Healthcare

Nursing Assistants

Also Known as: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), Nurse Aide, Nursing Department Assistant

In-Demand Job

Nursing Assistants Shutterstock 113334061

Average Earnings Over Time

$9/hr

$14/hr

Low

High

Salaries may vary per region

Provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, or move patients, or change linens. May transfer or transport patients. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.

Top Skills for this Job

Service Orientation
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking
Monitoring
Coordination
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking

Top Tasks for this Job

Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.
Change bed linens or make beds.
Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum.
Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support.
Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
Gather information from caregivers, nurses, or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities.
Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds, or blood in urine.
Prepare or serve food trays.
Provide 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.
Record height or weight of patients.
Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff.
Remind patients to take medications or nutritional supplements.
Restock patient rooms with personal hygiene items, such as towels, washcloths, soap, or toilet paper.
Review patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences to ensure patient receives appropriate diet.
Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.
Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.
Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.