Nursing/Psychiatric Aide
PrintWork Tasks
NURSING/PSYCHIATRIC AIDES help care for people with physical or mental illnesses, injured people, and people with disabilities. They take care of these people in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and mental health settings. Nursing aides perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff. Aides watch for changes in the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of patients, and report any changes to nursing or medical staff. Psychiatric aides help care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals. They work in a team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. Psychiatric aides watch patients and report any physical or behavioral signs that might be important for the professional staff to know.
Salary, Size & Growth
- $30,500 average per year ($14.75 per hour)
- A very large occupation (1,515,800 workers in 2010)
- Expected to grow moderately (1.8% per year)
Entry Requirements
NURSING/PSYCHIATRIC AIDES need a high school diploma or work experience to get a job. Hospitals may require people with experience. Nursing homes often hire inexperienced workers who must complete mandatory training and pass a competency evaluation. Nursing aide training is offered in high schools, vocational-technical centers, nursing homes, and community colleges. Courses cover body mechanics, nutrition, personal care, anatomy and physiology, infection control, communication skills, and resident rights.