I had had that, I wouldn't have tried to keep all of my emotions to myself and would've stayed with it.

Good luck! It is a very rewarding experience.

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I became a CNA at 16 and was 17 when I got my first job after graduating. But that was many years ago when the rules were different. I think most places today require employees to be 18. Doesn't hurt for one to look around though. And volunteering would be a good option until able to be hired.

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Specializes in Masters in Nerd.

Hello!

I just want to cover some things:

YES! you can become a CNA at 16.

YES! you can work and facilities do hire at age 16, there are a couple of issues that regard that though

1) your age may restrict you workwise and hour wise. I live in AZ, which is a free to work state and that meant AS SOON as I turned 16 I was free to work when I wanted, how I wanted, where I wanted--just as long as it kept within my employers guidelines and rules. You should check on your states website about their rules regarding child labor.

2) if you are currently attending public school you will have to get a work permit from your counselor/principal/Dean. This states that you are mentally and emotionally capable to take on a job and do school at the same time. (because some people are just not able too)

3) you will not, by any circumstances, be able to work mechanical lifts like hoyers to lift the residents. It's illegal. Very illegal. Like federal illegal and not only can you get in trouble, but the facility can get in trouble. Butttt, a little cardio and some sit ups and a high-quality gait belt can fix that :p

YES! you can find a job. There are facilities that will hire as young as 16. They aren't looking at your age, they are looking for motivated, hard-working, honest people. Which I am sure you are.

If you don't believe me, I am a 16 year old CNA working for kindred healthcare in a LTCF. I did my course through a community college when I was 15 and two weeks after I turned 16 I took my state exams. A couple of months after I was certified I was hired at a LTCF. I'm a homeschooled senior and a full-time college student. I work third shift and I absolutely love it.

You just can't take it lightly. This isnt a fluffy teenage job like a retail position at Hot Topic or a job at McDonald's. My only advice is to take it as seriously as you can. It isn't just a job, its a career path.

Good luck, and God bless. I wanna know where your paths take you. :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

You may notice that this topic is two years old........

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Specializes in Masters in Nerd.

...and?

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Is there a particular reason why my posts were removed from this thread?

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Is there a particular reason why my posts were removed from this thread?

You would need to address this with the site administrators. Might want to post your question in the admin help desk forum.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

I think it has something to do with the new changes they made. Lots of things have moved around and are up in the air

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