Item saved to your backpack!

Nurse's aides are part of the essential backbone of the health care industry, which is one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the nation. Nurse's aides work under a variety of job titles--nursing assistant, hospital attendant, orderly, health assistant, CNA--and in almost every type of health care setting, including hospitals, and mental health and residential care facilities. Nurses aides provide the bulk of personal, hands-on patient care, as well as performing supervised routine tasks, such as taking patient temperature and blood pressure. Some nurse's aides set up equipment and may assist with patient procedures under the supervision of other medical staff.

Through their close personal contact with patients, nurse's aides often have a better understanding of a patient's emotional, mental, and physical condition and may be more attuned to positive and negative changes in the patient's condition or behavior.

Nurse's Aides Salaries and Employment Projections

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nurse's aides should have excellent employment opportunities over the next seven years. Employment is expected to grow 18 percent between 2008 and 2018. By far, the largest number of nurse's aides work in nursing care facilities, with the remainder working in hospitals and home and community health care services.

BLS data shows the median nurse's aide salary in 2009 was $24,040, with the top 10 percent earning more than $33,970. Alaska pays its nurse's aides the highest salaries, but also has one of the highest costs of living. Nevada, New York, Hawaii, and Connecticut all pay similar annual salaries at approximately $30,000. Of these states, Nevada has the lowest cost of living. Certain national metropolitan areas pay nurse's aides slightly higher salaries:

• San Francisco Bay area: $36,900
• Nassau-Suffolk, NY: $34,920
• Oakland-Fremont, CA and Fairbanks, AK: $32,960

The states with the highest concentration of nurse's aides are North Dakota, Maine, and Rhode Island.

Education and Training for Nurse's Aides

The education and training requirements for this career can vary by facility and by state. Most training for this career is available on-the job at nursing care facilities, through vocational, technical, and community colleges, or through high school programs. Formal training, a physical examination, and a criminal background check may also be required by some states; specific information is available from your state board. The federal government does have a mandatory 75-hour certification program for those working in nursing care facilities. Program participants receive a certified nurse assistant (CNA) designation.

To be successful as a nurse's aide, you must have patience and tact and want to help others. Good health and dependability are also required, as well as the ability to communicate and work well with others. Because the job can be physically challenging, learning how to avoid physical injuries is crucial.

Former nurse's aides often continue their education and transition to other health care careers, such as medical assistant, licensed vocational or practical nurse, or registered nurse. If you're interested in getting into this entry level health care career, research nurses aide training online.