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What is a Nursing Assistant?

Nursing assistants work alongside qualified nurses, performing tasks and activities as directed by their superiors. Nursing assistants are often responsible for the day to day care of patients, offering basic services and meeting their needs and reporting any changes or situations to nurses or other medical professionals when noted. Nursing assistants play an important role in hospitals and other care facilities, as they allow qualified professionals to deal with the most important problems without worrying about day to day care. The various tasks one may legally perform as a nursing assistant will vary based on regulations from state to state.

A nursing assistant can work in a variety of healthcare settings under the direct supervision of a qualified nurse or medical staff member.  The work settings for a nursing assistant can include a nursing home, hospital, hospice, private residence, mental health facility, and nursing care facilities.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$27,650

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

1,443,150

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Nursing Assistant Training

Healthcare Training Institute (Union, NJ) is one of the leading higher learning institutes that offers vocational programs in the state. The school aims to incorporate modern technology and comprehensive training for students. Graduates of HTI programs are expected to be competent and professional healthcare providers. HTI offers both long-term and short-term programs for students depending on their career goals. The Certified Nursing Aide training aims to provide the student with basic knowledge and skills needed to care for residents of long-term care facilities and to prepare the nurses aide to assume the responsibilities of a trained caregiver.

Acceptance Rate

37.5

Tuition

$15,500 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Southeast Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences (Cape Girardeau, MO) is a private institution dedicated in providing training and education to individuals who aim to have a career in the healthcare industry. It grants associate degrees and other certificate courses in nursing, and other allied health disciplines. It also has a 10-week Nurse Extern Program to further enhance the knowledge and skills of the students. An Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program is offered to prepare students to be generalists in the progression of registered nursing.  The nursing program offers different tracks allowing a more flexible delivery of education. 

Acceptance Rate

50

Student to Faculty Ratio

4:1

Career Training Solutions (Fredericksburg, VA) also known as Eastern Virginia Career College aims to train and educate students to be the best professionals in the healthcare and medical industry. The college provides hands-on training that serves as a practice for students to enhance their skills and knowledge. Some of the popular programs from EVCC are Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Specialist, Phlebotomy, and Practical Nurse programs. The college provides a 12-month program composed of high-quality theoretical courses, and laboratory and clinical experiences. Students are also required to take General Education courses to pass the program. EVCC’s nursing assistant degree program confers an associate’s degree for students that complete the course. 

Acceptance Rate

63.89

Tuition

$31,479 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton (Fenton, MO) operates as a private higher education institution that focuses on providing allied health and medical programs. The college provides training to students and professionals who aim to have a career in these particular fields. Some of the popular programs offered are Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant and Medical Billing and Coding. The institute grants diplomas, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s, and a master’s degree in Health Administration. Several programs are allowed to be taken online. 

Acceptance Rate

100

Tuition

$30,466 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

30:1

In Lewiston, Maine, you can find the Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions. Lewiston is the second largest city in the state of Maine, with a population of 36,592 in the last census. Lewiston is a rather cold town, but if you can handle the snowy weather, you’ll enjoy all of the city’s events. Each year Lewiston has a great number of festivals, and many use museums and the public theatre as a way for residents to get out and enjoy their time. There also a number of local amenities and offerings that make the stay a fun one—for example, Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary is the biggest bird sanctuary in the New England region.

At Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions, students can expect relatively small enrollment levels. The enrollment was listed at 204 in 2012. In that same year, tuition was listed at $8,930. Out of state residents will be happy to know that both in state and out of state tuition is listed as being the same, meaning that out of state residents won’t have to pay anymore for the same education as those living in the state of Maine.

The Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professionsoffers associates degrees in Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, and Radiologic Technology. The certificate programs offered include Computer Tomography, as well as General Education courses. The school has a cafeteria where students can eat at reduced rates, as well as subsidized housing for students who are also working on campus. If you are interested in applying, the fee is $40.

Acceptance Rate

52.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Arkansas Tech University (Russellville, AR) is a public university that grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of fields. The Ozark campus focuses on providing associate and certificate education. The university offers a range of nursing programs. It has a pre-licensure program which is designed for students who aim to become a registered nurse. It also has a LPN-BSN program. This is designed for licensed psychiatric technician nurses (LPTN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) who plan to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The Ozark campus offers a certificate program in nursing assistant

Acceptance Rate

94.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Future Tech Institute (Miami, FL) is a two-year career institute. The institute offers an Associate's Degree in Nursing Assistant. The curriculum includes theory, lab and clinical rotation experience. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).   FTI is a highly regarded institution with an expanding reputation for providing exceptional academic programs.  Learn more about the degree programs and certificates offered by Future Tech Institute of Miami today. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Methodist College (Peoria, IL) is a private college that is dedicated in providing education and training to address the needs of the community. The college offers  five learning opportunities in nursing and health sciences. Students who aim to have a career as nursing assistants can take a certification program at the college. The program is designed to fit for both students and working adults. Successful completion of the program allows students or adults to take the State of Illinois Nurse Aide Exam

Acceptance Rate

43.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Cambridge Institute of Allied Health & Technology (Delray Beach, FL) offers a wide range of healthcare education program options. These programs are designed to provide students with proper training based on the current needs of the industry. The institute offers a Nursing Assistant diploma program. It is a certification program and the students are expected to take the programs within five weeks and 120 clock hours. After passing, graduates are eligible to take the Florida Nursing Assistant certification examination. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Washburn Institute of Technology (Topeka, KS) is a public institute of technology that offers education and training for students and adults. The programs offered lead to technical degrees which addresses the needs of the local economy. The Certified Nursing Aide program is open for high school juniors and seniors as well as post-secondary students. The curriculum provides students with classroom and hands-on clinical experience. Successful students who complete the program can take the Nurse Aide Certification exam administered by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Acceptance Rate

50.35

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Moore Norman Technology Center (Norman, OK) is a public career and technology education center. This institution offers 32 career programs facilitated by experts. Moore Norman Technology Center aims to help individuals to grow professionally in a particular field. The Nursing Aide program at Moore Norman prepares students to pass two state certification exams - Long-Term Care Nurse Assistant and Home Health Care Nurse Assistant. Successful students who complete this program can also pursue a bachelor’s degree or graduate studies. The program is designed for high school seniors and juniors. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$2,625 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

28:1

Lex La - Ray Technical Center (Lexington, MO) is a public high school that provides career training for students. The curriculum is packed with classroom instructions and hands-on training. The center aims to develop the students technical skills. Practical nurses provide assistance to registered professional nurses and/or licensed physicians. A Certified Nursing Assistants is also offered as a post-secondary program. Students are required to have clinical training. 

Acceptance Rate

56.25

Tuition

$13,782 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

InfoTech Career College (Paramount, CA) is part of Health Care Career College. The college is focused on providing vocational health care training to students and working adults. Nurse Assistant degree programs are offered to students across several locations in CA. It is an eight-week program for interested students. The program is fit for students who want to pursue nursing and other allied health education. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,079 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Central Coast College (Salinas, CA) is a private career training school providing comprehensive programs to its students. Health, veterinary, and business are just some of the areas of study offered in the college. The courses are designed to train students with skills that are on-demand and essential to their chosen field. The college believes that high quality education will result in a qualified professional. Graduates of the certified nursing assistant program will be granted with diplomas after a year of training and be well-positioned to successfully pass the CNA examination. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$15,550 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

University of Alaska Southeast (Juneau, AK) is a public university that offers a variety of academic programs. It has certificate programs, and degree programs from associates to master’s level. Nursing Aide is a career program that can be completed within two years or less. Students who haven’t had the chance to finish high school can still be admitted to this program. The program is offered across different colleges and universities in Alaska. Successful students who complete the program are eligible to take on the State Certification Exam. 

Acceptance Rate

60.57

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Hacienda La Puente Adult Education Center (La Puente, CA) is a public institution that provides education opportunities to high school students and adults. The center houses a variety of career programs that enhance the knowledge and skills of an individual before joining the workforce. The center offers a variety of health care programs including nurse assistant, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, and others. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$3,300 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

32:1

University of Alaska Fairbanks (Fairbanks, AK) is a public university that offers a variety of academic programs. It has certificate programs, and degree programs from associates to master’s level. Nursing Aide is a career program that can be completed within two years or less. Students who haven’t had the chance to finish high school can still be admitted to this program. The program is offered across different colleges and universities in Alaska. Successful students who complete the program are eligible to take on the State Certification Exam. 

Acceptance Rate

75.99

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Washington-Holmes Technical Center (Chipley, FL) also known as the Florida Panhandle Technical College.  The center offers academic and technical training to students and adults. The programs are designed to equip students with relevant skills addressing the industry needs. The center offers a one-year practical nursing program. Practical nurse assistants work under the supervision of an RN or a physician. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$3,890 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction, CO) is a public university that grants associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. The school adopts a liberal arts curriculum exposing students to a variety of learning. CMU aims to help students to develop important skills that can help them pursue graduate studies or assist them in finding employment. The school also offers technical certificates that can be completed in a shorter period. With small class sizes and expert faculty, students at Colorado Mesa University receive a quality, personal education. Interested students can take a technical certificate on practical nursing as an entry program to the nursing career ladder.

Acceptance Rate

78.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Charlotte Technical Center (Port Charlotte, Florida) offers a variety of programs leading to a vocational certificate. Interested adults can also take a career program to enhance skills or pursue a new career path. Some adult career programs are Medical Administrative Specialist, Digital Design, Dental Assisting, Nursing, Automotive Service Technology, Cosmetology, Early Childhood Education, Computer Systems Technology, and Drafting. Nursing assistant program is offered to high school students. The program prepares students to assume roles across the nursing discipline. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Commonwealth Technical Institute (Johnstown, PA) is a private career school that offers several career-focused programs. Some of the popular programs in the institute are focused on medical and allied health, construction trade, and culinary. Nursing assistant is one of the popular programs offered at CTI. The institute offers remedial classes and counseling sessions to guide students in their chosen careers. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Green Country Technology Center (Okmulgee, OK) is a public career and technology education center that serves both high school and adult students. Most medical and health programs grant certificates upon completion. The center aims to provide quality training and education to students who aim to jump start their careers in a particular industry. Practical nursing assistant degree is offered to adult students only as of the time of this writing.  It is a program that prepares students to be licensed practical nurses. The program will take 12 months to complete based on full-time matriculation. 

Acceptance Rate

84.62

Tuition

$2,625 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Canton City Schools Adult Community Education (Canton, OH) is a learning institution that focuses on assisting adult students to prepare for a college degree. The school offers career programs that will  enhance students’ skills and knowledge. Other programs are for further training and career advancement. Programs are exclusively offered to individuals who are residing within Stark County and are older than 18.

Acceptance Rate

93.75

Tuition

$15,560 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Manatee Technical Institute (Bradenton, FL) is a public school providing technical education and career training to residents of Manatee county. Programs are offered to both high school students and adults who want to learn new skills and improve their professional careers. Programs have practical components that are taught by industry professionals, providing students with first-hand industry knowledge. The Nursing Assistant degree program offered at the East Campus. It aims to prepare its students to be workforce-ready after completion. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$4,332 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Universal Beauty School (Sweetwater, FL) owns the Universal Career School which offers a variety of career programs for interested members of the community. The school is known for its cosmetology programs. Allied Health and Accountancy programs are also offered. It has an associate degree program in Nursing and a Home Health Aide (HHA) program. HHA is a 72-clock hour program providing theory and practical instructions to students. Clinical/lab experience services are also required to train students for necessary skills. 

Acceptance Rate

-

Tuition

$39,400 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

How to Choose a College as a Nursing Assistant

Many colleges and universities offer nursing assistant courses online.  With the technological advances of today, the quality of the nursing assistant program is more readily accepted than ever before.  Both employers and students see the value in earning a quality online nursing assistant certificate program.  The benefits of earning a nursing assistant certificate online include flexibility, independence, and autonomy of a self-paced program from a state-recognized, accredited college or university.

With dozens upon dozens of online learning opportunities for future nursing assistants, you will need to establish a framework for decision making to narrow down your college options.  A decision tree to assist you in the process can look similar to the following:

  1. Establish a priority list – An example priority list of questions can be found on pages 3-4 of the MatchCollege Complete Guide to College Admissions Guide
  2. Request feedback – Ask counselors, teachers, family, school alumni, and friends for feedback on your priority list to elicit valuable input.
  3. Perform a self-assessment – By taking stock of your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes you will more readily be able to winnow down school options leading to a nursing assistant certificate. From grades to work experience and from career goals to lifestyle objectives, a self-assessment will prove to be invaluable.
  4. Gather information – Gathering information from accredited colleges and universities will allow you to overlay their programs with your priorities. When you marry your priorities with the nursing assistant certificate programs available, decisions become much easier than without a priority list.  Free services like MatchCollege will help you quickly get matched to a number of programs of interest to research schools offering on-site or online nursing assistant programs.
  5. Getting matched – Once you have received information from a handful of quality schools, you can then assess your likelihood of admissions. Knowing a school’s admissions policies, requirements, education parameters, work experience, cost, and program length is a must.  Only then should you apply for admissions to a nursing assistant program.
  6. Financial aid – After your application for admissions is in queue, understanding your financial aid options is the next step in the process. Learn what options exist for grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans before committing to a nursing assistant program.
  7. Acceptance – Aligning your goals with the school’s offerings and overall cost will allow you to make a quality decision about a nursing assistant program. Once you accept a school’s offer of admissions, you will need to understand the timing, processes, and resources needed to begin matriculation.
Classes in an Online Nursing Assistant Program

While classes for online nursing assistant certificate programs will vary from school to school and state to state, we have created a list of typical classes to help you better understand the courses involved.  A sample list of classes in an online nursing assistant course may include:

  • Intro to Nursing Assisting
  • Infection Control & Wellness
  • Special Body Systems Care
  • Patient Environment
  • Home Healthcare
  • Patient Safety & Controls
  • Proper Patient Positioning & Transportation
  • Patient Care Essentials
  • Emergency Care
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Measuring Vital Signs
  • The Long Term Care Patient
  • Phlebotomy Lab & Injections
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Nursing Assistant Certificate?

A nursing assistant program will vary in length depending on the number of classes taken and the college or university requirements.  Online nursing assistant certificates can last from 4-8 weeks of full-time matriculation while other programs may be closer to a year.  While most accredited colleges and universities offer nursing assistant certificate programs, some schools offer transitional programs as a bridge to a Registered Nursing (RN) degree.

How Do I Become a Nursing Assistant?

In order to become a nursing assistant, students will need to have a high school diploma or GED plus qualified nursing instruction from an accredited, state-approved higher education institution. These institutions can be a college, university, community college, trade school, vocational school, technical college, career college, or hospital. The final step in the process after successful completion of the nursing assistant program is to pass an exam to earn a certificate of completion plus any state-required tests.

If you know where you would like to work after obtaining your nursing assistant certificate, make sure to connect with their human resources manager or hiring manager while you are in school. If the healthcare facility or hospital requires work experience plus a certificate of completion from a state-approved post-secondary institution, work towards meeting those requirements as soon as possible. Organizing tasks in this manner will help with the transition from school to work and allow you to more quickly make an impact in the lives of others.

What Does a Nursing Assistant Do?

According to a recent survey of current Nursing Assistants performed by the U.S. Department of Labor, a nursing assistant is busy with a number of different duties over the course of a day and work week. The common set of job responsibilities as provided by current nursing assistants include:

  1. Communication with Supervisors & Peers Ongoing, daily communication with other nursing assistants and supervisors within a healthcare setting is mission critical. Communication may be face-to-face, over the telephone, written on a chart, or through email correspondence.
  2. Assisting & Caring for Patients Caring for patients is at the heart of what a nursing assistant provides any healthcare facility. Job duties for a nursing assistant working in any healthcare organization may include: answering the phone, repositioning patients, answering call signals, providing physical support of daily activities, understanding patient allergies and dietary restrictions, measuring nutritional needs, and reporting any issues to related medical professionals.
  3. Obtaining Information In order to obtain quality information from others, a nursing assistant must ask great questions. By asking quality questions, you will be able to better identify issues, categorize concerns, and recognize changes in circumstances more readily.
  4. Interpersonal Relationships Nursing assistant find themselves establishing and maintaining relationships with patients and peers on a daily basis. These constructive and collaborative working relationships help to build trust between all parties involved.
  5. Reporting A nursing assistant will need to be consistent and accurate when it comes to reporting changes in a patients health. While not tasked to diagnose a disease or illness, a nursing assist must carefully monitor patients and report changes to nurses and doctors accordingly.

Educational Requirements for Nurse Assistants

Nursing assistant programs offer individuals the education and experience necessary to assist nurses in treating patients and medical staff. Nursing aides are often responsible for the basic care of patients, assisting with the cleaning, feeding, and observation of patients within a given setting. Nursing assistant programs are generally short, often less than a year and cover the basics of nursing care. Programs are offered by vocational schools, community colleges, and some nursing care facilities. Some high schools may also provide nursing assistant programs, allowing graduates to immediately pursue work in the field after graduation. Programs will cover a variety of courses necessary to achieve certification and obtain the skills necessary to assist in patient care.

Courses a nursing assistant program may offer include:

  • Nutrition
  • Anatomy
  • Infection Control
  • Physiology
  • Personal Care
Online Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities in Nursing

Nursing assistants will typically work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other such facilities. Certification is necessary to work, and the requirements will vary from state to state. All states will require a minimum amount of practical hours before allowing entry into the certification exam. Practical hours may be obtained through educational programs as part of the curriculum or through internship and volunteer opportunities. Once passed, nursing assistants are placed on a state registry, often a requirement for employment in certain environments. Additional requirements may also be in place in certain states, such as criminal background checks or continuing education courses in order to maintain certification.

Nursing assistants are often the primary caregivers to patients, particularly long term patients. They are responsible for daily care as directed by a supervisor, and in some instances may be responsible for the administering of medication. Nursing assistants may also be responsible for clerical work, including documenting patient treatment and histories. Though the level of work is not particularly complex, and understanding of nursing health care practices and medical terminology is beneficial, if not necessary, for long term employment. The work is considered demanding, and often requires such unpleasant duties as emptying bedpans. The work environment can be hazardous as nursing assistants will be exposed to possible disease, but this is no more so than any other medical career.

Skills necessary as a nursing assistant include:

  • Communication
  • Analyses
  • Organization
  • Patience

Careers for Nursing Assistants

Nursing assistants can take a number of different paths during their career in healthcare.  As an entry-level position at most hospitals and healthcare organizations, a nursing assistant will typically look to advance their career in a number of different directions based on career objectives and opportunities within their organization or industry.  A set of the most common career paths for a nursing assistant may include the following:

Online Degrees for Nursing Assistants

Employment: Job Growth, Salary and Related Fields

Due to high turnover and an increasing demand for medical care as the population grows older and life expectancy increases, job opportunities for nursing assistants is expected grow rapidly. The need for qualified assistants will increase as patient care comes into higher demand and the attention of nurses and physicians is spread across a larger number of individuals. This will particularly be true in large urban areas with a higher concentrations of people which require more resources for treatment.

Careers similar to a nursing assistant that may be of interest to you include Medical Assistants, Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), Certified Medication Aides (CMA), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Orderlies, Psychiatric Aides, Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA), Nurses' Aide, and Nursing Aide, and Nursing Assistant.

The average salary for a nursing assistant is $27,650 per year, with a projected 17% growth adding approximately 267,800 jobs over the coming decade. Salaries increase with experience, though there is an upper limit due to the lack of career mobility. Supervisory positions are normally held by healthcare managers or nurses, and as such individuals seeking upward movement or career stability will pursue a degree in a related field in order to obtain increased responsibilities.

Largest Employers of Nursing Assistants

  1. Skilled Nursing Care Facilities 602,630
  2. Medical and Surgical Hospitals 354,450
  3. Assisted Living Communities 161,130
  4. Home Health Care Services 77,360
  5. Employment Services 42,490

States with the Highest Number of Nursing Assistants

  • California 99,140
  • New York 98,040
  • Florida 90,890
  • Texas 87,930
  • Pennsylvania 76,300

Top Paying States for Nursing Assistants

  1. Alaska $37,520
  2. New York $34,300
  3. Nevada $33,650
  4. District of Columbia $33,380
  5. California $32,770

If you are interested in becoming a nursing assistant you may also want to look at a career as a medical assistant, physical therapist assistant, or phlebotomist. For more information about earning a Nursing Assistant degree, simply visit the accredited colleges and universities below or visit our online nursing resource page or career portal to learn more careers in nursing. Additional information about the nursing profession, check out the CNA-Network and read our Complete Guide to the Nursing Profession on our blog before picking a college.

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