Nurse aides are an important part of the medical profession. Here's what you need to know. 

What is a nurse aide?

A nurse aide is a person who helps care for patients in a hospital or other healthcare setting.

They assist the registered nurse in charge of a patient with many tasks, including:

• Activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating
• Vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
• Recording information in the patient's medical chart
• Transporting patients to different areas of the hospital
• Keeping patients comfortable and calm
• Communicating with other members of the healthcare team

What are the requirements to become a nurse aide?

Like most healthcare careers, nurse aides must pass a criminal background check. You cannot become a nurse aide if you have a felony on your record. In addition, many states require the following:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Complete an approved nurse aide training program
• Pass a state-approved competency exam

Check with your state's board of nursing to learn more about the specific requirements in your state.

What is nurse aide training?

While every state has different requirements, nurse aide training generally includes both classroom and clinical components. The topics covered in training include:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Basic nursing skills
• Patient rights
• Infection control

After successfully completing a nurse aide training program, you must participate in clinical training in a healthcare setting and pass a state-approved competency exam.

What is the certification test for nurse aides like?

Nurse aide training or CNA training (certified nursing assistant) concludes with a two-part exam. While the testing varies slightly from state to state, there is typically a written exam to test the student's knowledge as well as a competency exam, which tests the student's ability to perform certain tasks, like cleaning dentures safely or transferring a patient with a Hoyer lift.

Is there job mobility for certified nurse aides?

Nurse aides have excellent opportunities for upward mobility with additional training. A nurse aide can transition into nursing school to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and then a registered nurse (RN). With the completion of a bachelor's degree (BSN), the possibilities are promising in nursing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be a 6% increase in the need for nurses through 2030.

The American Nurses Association, however, argues that the need will likely be much higher, leading to a nursing shortage, due to accelerated retirements post-pandemic. Both statistics create job mobility for new graduates at all levels of nursing.

Overall, nurse aides play an important role in the healthcare field by providing assistance to registered nurses and patients. If you are interested in becoming a nurse aide, research the requirements in your state and consider enrolling in an accredited training program near you.