Nurse aides and orderlies assist nurses, physicians and other health care workers in the basic care of patients, and transport patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers for treatment or surgery.

In general, you usually need some high school education and on-the-job training.

You may also need a college or private institutional program, such as nursing aide, which includes supervised practical training.

Some health care facilities may also require you to complete specialized courses such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and food handling/sterile processing.

Most recent entrants have a trade/vocational certificate or community college diploma, and almost 1 in 10 has an undergraduate university degree.