Formal training usually lasts one to nine weeks under close supervision of a general duty nurse or licensed practical nurse. Medical corps experience in the armed forces is considered appropriate. Extended care and skilled nursing facilities require at least six months experience in a similar facility, completion of a formal nursing course in community college or hospital affiliated school, and participation in a State approved work study program leading toward certification as Nursing Assistant. Training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, consists of 100 hours of clinical practice and 50 hours of classroom instruction. Acute care hospitals require high school graduation, six months to one year experience, and certification appropriate to extensive medical treatment.
Most government agencies require candidates to pass a written and oral test.
A medical exam is required by most employers. Necessary personal qualifications include verbal ability, dependability, good judgment, tact, emotional stability, and the ability to work with others. Uniforms and supplies are provided or paid for by the employer. There is no formal line of promotion, but with additional training and schooling, the aide can work in a specialty area such as pediatrics, geriatrics, surgery, medicine, obstetrics, orthopedics, and psychiatry. Many employers encourage career advancement by giving training within the facility and by offering flexible work schedules to make formal classroom study easier.