Nursing Assistant (NA)

Overview

What Is a Nursing Assistant?

A Nursing Assistant (NA) is a healthcare professional who works closely with patients to assist them in their daily activities. This can include tasks like bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility assistance. The NA is trained to monitor vital signs, observe patient conditions, and report any changes to the nursing or medical staff. They play a key role in patient care by providing both physical and emotional support to those in need.

Nursing Assistants are often the first point of contact for patients, helping to bridge the gap between individuals and the broader healthcare team. They typically work alongside the Practical Nurse (PN), Vocational Nurse (VN), and Registered Nurse (RN). While they provide essential hands-on care, they do not administer medications or manage care plans like other nurses. The NA role is an important first step in the nursing career ladder, often serving as a stepping stone toward nursing roles such as PN, VN, RN, or Advance Practice APRN.

Education

How To Become a Nursing Assistant

To become a Nursing Assistant, you must complete a state-approved training program, typically offered through local community colleges, vocational schools, nursing schools, or online platforms. These programs cover core topics such as patient care techniques, communication skills, and infection control. After completing your training, you must pass a state competency exam, often referred to as the CNA exam, to become certified. Continuing education may be required to maintain your certification over time.

Follow these steps to become a Nursing Assistant:

1. Complete a Nursing Assistant Program. Enroll in a state-approved program offered by a community college, vocational school, or nursing school. This training prepares you with the foundational skills to support patients in various healthcare settings.
2. Pass the Competency Exam. After completing the training, you must pass a state-approved competency exam, which includes both written and practical components.
3. Obtain Certification. Once you pass the exam, you will receive certification, allowing you to legally work as a Nursing Assistant. Requirements may vary by state, so be sure to check your local regulations.
4. Gain Practical Experience. Many programs include clinical hours where you can gain hands-on experience in a healthcare setting. This is essential for preparing you to handle real-world patient care.
5. Maintain Certification. Most states require the NA to renew their license every two years, which may require verification of continuing education credits and work hours.

How long does it take to become a Nursing Assistant? The timeline to become a Nursing Assistant can vary, but most nursing assistant programs can be completed within 4 to 12 weeks. After finishing the program, you will need to pass the competency exam, which may take a few more weeks depending on scheduling. Overall, the process from training to certification can take anywhere from 2 to 4 months.

Average Salary

How Much Does a Nursing Assistant Make?

Nursing Assistants earn modest salaries compared to other nursing roles, but the position offers a reliable entry point into the healthcare field. On average, a Nursing Assistant can expect to earn between $28,000 and $49,000 per year, depending on location, employer, and experience level.

Average annual salary for a Nursing Assistant:

• Entry-level: $28,000 - $35,000 per year.
• Mid-career: $35,000 - $42,000 per year.
• Experienced: $42,000 - $49,000 per year.

The latest salary report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the median annual wage for Nursing Assistants is $38,630. The average hourly wage is $18.57. Wages range from $13.80 per hour for the lowest 10% to $23.50 per hour for the highest 10%. This translates to an annual salary range of approximately $28,700 to $48,880 for full-time work. Those working in government facilities or large city hospitals may earn higher wages, while long-term care and home health services tend to pay slightly less. Geographic location and demand also impact overall compensation.

Nursing Assistants have numerous opportunities for career and earnings growth. As an entry-level nursing role, the NA gains important hands-on healthcare experience while earning a salary. After gaining experience, many Nursing Assistants choose to advance their careers by becoming a Practical Nurse, Vocational Nurse, or Registered Nurse. CNA to RN bridge programs can help those who want to earn RN credentials while continuing to work.

Job Duties

What Does a Nursing Assistant Do?

Nursing Assistants perform a variety of job duties under the supervision of licensed nurses and medical staff. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health settings, where they help meet patients' basic needs and assist with daily care routines. The most common job duties of a Nursing Assistant:

• Assisting with Daily Living Activities. Help patients with tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility to ensure their comfort and safety.
• Taking Vital Signs. Monitor and record patient blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate, and report findings to the nursing team.
• Supporting Patient Mobility. Assist patients with walking, transferring between beds and wheelchairs, and repositioning to prevent pressure injuries.
• Ensuring Cleanliness and Hygiene. Change linens, tidy patient areas, and assist with personal hygiene to maintain a clean and sanitary environment.
• Providing Emotional Support. Offer companionship and reassurance to patients, especially those experiencing stress, confusion, or long-term illness.
• Additional Duties. Depending on the workplace, Nursing Assistants may collect specimens, assist with medical equipment setup, restock supplies, or support nurses during certain procedures.

Nursing Assistants spend much of their shift on their feet, moving between patient rooms and completing hands-on tasks. Work schedules often include nights, weekends, or holidays, especially in facilities that require 24-hour care. The role can be physically and emotionally demanding, but it offers a direct connection to patient care and valuable experience for those pursuing advanced nursing roles.

Essential Skills

What Skills Does a Nursing Assistant Need?

Nursing Assistants need strong interpersonal skills and a steady presence when working with patients who may be in pain or distress. Most tasks require physical activity, clear communication, and attention to safety procedures. Here are some of the skills a Nursing Assistant needs to succeed:

• Compassion and patience. Offer support to patients during basic care routines and emotional moments.
• Physical stamina. Perform tasks such as lifting, repositioning, and helping patients move safely.
• Observation. Notice changes in a patient's behavior or condition and report them to nursing staff.
• Communication. Explain procedures to patients and relay information to the broader healthcare team.
• Time management. Complete daily routines and assist multiple patients during a shift.
• Cleanliness. Ability to maintain clean and organized patient areas using proper sanitation techniques.
• Infection control. Apply safety protocols, such as hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to reduce the spread of infection.

One of the challenges in this role is the physical and emotional intensity of patient care. Long hours on your feet and working with individuals in poor health can lead to fatigue, especially in understaffed facilities. Building physical stamina and stress resilience is key to staying effective in this demanding environment.

Work Environment

Where Does a Nursing Assistant Work?

Nursing Assistants work in a range of healthcare environments where patients need basic care and daily living support. Some roles are fast-paced and temporary, while others provide long-term care for residents with chronic conditions. The most common workplaces for a Nursing Assistant include:

• Hospitals. Work in departments such as emergency, surgical recovery, and medical-surgical units, assisting with patient monitoring and direct care tasks.
• Nursing Homes. Provide extended care for older adults or individuals with disabilities who require assistance with daily activities and medical monitoring.
• Rehabilitation Centers. Support patients recovering from surgeries or injuries, often assisting with mobility, therapy exercises, and personal care routines.
• Home Health Care. Deliver one-on-one care in private residences, helping individuals with chronic illness, post-surgery recovery, or end-of-life support.
• Assisted Living Facilities. Help residents who need light support with personal care and medications while encouraging a degree of independence.

Work environments can vary in pace and complexity, but all require strong attention to patient needs and safety. Some Nursing Assistants may work full-time in one location, while others take on short-term assignments through staffing agencies or registries.

Related Careers

Continue reading our healthcare career guides.

Practical Nurse

Vocational Nurse