Now that you have a resume and know how to write a cover letter, it is time to apply for jobs. Ideally you would like to find a job that you are interested in doing. You know that you enjoy spending time with senior citizens and like the idea of helping people. You wonder if 16 year olds can work at a nursing home.

This blog post will cover:

• The age at which teenagers can work in a nursing home
• How to find out if you can work at a particular nursing home
• Ways to go about getting hired at a nursing home

Remember, prior to beginning your job search it is a good idea to learn about whether a work permit is required in your state. Click here to learn more about work permits where you live.

The Age at which Teenagers Can Work in a Nursing Home

The age at which a teenager can work in a nursing home will vary. Some nursing homes will be open to hiring 16 year-olds, while some will not be.

There are a number of positions in a nursing home that require that the employee have a certain level of education; for example a nurse, or a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). Regardless of age, an applicant would not be eligible for these jobs without the required education.

Becoming a CNA would increase ones chances of obtaining a job at a nursing home. In some states, it is possible to obtain a CNA at the age of 16, while others require that an individual be 18 prior to completing their certification. Click here to learn about the requirements in your state.

Some high schools offer programs where students can obtain their CNA while in school. Should your high school offer such a program, this is worth looking into. Becoming a CNA would offer a variety of employment opportunities both within and outside of nursing homes. Check with your school counselor to see if this is available in your school.

Nursing homes hire for positions that don’t require certification as well. These positions include someone who coordinates activities for the residents, as well as administrative positions.

How to Find Out if You Can Work at a Particular Nursing Home

If you are interested in working in a nursing home, the best thing to do is to contact the nursing homes in your area and ask about their age requirements. You can do this either by making a phone call or by visiting the nursing home in person.

Before making contact, consider what type of work you would like to do at the nursing home so that you can ask the questions that will get you the answers you are looking for. For example, if you are looking to work with residents of the nursing home, you might want to include that in your question.

You can also look online to see if the nursing home has a website and if there is information regarding their age requirements.

Ways to Go About Getting Hired at a Nursing Home

There are a few ways to go about getting hired at a nursing home. There is the traditional route where you see an advertisement for a position in the nursing home and you submit your resume and cover letter in response to it.

If you are serious about obtaining a job in a nursing home, it is a good idea to first become a volunteer there. Volunteering at the nursing home will benefit you in several ways:

• You will learn what it is like to spend periods of time at the nursing home and see if working there is really what you would like to do.
• You will gain experience working in the nursing home which will make you more attractive as an applicant for an open position
• You will get to know those that work in the nursing home and who are in a position to hire…or to give a good reference on the work that you have done as a volunteer.
• You will be able to find out about open jobs as they come up

Click here to learn more about volunteering can help you as you look for a job.

You can also contact each nursing home directly to find out if they have any job openings. Many places of business post their job openings on their website if they have one, so it is a good idea to go online and check out their website. For more information on how to ask if a business is hiring, click here.

Should the nursing homes in your area not be open to hiring 16 year-olds, click here for information about opportunities that are available to you to earn money.

If you cannot obtain a job at a nursing home in your area, seriously consider volunteering at one to gain experience and to get a good idea if it is an area you would want to work in.

So, what do you think about whether a 16 year old can work in a nursing home? Do you agree with what was said above?  Comment below to let us know!