I'm a junior interested in becoming a CNA. Are there any CNA job opportunities available for high school students? I want to gain some experience in healthcare before I graduate.
High school students can get Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) jobs. The primary requirement to work as a CNA is certification, which involves enrolling in a state-approved training program and passing a competency examination. High school students can often take these courses at vocational schools or community colleges, sometimes even as part of a dual-enrollment program. Some programs might require the students to be at least 16, so check with the institutions in your area.
Once you're certified, you're eligible to work as a CNA. The specific hospitals, nursing homes, or other care facilities might have their age requirements, so that's worth looking into as well.
One piece of advice: managing a job as a CNA while attending high school can be demanding, so make sure you consider how you can balance this with schoolwork, extracurriculars, and your personal life. It's important to prioritize and not overextend yourself.
Lastly, remember that while having job experience as a CNA can strengthen a college application for prospective nursing or pre-med students, it's not necessary to work in healthcare as a high school student if it doesn't fit into your schedule. You can demonstrate your interest in healthcare through other extracurriculars or volunteer work as well. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.