CNA at 16?!

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Hi, all! I've lurked around on some other posts about this topic, and I realize the age requirements are different for all states, so, my question is, would someone be able to receive their CNA licensing and work at a nursing home at 16? Thanks all!

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Hi, all! I've lurked around on some other posts about this topic, and I realize the age requirements are different for all states, so, my question is, would someone be able to receive their CNA licensing and work at a nursing home at 16? Thanks all!

Since you know the requirements are different for different states and you don't say what state you're in, did you go ahead and check with the Health Department or Board of Nursing in your state to find out your answer?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I can't find the exact reference, but I seem to recall OSHA regulations about workplace safety that would prohibit this. Basically, the same rules that prohibit people

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HouTX,

Thanks for commenting, in my research, I've seen you can become a CNA at 16, but I'm not sure if regulations have changed, or if you're allowed to become a CNA at 16. The only thing I know you're not allowed to do is operate lifting equipment. Thanks!

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

I've never looked into it, but in the two nursing homes I've worked at, many of the evening staff are high school kids. Pretty sure they were certified.

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Yes you can, in many states at least. My brother's high school had a CNA program where sophomores would obtain their license by the end of the year.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

In Wisconsin in the late 90s, you could. I worked with many 16-17 yr olds. Some were good, some were WAY too immature for that kind of work.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Hi, all! I've lurked around on some other posts about this topic, and I realize the age requirements are different for all states, so, my question is, would someone be able to receive their CNA licensing and work at a nursing home at 16? Thanks all!

I'm confused. Per your post, you already know that different states have different age requirements, so why are you asking about 16 year olds without giving the state?

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Oops! I'm in Wisconsin!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The Department of Aging and Disability Services in the state where I live (Texas) grants CNA certification to applicants who are at least 15 years of age, completed a ninth grade education, and have passed the state test.

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I'm not sure if there's anything prohibiting one from getting CNA certification before a certain age, but I have seen many employers who won't hire staff under 18. I'm thinking this may have to do with the child labor laws, which are pretty restrictive in my state. There have been times when it's hard to comply with the breaks required for adult workers. I have only worked with one CNA who was 17. This was in a hospital setting as a summer job.

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In Kansas, you can get a CNA cert at 16 but you cannot operate patient lifting equipment.

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