How to become a nursing assistant
Help nurses to provide patients with direct support and services in health and community centres and environments.
What does a nursing assistant do?
Nursing assistants help nurses provide patients with support and services in health and community centre environments. They are understanding and helpful with patients and able to perform a variety of functions and services.
Duties and tasks
Provide specialised care and treatment for elderly, mental health patients and patients with disabilities.
Assist nurses, doctors, physical and occupational therapists in treatments and rehabilitation movements while treating patients.
Assist patients with personal requests to ensure they are comfortable and to minimise pain or discomfort.
Collaborate with nurses to understand individual patient circumstances and plan for recovery.
Help patients perform basic activities such as eating, showering and changing in hospitals, doctors offices, residential care and convalescent homes.
Monitor patients and notify nurses and doctors of patients development and reaction to treatments and medications.
Provide routine sterilisation and cleaning of patient rooms, linens and garments and maintain personal cleanliness and sterilisation to prevent infections from spreading.
Industry bodies
Related jobs
Discover nursing courses online
Undergraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
UndergraduateCUR-CHS-CTF
Take your first step towards a career in health—including nursing
Start building your foundational knowledge of human health and healthcare. Explore human bodies. Get to know health practice. For graduates of this online health course, the pathway to health careers and further studies is open wide.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing
PostgraduateMUR-CAN-GCE
Compassionate and collaborative care for patients with cancer
Specialise in cancer care. You’ll learn to build respectful and responsive therapeutic relationships. Apply evidence-based practice. Strengthen collaboration with healthcare teams. Graduate ready to nurse people through the cancer care continuum.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Wound Care
PostgraduateMUR-AWC-GCE
Develop your skills in wound care and management
Further your nursing expertise with this specialised course. Develop advanced wound care and infection prevention techniques to improve patient outcomes. Learn from experts in the field of wound care and management. Study 100% online.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
PostgraduateGRF-NSC-MAS
For registered nurses ready to progress to health leadership
Fast-track your career in healthcare management and innovation. You’ll build skills in nursing education and research. Prepare for advanced practice. Explore quality and safety. Complete a research project. Study with a leading Australian nursing school.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
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