pinkdaisy

Nursegirl- I'm just curious... how did you become a CNA at age 14? Where did you study? Did you find a job quickly, or were people hesitant to hire you because of your age?

Thank you so much! I will definately call local nursing homes and hospitals and see if they need people and also if they will train people for free.

Thank you both so much! I really want to do this, but I'm not exactly sure where to start. I have done online searches for CNA or nursing aide assistant programs in northern New Jersey, but I haven't found much, except for one program at the local community college that meets every day in the morning and is $900! Do you have any idea as to how I would find a CNA training program? Thanks again!

Hello, I am a junior in highschool and am planning to go to college to obtain an RN after graduation. I am interested in taking classes and getting a part time job as a CNA. I think this would be a wonderful opportunity where I'd get to learn alot about the body and nursing, gain experience and confidence, and be able to help people. I am not sure, however what the training entails and if hopitals and nursing homes would hire someone under 18, who has not yet received a highschool diploma. How extensive is the training program for CNA, and is it a possible part time job for someone in highschool? Also, where can I find a class, and what is the certification test like? I am homeschooled, so my hours are a bit more flexable than those of other highschoolers. I still, however can't be in a program or job that is full time or during the day. Thank you so much for your help! ~Liz

I also am not yet a nurse, and am actually just finishing up highschool, but like trembelina, I felt compelled to respond to this. Shyness, is something that I too struggle alot with- especially in talking with authority and those older than me. You might be naturally prone to being shy, but shyness I've found, is more a fear than a personality trait. People who are quiet or softspoken by nature can still be excellent communiticators also those who by nature are loud or outgoing can be poor communicators, unsympathetic and uncaring. Try to get over your fears- not become someone who you are not. You will not be an extremely extroverted person, but you will be a quiet person who communicates very well with the people with whom you are dealing. Remembering that ultimately you are nursing to help people, can also help you put your shyness into perspective. Good luck!

Hello, I am a highschool junior considering going into nursing after graduation. I am pretty sure that the profession would be well suited to my personality, but would like to see nurses in action just to see what the daily challenges/joys of the job really are like. Do some hospitals let prospective nurses come in and shadow their nurses? Also, what was the nursing program like? Was it very difficult? Did you feel like it prepared you well for the demands of the job? How many clinical hours did you need to work? Also how many degrees do you need to persue nursing? Thank you! Liz

Hi, I am a highschool junior who is considering going into nursing or a similar profession and have a few questions for you. I am drawn to this career because I love people and have the the desire to help the sick and hurting feel better emotionally and physically. I am compassionate and patient so I feel that I would relate well to the patients. One thing that I am concerned about however, is that I don't know how I would react to giving people IVs and drawing blood. I'm sure I'd be able to do it after I've done it for a long time, especially since it is ultimately helping the person, but I can imagine it being hard to stick a needle into a nervous person who really would rather not get this done! Were any of you nervous about giving people needles and injections before nursing and did this improve after a while? Also, to get a feel for the demands of the job, do some hospitals let people interested in nursing shadow nurses? I have one more question: I know that nursing programs are very heavily based on math and science. I am ok at science (pretty good at biology ok at chemistry), and math is not one of my best subjects. Do most colleges have tutoring centers? Can someone who is not particularly gifted at science and math succeed at a nursing program? Thank you all so much for your help! Sincerely, Liz