Nursing Aides
Nursing Aides, Orderlies and Attendants provide general care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and other medical health settings under the supervision of nursing and medical staff.Nursing Aides may also be called nurse assistants, certified nursing assistants, or hospital attendants.
Routine tasks include taking and recording patient's temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure, measuring food and liquid intake and output; and reporting changes to the medical staff.
They also answer patient calls for assistance, take messages, serve meals, make beds, and assist patients in bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene.
Requirements
- Must be at least 16 years old.
- Must be healthy.
- Ability to lift patients.
- Good verbal ability.
- Desire to help others.
- Ability to work well with others.
- Successful completion of a state-approved Nursing Assistant Program.
- Pass a state nursing assistant certification and competency exam.
- Fingerprint clearance is required.
Wages
- Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants Median hourly wage: $10.82
- Average annual wage: $23,843
Job Outlook
- Estimated number of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants in 2002: 100,200
- Estimated number of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants in 2012: 121,100
- Estimated annual job openings: 3,400
Possible Career Paths for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants include becoming a :
- Home Health Aide
- Rental Clerk for Medical Equipment and Supplies
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Medical Assistant
- Phlebotomist