Nurse Aides & Orderlies Description OES Code: 660080 Work under the direction of nursing or medical staff to provide auxiliary services in the care of patients. Perform duties such as answering patient's call bell, serving and collecting food trays, and feeding patients. Orderlies are primarily concerned with setting up equipment and relieving nurses of heavier work. Does not include Psychiatric Aides and Home Health Aides. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $6.12 minimum – $9.87 New, experienced: $6.50 minimum – $11.00 3 yrs+ experience: $7.55 minimum – $13.00 Wages for Nurse Aides and Assistants vary by location, education and training, and experience level. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Nurse Aide might work day, evening, or night shifts at Hospitals and nursing homes. They also work on weekends and holidays, but most full time aides have a regular shift and work from 32 to 40 hours a week. Part-time schedules are also available. Fringe benefits for permanent employees normally include health insurance, sick leave, paid holidays and vacations. Employment Trends Employment 1996 87,500 Projected Employment 2006 109,820 Growth Rate 1996-2006 25.5% Openings due to Separations 13,310 Employment Trends by California County Employment is expected to grow due to the continuing emphasis on rehabilitation and the long-term care needs of an aging population. Employment opportunities should also result from the growing number of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Modern medical technology continues to save more lives and increases the need for Aides to provide extended care. Advancement Nurse Aides jobs are entry level jobs in the nursing field. There is no formal line of promotion, but with additional training and schooling, the aide can work in a specialty area such as pediatrics, geriatrics, surgery, medicine, obstetrics, orthopedics, and psychiatry. Many employers encourage career advancement by giving training within the facility and by offering flexible work schedules to make formal classroom study easier. Aides can also get their Bachelor's degree in nursing to become a Registered Nurse if they enjoy the field of healthcare. Getting the Job & Other Information Some employers recruit Nurse Aides in high schools and colleges. Trained workers may apply directly to local hospitals, nursing homes, civil service agencies, private employment agencies, Nurses Registries, and register with the California Employment Development Department. Other sources include the classified ads of local newspapers or medical publications. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Nurse Aides are hired on a combination of experience, training and certification. A high school diploma is required. Experience is preferred, but most employers are willing to train. Nursing homes and convalescent centers providing personal care prefer to hire Aides having up to six months experience but will consider mature applicants and train them on the job. Formal training usually lasts one to nine weeks under close supervision of a general duty nurse or licensed practical nurse. Medical corps experience in the armed forces is considered appropriate. Extended care and skilled nursing facilities require at least six months experience in a similar facility, completion of a formal nursing course in community college or hospital affiliated school, and participation in a State approved work study program leading toward certification as Nursing Assistant. Training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, consists of 100 hours of clinical practice and 50 hours of classroom instruction. Acute care hospitals require high school graduation, six months to one year experience, and certification appropriate to extensive medical treatment. Skills & Other Requirements Most government agencies require candidates to pass a written and oral test. A medical exam is required by most employers. Necessary personal qualifications include verbal ability, dependability, good judgment, tact, emotional stability, and the ability to work with others. Uniforms and supplies are provided or paid for by the employer. Nurse Aides must be able to follow orders and cooperate with other members of the health team. In clinics, public health agencies, and acute care hospitals, Nurses Aides help professional staff examine and treat outpatients. They process patient documents, schedule appointments and help patients and their families understand instructions given by medically trained staff. In skilled nursing facilities, Certified Nurse Assistants provide support services on a 24-hour basis for convalescents, the elderly, and chronically ill patients. In patients' homes, Nurse Aides provide nonprofessional nursing care and help with personal hygiene. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Nurse Aides/Nursing Assistants #442 Related Occupation: Licensed Vocational Nurses #313 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.