Nurse Aide Job Description

Julian Robinson · Jul 22nd, 2025 · Comments Off

A nurse aide job description explains a paraprofessional that helps the individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Their work is under direct supervision of a registered nurse or another health care professional. Their daily duties and responsibilities include serving meals and, if needed, helping the patients that can’t eat by themselves, helping the patients to dress, bathe, and go to the toilet, transferring patients, and measuring the basic parameters like checking vital signs, measuring blood pressure, and temperature. They are also responsible for the documentation and safety awareness of the patients. Depending on the training level their duties and responsibilities can vary from those listed.

Education and training

Becoming a nurse aid or nurse assistant requires completing a state approved education and a training program through community colleges, medical facilities, nursing homes, high schools or Red Cross. After passing the state competency examination, you can take the certification from the educational program and you need to take a brief period on the job training to learn and get comfortable with all the specific duties and procedures. You can also choose to be certified in a special area, but some of the requirements vary in different states. The CMA or certified medication assistant can also give medications.

Work Description

The nurse aids are giving the basic health care for patients and residents in nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or other health care facilities. They can work in the public and private sector. Their work is spent mainly on foot taking care for the patients needs. They have increased physical tasks and are trained how to properly assist, lift or move patients with injuries. Good physical stamina, patience and compassion attitude, as well as great communication skills are required qualities for the working place of any nurse aide. They are working full time, and their schedule hours may include working during weekends, nights, or holidays.

Salary and wages expectations:

In May 2024, the median annual wage for nursing assistants in the U.S. was $39,530. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that half of all nursing assistants earned more than this amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,390, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $50,140.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Median Annual Wage (May 2024): $39,530
Lowest 10%: Less than $31,390
Highest 10%: More than $50,140
Orderlies: The median annual wage for orderlies was $37,700.
Experience: Salaries can increase with experience. For example, CNAs with more than ten years of experience might earn approximately $22.39 per hour, according to DirectShifts.
Location: CNA salaries can vary significantly by state. Alaska, for example, has a higher average salary than many other states.
Industry: The industry also plays a role. Government positions tend to pay more than nursing care facilities, reports the BLS.