Nursing

You provide care for sick, injured or disabled people. You help people recover from sickness or injury. You may assess a patient’s health problems. You may also help teach patients how to be healthy.

Job Description

You help people in their own home or in a nursing home. You may help them eat, take baths, get dressed, or groom themselves.

Academic Requirements

State training requirements for homemaker-home health aides vary. For cases where Medicare offers reimbursement, the federal government demands aides pass a 12-part competency exam that includes communication skills, basic knowledge of body function and changes, proper procedures in the event of an emergency, nutrition and other skills involving the care of ailing individuals.

Job Description

You provide basic care to patients, directed by nurses. You help patients eat and give baths. You may dress, groom or move patients. You may also change patients’ sheets.

Academic Requirements

Training requirements for nursing aides vary by state and by institution.

Job Description

Like a certified nurse assistant, you provide care to sick, injured, recovering or disabled patients. You may work under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Academic Requirements

Entrance to a practical nurse educational program may require a high school diploma or its equivalent, although a diploma definitely is recommended. Of the nearly 1,100 state-approved training programs, most are offered through vocational/technical schools and community or junior colleges. After a one-year educational program, graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN examination.

Job Description

You care for sick and injured patients. Once you assess the patient, you may create and carry out plans to care for them. You will maintain medical records and may help teach patients how to be healthy.

Academic Requirements

In all states, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the national licensing exam (NCLEX) to obtain a nursing license. Nurses can be licensed in more than one state but cannot practice without a license. Licenses must be renewed periodically and may require continuing education.

Job Description

You care for sick and injured patients. Once you assess the patient, you may create and carry out plans to care for them. You will maintain medical records and may help teach patients how to be healthy.

Academic Requirements

In all states, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the national licensing exam (NCLEX) to obtain a nursing license. Nurses can be licensed in more than one state but cannot practice without a license. Licenses must be renewed periodically and may require continuing education. Many nursing students obtain a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing, which is a four-year program. Because of the complexities of today’s patient care, some hospitals prefer nurses who have acquired additional leadership and critical thinking skills through a four-year college education.