Career Development Grid

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are healthcare professionals who provide basic care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. They work under the supervision of registered nurses or licensed practical nurses and assist in the daily care of patients.
Education and Training Requirements:
To become a nursing aide, orderly, or attendant in Nigeria, one must have a minimum of a secondary school certificate. However, some employers may require a diploma or certificate in nursing assistance or a related field. Additionally, nursing aides must complete a training program that is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and pass a certification exam.
Typical Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are responsible for providing basic care to patients, such as helping them with bathing, dressing, and grooming, assisting with feeding, and monitoring vital signs. They may also assist with mobility and transfer of patients, as well as provide emotional support to patients and their families.
Earning Potential:
In Nigeria, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants earn an average salary of ₦50,000 – ₦80,000 per month. However, with experience and additional training, they can earn up to ₦100,000 per month.
Opportunities for Career Advancement:
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants may advance their careers by obtaining additional education and training, such as becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. They may also specialize in a particular area of healthcare, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them:
One of the biggest challenges facing nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants is the physical and emotional demands of the job. To overcome this, they must maintain a healthy work-life balance and practice self-care. They must also have strong communication skills to effectively communicate with patients and their families.
Gaining Experience and Building a Network:
To gain experience and build a network in this field, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants can volunteer at healthcare facilities or participate in internships. They can also join professional organizations, such as the Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives, to network with other healthcare professionals.
Job Prospects and Future Outlook:
The demand for nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants is expected to increase in the future due to the aging population and the need for more healthcare services. As such, there will be

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants typically require a high school diploma or equivalent. They may also need to complete a state-approved training program that includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. The length of these programs varies by state but typically lasts several weeks to several months.
After completing their training, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants may also need to pass a competency exam to become certified. Certification requirements vary by state and may require ongoing continuing education to maintain certification.
In addition to formal education and training, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants must also have strong communication skills, compassion, and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment. They must also be physically fit and able to lift and move patients.

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are healthcare professionals who provide basic care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. Their job duties and responsibilities may include:
1. Assisting patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
2. Turning and repositioning bedridden patients to prevent bedsores.
3. Helping patients with mobility and transferring them from bed to wheelchair or vice versa.
4. Taking vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.
5. Assisting with medical procedures, such as collecting specimens or administering medications.
6. Keeping patient rooms clean and organized.
7. Recording patient information, such as food and fluid intake and output.
8. Communicating with healthcare professionals, such as nurses and doctors, about patient needs and concerns.
9. Providing emotional support to patients and their families.
10. Following safety procedures and infection control measures to prevent the spread of diseases.
Overall, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants play a crucial role in providing quality care to patients and ensuring their comfort and well-being.

The earning potential for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants can vary depending on the level of education and experience.
In the short term, entry-level positions may offer hourly wages of around $10 to $15 per hour. However, with experience and additional education, such as becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), the hourly wage can increase to around $20 per hour or more.
In the long term, the earning potential for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants can also depend on career advancement opportunities. Some may choose to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs) which can significantly increase their earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for LPNs was $47,480 and for RNs was $73,300 in May 2020.
Overall, while the starting salary for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants may not be high, there is potential for growth and advancement in the healthcare field.

The opportunities for career advancement in the field of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants can vary depending on the individual’s education, experience, and career goals.
Some possible opportunities for career advancement in this field include:
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Many Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants start as CNAs, which requires additional training and certification. CNAs have more responsibilities and earn a higher salary than Nursing Aides and Orderlies.
2. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): With additional education and training, Nursing Aides and Orderlies can become LPNs, which involves administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and providing basic patient care.
3. Registered Nurse (RN): With a bachelor’s degree in nursing, Nursing Aides and Orderlies can become RNs, which involves providing a higher level of patient care, supervising other healthcare staff, and earning a higher salary.
4. Specialization: Nursing Aides and Orderlies can also specialize in a specific area of healthcare, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or mental health. This can lead to more specialized job opportunities and higher salaries.
5. Management: With experience and additional education, Nursing Aides and Orderlies can also move into management positions, such as nursing home administrator or director of nursing.
Overall, there are many opportunities for career advancement in the field of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants, depending on an individual’s education, experience, and career goals.

The biggest challenges facing Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants include:
1. Physical Demands: This job requires long hours of standing, lifting and moving patients, which can lead to physical exhaustion and injuries.
2. Emotional Demands: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants work closely with patients who may have serious illnesses or injuries, and may need to provide emotional support to them and their families.
3. Workload: The workload can be heavy, with many patients to care for and a lot of paperwork to complete.
4. Exposure to Illnesses: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants work in close proximity to patients who may have contagious illnesses, which can put them at risk of contracting these illnesses.
To overcome these challenges, Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants can take the following steps:
1. Maintain Physical Fitness: Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent physical exhaustion and injuries.
2. Develop Emotional Resilience: Attend workshops, seminars, and training sessions that help build emotional resilience, and seek support from colleagues, family, and friends.
3. Time Management: Prioritize tasks and develop a system for completing them efficiently, and seek help from colleagues when needed.
4. Practice Good Hygiene: Follow proper infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, wearing personal protective equipment, and proper disposal of contaminated materials.
Overall, Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants play a vital role in the healthcare system, and with the right skills and mindset, they can overcome the challenges they face and provide quality care to patients.

There are several ways to gain experience and build a network in the field of Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants:
1. Volunteering: Volunteering at a hospital, nursing home or other healthcare facility can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. It can also help you gain an understanding of the daily responsibilities of a nursing aide, orderly or attendant.
2. Internships: Many healthcare facilities offer internships for students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. These internships can provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
3. Certification programs: Completing a certification program in nursing assisting can provide specialized training and increase your chances of getting hired. These programs are often offered by community colleges or vocational schools.
4. Networking events: Attending networking events and job fairs can help you make connections with healthcare professionals and potential employers.
5. Professional organizations: Joining a professional organization such as the National Network of Career Nursing Assistants can provide access to resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education courses.

The job prospects for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants are currently good due to the high demand for healthcare services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to be driven by an aging population that will require more long-term care services.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of healthcare workers, including nursing aides, in providing essential care to patients. This has increased the demand for healthcare workers and may lead to further job opportunities in the future.
However, the job prospects for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants may also be impacted by changes in healthcare policies and funding. For example, changes to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement policies could affect the demand for long-term care services, which could in turn impact the demand for nursing aides.
Overall, the job prospects for Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants are currently good and are expected to remain so in the future due to the growing demand for healthcare services.

The most important skills and qualities for a Nursing Aide, Orderly, or Attendant include:
1. Compassion: These professionals work with patients who may be in pain or distress, and need to be able to show empathy and understanding.
2. Physical stamina: This job requires a lot of physical activity, including lifting and moving patients, standing for long periods of time, and performing repetitive tasks.
3. Attention to detail: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants are responsible for monitoring patients’ vital signs, administering medication, and recording information accurately.
4. Communication skills: They need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
5. Patience: This job can be demanding and stressful, and requires a lot of patience and emotional resilience.
6. Teamwork: Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants work as part of a team, and need to be able to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals.
7. Adaptability: They need to be able to adapt to changing situations and work with patients with a variety of needs and conditions.
8. Dependability: Patients rely on Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants for their care, so they need to be reliable and responsible.

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are in demand in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
1. Hospitals
2. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
3. Home healthcare agencies
4. Assisted living facilities
5. Rehabilitation centers
6. Hospice care facilities
7. Mental health facilities
8. Pediatric care centers
9. Private medical practices
10. Government healthcare facilities such as VA hospitals and military hospitals.

Misconception: Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are often seen as low-skilled workers who perform menial tasks like bathing and feeding patients.
Reality: While nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants do perform these tasks, they also play a crucial role in providing basic care to patients and supporting the work of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. They help patients with activities of daily living, such as dressing and using the bathroom, and they monitor patients’ vital signs and report any changes to the nursing staff. In addition, they may help with medical procedures, such as taking blood pressure or administering medication. These roles require a level of skill and training, and nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants must be compassionate and patient in their work. They are an essential part of the healthcare team and play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the best care possible.