WHAT IS A NURSE AIDE?
The evolution of healthcare reform over the past five years has significantly emphasized the importance of patient-centered skills. With more individuals gaining access to medical care through President Obama’s healthcare legislation, clinics and hospitals face increased pressure on their medical staff due to the surge in demand.
While doctors and nurse practitioners are well-versed in the latest medical practices, their expertise primarily revolves around clinical aspects—diagnosing conditions, prescribing treatments, and analyzing results to tailor patient plans. However, these roles often lack the personal touch that many patients seek, particularly when dealing with unfamiliar and distressing medical circumstances.
Within the shifting healthcare landscape, nursing aides play a crucial role, acting as a vital bridge connecting patients and healthcare practitioners. They serve as a valuable and frequently hands-on resource for individuals who need assistance not necessarily with the overall blueprint of their comprehensive treatment but rather in handling the day-to-day challenges that may prove challenging for some.
ARE ONLINE NURSING AIDE PROGRAMS FOR YOU?
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing an online nursing aide program.
When it comes to educational prerequisites, nursing aide roles demand less formal training compared to professions like doctors, nurse practitioners, or registered nurses. Unlike these occupations, nursing aide positions typically do not necessitate extensive medical or scientific education. Instead, the focus is primarily on direct patient care, assisting with daily activities such as bathing and dressing, rather than formulating and implementing treatment plans.
Given the hands-on nature of nursing aide work, many careers in this field offer on-the-job training, often requiring candidates to have a high school diploma or GED. Given the nature of patient interactions, communication skills hold paramount importance. The lion’s share of a nursing aide’s responsibilities involves interacting with patients, making effective communication skills indispensable. Additionally, considering the evolving demographics of the patient population, studying a foreign language like Spanish, French, or German can be advantageous.
In addition, it’s essential to note that in most states, nursing aides are required to obtain licensure before they can begin practicing.
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Southern New Hampshire University
- Take advantage of some of the nation’s most affordable tuition rates, while earning a degree from a private, nonprofit, NEASC accredited university
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- Multiple term start dates throughout the year. 24/7 online classroom access.
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Colorado State University Global
- Ranked #8 by U.S.News & World Report for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
- Apply up to 90 transfer credits for bachelor’s students, and 9 transfer credits for master’s degree students.
- CSU Global graduates experience a return on investment of 4:1, which means they receive $4 in salary and benefits for every $1 they invest in their education.
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Western Governors University
- Award-winning programs created to help you succeed.
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- Programs start monthly – Apply free this week!
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WHAT DO ONLINE NURSING AIDE PROGRAM COURSES LOOK LIKE?
Some common courses include:
CPR and First Aid: Learn how to help patients during an emergency. This course may cover what to do in the event of choking, bleeding, shock, seizures, and more.
Intro to Health Sciences: This course may review the basics of how health care works – from science to business. And, you could learn how health care teams work together to get results.
Nurse Aide Skills: Find out what goes into serving diverse patient needs. You could learn basic nursing skills, ethics, and how to communicate with patients.
Nutrition: Discover the ins and outs of nutrition, and the role it plays in human health. You could learn how our nutritional needs change based on our behaviors and life stages.
NURSING AIDE POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS AND SALARIES
The diverse and wide-reaching nature of the medical profession means that, like doctors and nurses, nursing aides have a variety of settings in which they can practice. While many work in hard clinical settings such as hospitals, nursing aides can also be of great value in long-term care facilities and residential nursing homes.