im a new CNA and only 17!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 22, 2005

A lot of places require the age of 18 now, i think. When i first started, i was only 16.

Jami RN, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2005

In my state (Oregon), you have to be 18 to work around biohazardous material. Since this includes any body fluid, we don't hire anyone to work in the hospital until they are 18.

Jami

Maxs · Apr 23, 2005

In Illinois, in order to work as a CNA, the required age is 16. You can definitely work in a nursing home in Illinois, at that age.

Maxs

Pepperann · Apr 23, 2005

well, i live missouri, and im not sure about it. im about to go to my local nursing home and apply. this is what ive wanted to all my life, be a nurse. i also want to be an optometrist. can u go straight from having your CNA to college? what about a speaclized school? im only a junior in high school, but i would rather make my plans early.

elizabetta · Apr 23, 2005

well, i live missouri, and im not sure about it. im about to go to my local nursing home and apply. this is what ive wanted to all my life, be a nurse. i also want to be an optometrist. can u go straight from having your CNA to college? what about a speaclized school? im only a junior in high school, but i would rather make my plans early.

I commend you it sounds like you are off to a great start in life. Good luck to you.

Elizabeth

bioniclewoman · Apr 23, 2005

well, i live missouri, and im not sure about it. im about to go to my local nursing home and apply. this is what ive wanted to all my life, be a nurse. i also want to be an optometrist. can u go straight from having your CNA to college? what about a speaclized school? im only a junior in high school, but i would rather make my plans early.

Wow, I wish I had known that early what I wanted to do.

What do you mean though about going straight to college? Having your CNA can help you get into some LVN programs or ADN programs (after taking prerequisites). Schools sometimes give you more points toward entry if you are a CNA. The ones around here don't though.

Around here you can not start any college program unless you are 18 or a highschool graduate. The only exceptions are programs that are through highschools.

I would ask if your highschool has any programs that allow you to take college courses while still in high school. That way you could be working on nursing prerequisites now. I'm not sure you would have time for that though it you are also working, but it is worth a try.

Pepperann · Apr 25, 2005

hehe, ganeese. i meant that i would finish high school, but my plans are to go from high school to college classes that center around optometry. i can see how that was a little confusing. i also found out that in missouri, you have to be at least 16 to work in a nursing home, and its even better on me becasue of my CNA. i just hope that they decide to hire me.

Pepperann · Apr 26, 2005

to fill out an application, do u have to get ur certificate first? my dad went and got me one, but im afraid that i need the certificate. how long will it take to get it? if you can tell me, id be RELLY happy!

Maxs · Apr 26, 2005

In illinois you don't get a certificate that has a license and etc numbers on. They just tell you passed or failed the state exam. It could be different in your state, perhaps you could ask the facility you are applying to wheather you can or not.

Maxs

boulergirl, CNA · Apr 26, 2005

Boy, this brings back some memories.

I live in Georgia, and 10 years I became certified as a CNA through a hospital. It took nine days and then I took an exam. I twas free because I would be employed with nursing homes affiliated with the hospital system. The pay was $6/hr. at the time, and I was also 17. My first days as a CNA were a real eye-opener for me...one of my first assignments was catheter care on an elderly male stroke patient. Imagine being a young Christian virgin who's never seen "down there" on a man before :eek: :uhoh21: ...I had to bite the bullet and do what needed to be done.

I've always been short and looked younger than my age, so that created some issues. Some of these elderly patients were afraid to let me touch them. I still recall one elderly man who looked at me and said, "I don't want that little girl taking care of me. She'll BREAK me!" :sofahider

Those were the days...

FocusRN · Apr 27, 2005

Well I am still 17, and I am a CNA. I got mine about 2 montths after I turned 17. Down here they don't care as long as you are certified, and can get a work permit.