Discover a career as a NURSE AIDE, HOME HEALTH AIDE, or HOME CARE AIDE

What does a nurse aide, home health aide, or home care aide do?

Nurse aides and home health aides help nurses and other members of the health care team provide patient care. Nurse aides usually work in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term facilities under the supervision of licensed health care professionals. They also may work in private homes or psychiatric care settings.

Home health aides/home care aides provide in-home services for those unable to care for themselves or who require assistance with daily living activities.

What might a nurse aide, home health aide or home care aide do in a workday?

Nursing Aides:

take and record patients’ temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and weight.
set up medical equipment and perform simple treatments.
assist patients in and out of bed.
move patients to and from treatment rooms.
assist with or provide bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and other hygiene needs.
serve meals and feed patients as required.
make beds and perform other housekeeping activities to maintain cleanliness in patients’ rooms, nurseries, and operating rooms.
assist patients with walking and exercises.

Home Health Aides:

taking and recording patients’ temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and weight.
assisting with administering medications.
changing simple, non-sterile dressings/bandages.
assisting with or providing bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and other hygiene needs.
helping patients in and out of bed.
purchasing food and preparing and serving special diets to patients and families.
preparing and serving light meals and assisting or providing feeding.
performing housekeeping activities to maintain a healthy home environment.
assisting with walking and exercises.

How much does a nurse aide, home health aide or home care aide earn?

$22,000 - $28,000

How do I become a nurse aide, home health aide or home care aide?

Students intending to pursue a career as a nurse aide should prepare by taking high school courses in math, English and science. Nursing assistants must complete an approved program and complete a national certification examination to receive the designation “Certified Nurse Aide.”

Home health aides or home care aides also may be required to complete a training program or pass a skills competency test. State requirements can vary for the home care aide. Many states require workers to be Certified Nurse Aides with additional training to work in the home setting. Home health aides or home care aides may be required to have a driver’s license and transportation.

Where else can I learn about becoming a nurse aide, home health aide or home care aide?

National Network of Career Nursing Assistants
3577 Easton Road / Norton, OH 44203
tel: (330) 825-9342 / web: www.cna-network.org

National Association for Home Care and Hospice
228 7th Street S.E. / Washington, DC 20003
tel: (202) 547-7424 / web: www.nahc.org

National Association of Health Care Assistants
501 E. 15th Street / Joplin, MO 64804
tel: (800) 784-6049 / web: www.nahcacares.org

State Licensure Requirements for Nurse Aides:

A license is required to practice as a nurse aide in the state of Virginia. For more information, applications and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing.

Virginia Board of Nursing
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4515 / Email: nursebd@dhp.virginia.gov