College won't let me apply to CNA program, age restriction? Please help..I'm so upset

[carrot_thief]

Hi...today I went to the community college's advising center to ask about the CNA program. I've had my heart set on doing this for quite a while, and I'm graduating this year. The problem is, I skipped a grade so I'll just be turning 17 in March, and they refuse to let me apply until I'm 18. They said it was the law. I really don't want to wait an entire year to get started on this. I want to enter the nursing program and be an RN as soon as I can.

So I called some nursing homes near me and one of them gives a free class, but I have to agree to work for them for six months before I can be certified. I'm not sure if I want to do that at all. However, I find it very strange the college claims there are CNA age laws, yet I can still be employed by a nursing home as young as age 16.

I wouldn't have to deal with this at all, but in order to apply to the nursing program at the college, you must be a certifed CNA, and since it's on the point system, the longer you've been working as a CNA the more possibility you have of getting in to the program.

Will someone please help me? Do you think there is any way I could convince the college to let me in? thanks and sorry for the long post.

[akcarmean, LPN]

Check around first and if you can't find anything see if you can start to take other classes. If you are going for your RN then there are plenty of pre-req. classes that have to be taken. You could also start there. Good Luck

Angie

[longroadahead]

In Oregon you can't become (or even take) the CNA class until you are 18. I had the same problem you did because I graduated early from high school as well. But I'm now a CNA, on my way to nursing school...

Heather

[carrot_thief]

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. I will definitely check out the Red Cross, and some more nursing homes. I'm going to start some prerequisites this summer as well. I'm kind of confused now though...if you can't become a CNA or even take the class until you are 18, like Heather said, how would the one nursing home I talked to be able to train and employ me now??