Nursing assistants

Good fit if you …enjoy working with people and solving problems.

Typical pay

$36,220/yr

Education

Certificate or Associate degree (many entry roles) | Bachelor's for some specialties | …

Outlook

↗ Steady

Save this career★ View shortlist Explore My Fit

Why this matters in Healthcare

Nurses are the largest part of the healthcare workforce.

What you’d actually do

Help patients with bathing, dressing, and eating, take vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse), assist patients in and out of bed, serve meals, change bed linens, and report patient conditions to nurses.

What can I do right now?

Take relevant classes. 2) Join an activity/club. 3) Build 2–3 small projects or experiences. 4) Get feedback from a pro. 5) Add one credential or micro-course. 6) Apply for a summer experience.

How this career can grow

Many careers advance from entry-level roles → specialist → lead/supervisor → manager/director. Leadership, credentials, and strong results accelerate growth.

How much education?

Certificate or Associate degree (many entry roles) | Bachelor's for some specialties | On-the-job training common

Path 1 – Most Common: Certificate or Associate degree (many entry roles) | Bachelor's for some specialties | On-the-job training common Path 2 – Alternative: On-the-job training or apprenticeship programs may be available. Path 3 – Self-Directed: Build experience through volunteering, part-time work, and certification programs.

Certifications: Role-dependent certifications (draft examples): industry-specific credentials, professional licenses, and micro-credentials.

Compare costs of certificates/community college vs. bachelor's degrees. Consider paid apprenticeships, scholarships, and earning while learning options.

What to take in high school

BiologyChemistryHealth scienceMathAnatomyFirst aid/CPRMedical terminologyPsychology

Skills you’ll use

Patient careMedical terminologyAttention to detailEmpathyCommunicationCommunicationteamworkreliabilitytime managementproblem solvinglearning mindset.

Where you might work

Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, physician offices, rehabilitation centers

Sources

Pay, education, and outlook figures come from the LaunchPoint Navigator career library (BLS/O*NET-sourced), mapped to SOC code 31-1131. Figures are typical ranges, not guarantees.

Related careers

Registered nurses

Be the person patients trust most, every shift.

$93,600/yrCertificate/Associate for many tech roles | Bachelor’s+ for nursing/advanced roles | Li…↗ Steady

Nurse practitioners

Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).

$129,210/yrCertificate/Associate for many tech roles | Bachelor’s+ for nursing/advanced roles | Li…⇧ Strong

Didn’t know it existed

Nurse anesthetists

Good fit if you …like learning by doing (projects).

$223,210/yrCertificate/Associate for many tech roles | Bachelor’s+ for nursing/advanced roles | Li…↑ Above Average

Didn’t know it existed

Is this career right for you?

Career Worlds shows you what’s possible. LaunchPoint Navigator helps you figure out which careers actually fit you — and how to get there.

Explore My Fit →