Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
In many cases, neither a high school diploma nor previous work experience is necessary for a job as a nursing or psychiatric aide. A few employers, however, require some training or experience. Hospitals may require experience as a nursing aide or home health aide. Nursing homes often hire inexperienced workers who must complete a minimum of 75 hours of mandatory training and pass a competency evaluation program within four months of employment. Aides who complete the program are placed on the state registry of nursing aides. Some states require psychiatric aides to complete a formal training program.

Job Outlook:
Job prospects for nursing aides should be very good through the year 2005. Employment of nursing aides is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations in response to an emphasis on rehabilitation and the long-term care needs of a rapidly growing population of those 75 years old and older. There will be an estimated 2,006,000 psychiatric and nursing aides by 2005.

Sources of Additional Information:

For information on nursing careers in long-term care, write: