Nursing Assistant
Medical Assistant & Health Sciences
Perform routine nursing-related services to patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities, under the training and supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
What Nursing Assistants Do
Perform routine nursing-related services to patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities, under the training and supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
Common Tasks
- 1Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
- 2Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
- 3Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
- 4Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
- 5Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
Types of Nursing Assistants
Work Environment
Locations
- • Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- • Hospitals
- • Assisted living facilities
- • Rehabilitation centers
- • Home health agencies
Schedule
Work is typically shift-based with set schedules, often including nights, weekends, and holidays depending on the facility.
Physical Demands
The job is physically active with lots of standing and walking, plus frequent bending and repositioning or transferring patients. It requires stamina and safe body mechanics to reduce injury risk.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 1,441,500 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
An aging population and higher rates of chronic illness increase the need for hands-on daily care in nursing homes, assisted living, and hospitals. High turnover in direct care roles also creates steady openings.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong number of job openings each year
- • Quick entry into healthcare and patient care experience
- • Work available in many settings and locations
- • Meaningful, hands-on work helping people daily
- • Clear pathway to advance into other nursing roles
Cons
- • Physically demanding with risk of strains and injuries
- • Emotionally challenging (illness, dementia, end-of-life care)
- • Exposure to infectious diseases and bodily fluids
- • Shift work can include nights, weekends, and holidays
- • Pay may feel low relative to workload in some areas
Common Questions About the Nursing Assistant Trade
Ready to Get Started?
Not Sure This Trade is Right?
Take our free career quiz to discover trades that match your interests and skills.
Take the Career Quiz