What Is a Nurse Aide
WHAT IS A NURSE AIDE?
A nurse aide (sometimes called nursing assistant or direct care worker) is a very caring person who sees the purpose in his/her life being to help give patients/residents the care and assistance they need to be comfortable, safe, and in the best state of wellness they can be. These Aides always work under the supervision of a licensed nurse. They can work in hospitals or nursing homes.
Some of the basic tasks they perform are:
- taking and recording vital signs
- bathing the patient; exercising with the patient/resident
- changing the patient's bed linens
- helping with teeth brushing, nail care, hair care
- help with feeding when necessary
- keeping the patient/resident's room safe and tidy
Aside from these tasks, the one fulfilling opportunity an aide will always have is talking to and listening to the patient/resident. These people are often sick, scared, in pain, confused, sad, lonely, and experiencing very stressful situations. Pills and doctors do not always cure all ills, a listening ear and a hand to hold can often make a world of difference in someone's day and life!
Nurse aides are people who care for patients. They perform all types of personal care for patients who cannot care for their physical needs. They must have the ability to understand the aging process. They must have good verbal skills to communicate between the patient and other members of the health care team. They must have a desire to be sensitive to the needs of the aging population.
The nurse aide must have the ability to stand, walk, lift, and pull. They will be providing physical and psychosocial care of patients with long-term illnesses, and also patient who, due to changes of aging, are no longer able to care for them.
DRESS CODE:
Female Student Uniforms: Solid white uniform pants, with white knee high or calf-length socks. Below the knee uniform dress, skirt, culottes with full-length white nylons. White blouse uniform, loose fitting knit top, or white scrub top and scrub bottoms.
Male Student Uniforms: Solid white shirt and pants or white scrub top and scrub bottoms, and calf-length socks.
Sweaters: Type: Cotton button down, not baggy. Color: White, navy blue, gray or black.
Shoes: Clean white polished; clinical, low heel, non-skid soles or clinical style sneaker. No color stripes, swish, etc. No clogs or canvas, sandals, stacked heels, open-toe or open-heel shoes. Clean white shoestrings.
Fingernails: Must be no longer than 1/8” (including acrylic), clear unchipped nail polish.
Jewelry: Smooth, plain band. No earrings dangling below earlobe. No bracelets, necklaces, or visible body rings. Tattoos must be covered by clothing or other means.
Wrist Watch: Mandatory with second hand.