Sunday, December 23, 2012

A Brief Introduction to the Field of Nursing Assistants

A Nursing Assistant is a person who is lower than a licensed nurse but is still doing just about the same tasks as a nurse. The assistant is not licensed and therefore is usually supervised by a licensed nurse. There is no experience that is required to get a job in this particular field. A certain course can be taken that can teach you all you need to know about nursing and you are good to go. You can choose to be a part time or a full time job. You are usually required to do 8 to 9 hour shifts. Each state has different certification requirements before you can work in that field.

Nursing aides are in great demand because they are preferred over fresh licensed nurses. The reason why many institutions and hospitals opt for them is because they are paid less than the nurses for doing the very same job. Apart from this nurse also needs to get further training while on the job and work towards a specialization. This is time consuming and costs the institution. In the case of the aide there is no such condition. The training that they have received is enough and so they can start work right away.

People believe that an assistant's job has no real future and no scope to grow. This is not true at all. Once you have gained enough experience you can swiftly move from one pay package to the next (a sign of financial growth). In the field of personal growth with the amount of experience you will gain you will be able to easily apply for a nursing license and grow from there. Many assistants have been known to move through the ranks with their unparalleled experience and even make it to specialized nurses.

The job of an assistant is mainly to keep good care of the patients. Thereby they are either hired by hospitals, elder care homes or by individual families to take care of an ailing family member. In hospitals and homes they are required to cater to all the patients, give them as much attention as possible and give them their medications. Apart from this they are required to do any and all jobs that are set t them by their supervising nurses. In the case of home care it is completely different. When a family hires you as a home care professional it can be a part time arrangement or a 24 hour deal. In the case of the part time arrangement the care of the patient is completely in your hands until a family member can relieve you at a particular time. The 24 hour arrangement however is when the home care professional stays in the home of the patient's family and cares for the patient round the clock.

If you are looking to make this your career and you have taken the required courses it is best to join an agency that will be able to provide placement for you. Though you can do it on your own the chances of getting hired can be easily multiplied if you join an agency.








The National Senior Living Providers Network (NSLPN) is a premiere online community for nslpn.com Nursing Assistant Jobs, news and information for professionals working in the Senior Care Marketplace.

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