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worried18 · Nov 25, 2010, 09:34 AM

Hi guys, I'm just wondering what is a Nurse's aid? We do not have them in my country..

Curlyben · Nov 25, 2010, 09:57 AM

Well, as the name suggests, it's someone that assists a Nurse with their duties.

excon · Nov 25, 2010, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by worried18

Hi guys, I'm just wondering what is a Nurse's aid?

Hello worried:

They empty bedpans, clean up blood, and change bedding. It AIN'T glorious.

excon

worried18 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:16 AM

Do they have to qualify or anything? I'm just really intruiged by it all.

excon · Nov 25, 2010, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by worried18

Do they have to qualify or anything?

Hello again, w:

I think they do. But, I don't know what they need or how to get it.

excon

Wondergirl · Nov 25, 2010, 10:28 AM

In hospitals around me, they are called Patient Care Technicians (PCTs). They hand the patient the meds (and a glass of water) that the RN had set up, bring meal trays to patients, and generally do the drudgery that keeps RNs from doing the more vital duties.

Health care is booming, so that field should be a good place to work in.

J_9 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:28 AM

In most places, yes they have to go to school and get certified. But they don't go to school as long as an RN.

worried18 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:32 AM

So how many years would it take, do you know?

J_9 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:33 AM

In my area it's only a matter of months of schooling, not years.

worried18 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:35 AM

I see, thank you.

J_9 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:37 AM

They don't get pain much though. They clean dirty diapers, clean bedpans, change sheets with the patient still in the bed.

They cannot give medication, start IVs or many other things.

I'd actually rather work at McDonald's than be a nurses' aid where I am from.

worried18 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:40 AM

Hmm not very attractive at all

Wondergirl · Nov 25, 2010, 10:40 AM

In the Chicago area, it's usually a two-year program at a community college (or maybe a certified program for slightly less time).

J_9 · Nov 25, 2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

In the Chicago area, it's usually a two-year program at a community college (or maybe a certified program for slightly less time).

That's interesting. I went through a 2 year program at a community college and I have my AAS and am a RN.

Seems like a waste just to be an aide.

Wondergirl · Nov 25, 2010, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

That's interesting. I went through a 2 year program at a community college and I have my AAS and am a RN.

Seems like a waste just to be an aide.

I think "aide" is not a term used around here. Schooling depends on what nursing level a person wants to be at -- very basic (CNA), less basic (LPN), and up from there to RN and BSN to MSN or higher. The titles and schooling needs have changed so much around this area. There's a big demand for home care (seniors want to stay at home as long as possible) and also for assisted living caretakers at all nursing levels. I've noticed a lot more guys have gotten into nursing or some variation on medical care.

J_9 · Nov 25, 2010, 01:59 PM

CNA and LPN usually go to a tech or vocational school around here.

Once you have your RN, you are an RN. You go back to school to get more letters behind your name. Hopefully, shortly, I'll be an RNBSN.

And yes, more men are getting into healthcare.