How to Be a Nurse Aid

A nurse aid or certified nursing assistant is a health care worker who works under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse or other medical staff. Nurse aids can be found in assisted living facilities, medical centers and nursing homes. They check the vital signs of patients and help nurses with medical equipment. They also work closely with patients and assist them in their daily tasks, such as feeding and bathing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED diploma to help you become a nurse aid. Make sure to take science classes in high school such as chemistry and biology. This will make it easier to understand the subjects you will encounter when you enroll in a certified nursing assistance course.

2. Enroll in a certified nursing assistance course and finish it. You will need to finish a three- to four-month course for certified nursing assistant education, which is available in most states. There are innumerable colleges and technical schools that offer this program and you find them online or in your local yellow pages. Some states will require licensure together with certification, but your school will usually help you prepare and apply for that. Also, see the link in the Resources section for a directory of schools that offer the certified nursing assistance training program near you.

3. Get trained in the following skills: CPR, first aid and using an automated external defibrillator. Acquiring these important skills will prepare you for an emergency situation and will aid in expanding your resume and increase your chance of getting work.

4. Read review materials for the certified nursing assistant exam. Reading and studying these books ahead of time will help you get through the certified nursing aid program more easily. In addition, these review materials will help you prepare to take the certified nursing assistant exam in your state.

5. Take the certified nursing assistant certification exam in your state. Contact the institution or college where you received training for information on where and how to apply for certification in your state, because regulations differ from state to state.

6. Find a job as a certified nursing assistant. After you pass the certified nursing assistant exam, you can start to look for a job. Send out your resumes to health agencies, nursing homes and hospitals. If you want to try to get work at a hospital, simply go to the human resources department and directly submit your resume to them.

References

• American Red Cross: Nursing Assistant Training
• "Careers in medicine," Terence Sacks, Publisher: McGraw-Hill 2006

Resources

• American Red Cross: CPR, First Aid, AED classes
• CNA Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Cram
• CNA Training program

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.