What are the Different Nurse Aide Training Programs?

Nurse aide training programs vary by jurisdiction, education provider type, and curriculum. Depending on the area in which someone wishes to practice as a nurse aide, he may be required to complete a short course at a nursing facility, a vocational school, or a community college. He may also need to obtain professional certification or licensure before his services can be reimbursed by public or private insurance.

Nurse aides assist in the care of patients who have difficulty completing daily living tasks for themselves and may also provide basic health care services to their clients. A nurse aide may provide home health care, work in a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, or may work in a hospital. In general, nurse aides work under the supervision of an institution's nursing staff. Those who are interested in becoming a nurse aide may have their choice of nurse aide training programs in which they can obtain the education and skills they need to effectively function as a nurse aide.

In some cases, an aspiring nurse aide can complete one of the nurse aide training programs offered in institutional care settings, such as a nursing home. Individuals may be hired at the nursing home and trained in their program to perform standard nurse aide tasks, such as assisting patients in and out of bed, bathing patients, and monitoring vital signs. The nurse aide may also be trained in nutrition and in the preparation and knowledge of special diets. After the trainee aide completes the nurse aide course, he may be eligible for licensing or certification as a nurse aide. Similarly, someone may start as a personal-care attendant working for home health service and may receive training on the job to eventually become a nurse aide.

Other types of nurse aide training programs are offered in a school setting. For example, many vocational schools offer nurse aide training programs alongside other health care vocational classes, including medical assisting or dental assisting. These courses typically include classroom education along with fieldwork in a hospital or institutional health care environment. Community colleges also offer nurse aide training programs and, in some cases, vocational high schools may likewise offer this type of training. While not all jurisdictions require formal training for a nurse aide, some countries, such as the United States, do require the completion of a formal training program for nurse aides who wish to work in certain types of institutions.