| If you enjoy helping other people, a career in the | | | | your work will be overseen by trained professionals |
| medical field might be for you. The field is always in | | | | who with assist you with the proper procedures and |
| demand of qualified compassionate individuals who are | | | | medical understanding. |
| willing to put forth their best efforts to help others. A | | | | The combination of classroom learning and clinicals will |
| nurse assistant is an entry level position that will allow | | | | result in you being well prepared to enter the job |
| you the opportunity to help others and gain experience | | | | market as a nursing assistant. Often, the medical site |
| in the medical field. | | | | that oversees the clinicals will offer employment to |
| Since nurse assistants are needed throughout the | | | | those students who are learning well, following |
| nation, you will be able to secure employment | | | | procedures for their facility, and who have a positive |
| opportunities most anywhere. Job security is very high | | | | attitude. |
| in most areas of the medical field. The training | | | | Working as a nurse assistant can be very exciting and |
| programs to earn your certificate all vary depending on | | | | rewarding for the right person. The work is challenging |
| state regulations. However, most can be completed in | | | | and you may find yourself over extended at times. |
| four to six weeks on average. The cost of such | | | | Things in a medical setting will change all the time, so |
| programs is very low. | | | | the job definitely isn't predictable. There are so many |
| If you need assistance with the cost of the course, | | | | variables including the patients, then number of patients, |
| many programs offer scholarships or financial aid. In | | | | other staff, and the medical needs of the patients that |
| addition, many community agencies such as human | | | | you work day with never be predictable. |
| services will assist you with the cost of completing | | | | While being a nurse assistant is an entry level position, |
| such a training course. Some employers in the medical | | | | it is also a very important position. You will be |
| field will agree to either pay for your nurse assistant | | | | responsible for many daily living tasks for each patient. |
| training or reimburse you upon successful completion | | | | These tasks include bathing, grooming feeding, and |
| of the program. | | | | checking their vital signs. You will also be responsible |
| Most nurse assistant programs start every six to eight | | | | for assisting with medical equipment and moving |
| weeks. It will depend on the length of the course and | | | | patients as needed. The exact requirements of the |
| the interest in your particular area. This is different than | | | | position will vary depending on the facility you work for. |
| most certificate programs where you have to wait | | | | Becoming a nurse assistant generally does not take |
| until a full semester ends before you can enrol. | | | | very long. You will continue to learn about your role as |
| Sometimes that can mean a three or four month | | | | a nurse assistant once you secure employment. You |
| waiting period. | | | | will be exposed to medical information and procedures |
| During your nurse assistant training, you will attend a | | | | by the rest of the staff. This information will be very |
| classroom learning environment as well as receive | | | | valuable. Many people choose to use the role of |
| hands on training. The hands on training require you to | | | | nursing assistance as a foundation to continue their |
| complete a certain number of hours, called clinicals, | | | | education and become a nurse or to explore other |
| working at a medical facility with actual patients. All of | | | | types of employment in the medical field. |