Selecting a profession to train in should be based on the passion of the student. A nurse assistant career is definitely one that requires a heart and desire to help someone that is unable to do things independently. For someone that is pursuing training in this career, the average time to complete the training is less than two weeks. This allows the student to quickly start their new life as a nurse assistant.What is a Nurse Assistant?A nurse assistant is also known as a nurse's aide and is responsible for more hands-on tasks with patients. Depending upon the setting to which the nurse assistant works, duties can include bathing, assisting the patient to the restroom, dressing, checking blood pressures and temperatures, and even feeding. Although a nurse assistant is not trained to perform medical tasks such as starting an I.V. or giving a patient medication, she is still an important part of the care team.The Training ProcessTraining to be a nurse assistant consists of completing a certain amount of hours in class. The amount of hours spent is usually 80; however this amount varies with each state. Upon completion of the class, the nurse assistant is eligible to test to be certified. Certification is done on a state level and consists of both written and life-like skills test. Once a nurse assistant is certified, she will need to earn CEU or Continuing Education Credits to maintain her certification each year.Life after TrainingOnce a person has received nurse assistant training, she can start looking for employment within the medical field. The majority of nurse assistant jobs come from nursing homes. Nursing homes rely on nurse assistants to assist patients with their daily needs as most professional nurses are strictly used for medication and paperwork. A nurse assistant can also seek employment within hospitals and doctor offices. In a hospital, she may be referred to as a patient assistant or an orderly. The tasks are often the same as a nursing home, but the patients will range greatly in age whereas a nursing home is generally reserved for the elderly.