Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Nursing Assistant or Orderly Nursing assistants must be able to communicate effectively to address patients’ or residents’ concerns. Nursing assistants typically must complete a state-approved
Education
program and pass their state’s competency exam. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Education and
Training
Nursing assistants often need to complete a state-approved education program that includes both instruction on the principles of nursing and supervised clinical work. These programs are available in high schools, community colleges, vocational and technical schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. In addition, nursing assistants typically complete a brief period of on-the-job training to learn about their specific employer’s policies and procedures. Orderlies typically have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and receive a short period of on-the-job training.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Specific requirements for nursing assistants vary by state. Nursing assistants often need a state-issued license or certification. After completing an approved education program, nursing assistants often must pass a competency exam, which allows them to use state-specific titles. In some states, a nursing assistant is called a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), but titles vary by state. Nursing assistants who have passed the competency exam are placed on a state registry. They must be on the state registry to work in a nursing home. Some states have other requirements as well, such as continuing education and a criminal background check. Check with state certifying agencies for more information. In some states, nursing assistants may earn additional credentials, such as Certified Medication Assistant (CMA). As a CMA, they may dispense medications. Orderlies do not need a license; however, jobs might require certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS).
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 203,300 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment As the population ages, nursing assistants and orderlies will be needed to help care for an increasing number of older people who have chronic or progressive diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. Demand for nursing assistants may be constrained by financial pressures on nursing homes, which might lead some facilities to close or reduce staff. However, increased opportunities are expected in home- and community-based settings as patient preferences and shifts in policy generate demand for care in these settings. Nursing Assistants and Orderlies Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Home health and personal care aides; and nursing assistants, orderlies, and psychiatric aides 14% Orderlies 4% Nursing assistants 3% Nursing assistants and orderlies 3% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Nursing Assistants and Orderlies Do
Nursing assistants, sometimes called nursing aides, provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
Duties
Nursing assistants and orderlies work as part of a healthcare team under the supervision of licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses.
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help with activities of daily living. They typically do the following:
- Clean and bathe patients
- Help patients use the toilet and dress
- Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs
- Listen to and record patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses
- Measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Serve meals and help patients eat
Depending on their training level and the state in which they work, nursing assistants also may dispense medication.
Nursing assistants are often the principal caregivers in nursing and residential care facilities. Nursing assistants often develop relationships with their patients because some patients stay in these facilities for months or years.
Orderlies typically do the following:
- Help patients to move around the facility, such as by pushing their wheelchairs
- Clean equipment and facilities
- Change linens
- Stock supplies
Work Environment
Work Environment
Nursing assistants held about 1.5 million jobs in 2025. The largest employers of nursing assistants were as follows:
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 36% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 32 |
| Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly | 11 |
| Home healthcare services | 5 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 3 |
Orderlies held about 52,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of orderlies were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 86% |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 5 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 4 |
| Administrative and support services | 2 |
| Special food services | 2 |
The work of nursing assistants and orderlies may be strenuous. They spend much of their time on their feet as they care for patients.
Injuries and Illnesses
Nursing assistants and orderlies have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. These workers frequently move patients and have other physically demanding tasks. They typically get training in how to properly lift people, which can reduce the risk of injuries.
Work Schedules
Although most nursing assistants and orderlies work full time, some work part time. Because nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals provide care at all hours, nursing assistants and orderlies may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Nursing assistants and orderlies must listen and respond to patients’ concerns. They also need to share information with other healthcare workers. Compassion. Nursing assistants and orderlies help and care for people who are sick, injured, or need aid for other reasons. They need an empathetic attitude to do their work. Patience. The routine tasks of cleaning, feeding, and bathing patients may be stressful. Nursing assistants and orderlies must be able to complete these tasks with professionalism. Physical stamina. Nursing assistants and orderlies spend much of their time on their feet. They must be able to perform tasks such as lifting or moving patients.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about nursing assistants and orderlies by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.