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What is a nursing attendant and how to become one
Unlike regular nurses who assist doctors in hospitals, nursing attendants focus more on long-term care. Many of them work in assisted living facilities, correctional institutions, or residences of the elderly or disabled.
Nursing attendants specialize in patient care. They take vital signs, assist patients in daily care, compose reports and documentation, and even provide post-mortem care. A nursing attendant's life can be emotionally draining, so these individuals have to demonstrate patience, compassion, and positivity.
US federal law requires that all nursing attendants be either certified, licensed, or state-approved. Most nursing attendants have undergone some form of higher education to pass those required tests. Nursing attendants in the United States earn, on average, $27,912 a year or $13.42 an hour. Of course, licensed nursing attendants make higher average salaries, with some employers paying as much as $40,000 a year.
What general advice would you give to a nursing attendant?
Jason Mott Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pre-licensure Program Director/Assistant Dean, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Avg. Salary $30,630
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 9%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.94%
Asian 6.93%
Black or African American 12.19%
Hispanic or Latino 18.33%
Unknown 5.05%
White 56.55%
Genderfemale 75.19%
male 24.81%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Nursing attendant career paths
Key steps to become a nursing attendant
Explore nursing attendant education requirements
Start to develop specific nursing attendant skills
Skills Percentages Patients 32.02% Vital Signs 7.55% Blood Pressure 6.98% BLS 6.62% Cleanliness 5.57% Complete relevant nursing attendant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New nursing attendants 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 nursing attendant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real nursing attendant resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed nursing attendant usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed nursing attendant in most of states. 25 states require nursing attendants to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alaska Degree required Third-party exam required Nurse Aide Arkansas Specific course required Both state and third-party exams required Nursing Assistant (Certified) California Specific course required State exam required Certified Nurse Assistant Colorado Specific course required State exam required Nurse Aide Connecticut Specific course required State exam required Nurses Aide Research nursing attendant duties and responsibilities
- Insert straight catheters and manage Foley catheters.
- Maintain guidelines of OSHA and HIPPA standard requirements.
- Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergency situations.
- Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergency situations.
Prepare your nursing attendant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your nursing attendant 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 nursing attendant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable nursing attendant resume templates
Build a professional nursing attendant 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 nursing attendant resume.
Apply for nursing attendant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a nursing attendant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first nursing attendant job
Egnes Mudembo
Nursing Attendant
I gained more experience working with people and how to be confident about speaking. I did not even dream that one day I will be in Malta but in 2015 I got an opportunity to travel with work to an Asian country and then after a year I landed in Malta. I worked different types of job until 2020 I got the opportunity to study for free here that is then I choose my dream job nursing. At 42 I started my course and at 45 I graduated as a nurse. It was not easy but I grabbed the opportunity and stopped working full time and started working part time while I am studying.
Average nursing attendant salary
The average nursing attendant salary in the United States is $30,630 per year or $15 per hour. Nursing attendant salaries range between $19,000 and $47,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do nursing attendants rate their job?
Nursing attendant reviews
Very fulfilling and rewarding
Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!
The ability to show care, love & compassion to those whom have none or family can't give time to show any. It's like being the missing piece to a puzzle we all if lucky enough get to live long enough to experience. It's making someones day by just remembering to watch their hands and face before/ after meals. To give proper attention to teeth, to let dressing am or pm still br a choice they make. I know im a good human with an oversized caring heart and although sometimes its exhausting working extra hrs or having to do all or extra work on short staffed days it's worth it. And slow and steady wins the day. They are people whom have gone through & experienced more then we will ever get too.
All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at đź‘Ťway to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.
Nothing
Updated January 8, 2025
