Nursing aides help care for the physically ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings. They perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff.

• Nursing aides employed in nursing care facilities often are the principal caregivers, having far more contact with residents than do other members of the staff. Therefore interpersonal and communication skills are an essential part of the job.
• In many cases, a high school diploma or equivalent is necessary for a job as a nursing or psychiatric aide.

Nursing care facilities often hire inexperienced workers, who must complete a minimum of 75 hours of mandatory training and pass a competency evaluation as part of a State-approved training program within 4 months of their employment.