Can a 17 year old get a job as a CNA in Minnesota?

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I am 17 years old and am planning to take an approved CNA class at a local senior high school. High school applicants can be accepted, so its not an issue there. I am in my last year of high school and will be taking the class this coming April. I, however, won't be turning 18 until that September and would like CNA experience that summer before I start my nursing pre-reqs in college. I'm just wondering if CNAs can work at 17 in the state of Minnesota? I work at a nursing home right now as a dietary aide and I'm pretty sure this particular nursing home requires you to be 18. They might let me work as a CNA if I already work there and will be turning 18 soon, but I don't know how realistic that is. Anyway, I'm just wondering if every nursing home requires you to be 18 to work as a CNA in Minnesota? Or does it just depend on that nursing home's regulations? I don't know why this CNA class would be offering itself to ALL high school students if you couldn't find a job with it at 16 or 17.

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Specializes in Long term care.

You can always get experience as a CNA at a home care agency.

It wouldn't hurt to ask at the nursing home where you work now. Tell them you are planning to take a CNA class and would be interested in a position with them when certified. It would look good for you as you are willing to get additional training....that always looks good!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Home care requires age of majority (18 in most states, 19 in other states like Nebraska ).and an additional certification as a CHHA.

Since there are legal documents & confidentiality agreements in healthcare you likely cannot secure employment as a CNA until age 18.

There are restrictions if under 18, best to check with your employer

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I checked with social services awhile ago and the facility I work at currently seem very staunch about not letting anyone under the age of 18 work as a nursing assistant unfortunately. Since I already work there and would get my CNA not long before I turned 18, they MIGHT let me in if they were lenient, but am a bit doubtful.

Fortunately, I contacted another LTC facility near me and they do hire under aged CNAs, the only thing they can't do is operate mechanical lifts. Hopefully I can get a job working there next summer when I get certified!

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