Can I Get a head start in my nursing career at an early age?

Yes, you can! Volunteering at hospitals and other organizations is great for a resume later on and to get your foot in the door.

I got very ahead by getting a lot of my basics for nursing school done during highschool. I graduated highschool in May 2010, I took the needed science requirements over the summer, and entered into my ADN program in August 2010. I graduated with my ADN in May 2012, passed NCLEX and started working. I then immediately started my RN-BSN and graduated with that Dec 2013. I am only 21 years old with my RN, BSN with 1.5 years experience behind me. It was VERY tough at times, but it can be done!

Good for you! :) Check with your state. I'm originally from Wisconsin and worked with several 16-yr-old CNAs.

I have many suggestions for you, coming from a Mom's perspective, as you can see by my name! Try to take AP (Advance Placement) classes - you can test out of some basic college courses if you pass the exams, but they are HARD. Even if you end up not even taking the exam, it's great experience and looks good on your resume. My daughter took an AP Anatomy course, among others, and it really helped her with her Anatomy classes years later.

One girl my daughter graduated from HS with was the youngest EMT by the time she graduated! You can look into that, probably varies by state and area, I would assume you need to be 18 by the time you complete that.

Once you are 18, you can become a CNA which is very minimal (6 months?) training at your local community college.

One amazing thing my daughter did was connecting with a nursing group that travels to third world countries to give medical care. I am talking remote villages where the people line up waiting to get the only medical care they can get in a year. She did this right after graduating from college, and right before starting nursing school.

Of course, volunteering always looks great on your resume, and you can find many opportunities in medical related fields. Nursing homes, VA centers, hospices. Even if you are passing out magazines and delivering flowers, you can learn a lot if you keep your eyes open, and ask questions, when appropriate.

Good luck! The world needs people like you! It will be the hardest thing you will ever do, up to this point - the classes, exams, the anxious waiting for "the letter"! But keep your eye on the prize, it will be worth it! : )

Also - from a Mom's point of view - to know what you want to do at such a young age is fantastic, but please keep an open mind and listen to your heart in case you decide you want to do something else. : )

Becoming a nursing assistant would indeed give you a huge head start on your nursing career. It will provide valuable experience and insight.

Good for you for asking!

Good luck!

When I was your age, I volunteered at my local hospital 2 afternoons/week for the summer.

My daughter is your age. You sound a lot like her. She volunteers her summer at our large teaching hospital. She's also taking some of the classes now that she'll need in college such as anatomy and physiology and statistics. We're currently looking into a dual enrollment program for college. She takes school a lot more seriously than I did at her age and makes mostly A's, some B's. I'd advise the same for you. Shadow a nurse if you can. When you're old enough apply to be a CNA. It will certainly help you.