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What is a first aid nurse and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Jason Mott Ph.D.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a first aid nurse. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.67 an hour? That's $30,521 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 9% and produce 137,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a first aid nurse?

Jason Mott Ph.D.Jason Mott Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Pre-licensure Program Director/Assistant Dean, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

I think the best advice for new graduates is to be flexible. Things are going to change daily. It is essential to be able to go with the flow. Also, take time for yourself. As the numbers of covid patients increase, staff members are at high risk of developing burnout. It is essential to take time for yourself to relax and get away from everything, even if for only a few minutes. That way, you can prevent becoming burned out.
ScoreFirst Aid NurseUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $30,521

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.5

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.99%

Asian 7.79%

Black or African American 9.19%

Hispanic or Latino 14.50%

Unknown 5.21%

White 62.31%

Gender

female 64.97%

male 35.03%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

First aid nurse career paths

Key steps to become a first aid nurse

  1. Explore first aid nurse education requirements

    Most common first aid nurse degrees

    Bachelor's

    50.1 %

    Associate

    21.7 %

    High School Diploma

    11.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific first aid nurse skills

    SkillsPercentages
    First-Aid32.45%
    EMT9.95%
    Emergency Situations7.57%
    BLS6.21%
    Patient Care5.36%
  3. Complete relevant first aid nurse training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New first aid nurses learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a first aid nurse based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real first aid nurse resumes.
  4. Gain additional first aid nurse certifications

    First aid nurse certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific first aid nurse certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for first aid nurses include Medical Assistant and Advanced First Aid & CPR.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research first aid nurse duties and responsibilities

    • Graduate from EMT training class.
    • Participate as a first aid responder during football and basketball games.
    • Work with the local fire department and EMT teams to provide first aid for the local community.
    • Volunteer for numerous public duties, including concerts and sporting events, as part of a first responder team
  6. Prepare your first aid nurse resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your first aid nurse resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a first aid nurse resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable first aid nurse resume templates

    Build a professional first aid nurse resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your first aid nurse resume.
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
    First Aid Nurse Resume
  7. Apply for first aid nurse jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a first aid nurse job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first first aid nurse job

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Average first aid nurse salary

The average first aid nurse salary in the United States is $30,521 per year or $15 per hour. First aid nurse salaries range between $21,000 and $44,000 per year.

Average first aid nurse salary
$30,521 Yearly
$14.67 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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