Nursing Assistant

• Nursing assistants (CNAs) help the licensed nurses care for patients, particularly elderly and disabled. Nursing assistants work in hospitals and nursing homes. Training programs require no math at all and a very basic anatomy and physiology course. Nursing assistants must learn about certain diseases and the aging process as well. As far as earnings, the average yearly income for nursing assistants was $24,980 in 2009, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The job outlook is expected to be "excellent," according to the bureau.
  
  

Practical Nursing

• Practical nurses are generally a step up from the nursing assistant and are alsp called LPNs or LVNs. While the CNA position requires no math and minimal science, practical nurses must know more. Practical nurses administer drugs to patients, so it is necessary to know basic mathematics for calculating drug dosages. The anatomy and physiology is a bit more involved than what is necessary for CNAs. However, it is significantly less math and less science than what is necessary for registered nurses. BLS reports that LPNs and LVNs make a higher income, a mean annual wage of $40,900--twice that of CNAs.
  
  

Psychiatric Technician

• Psychiatric technicians perform the same duties as LPNs and LVNs, but work in a mental health capacity. Psychiatric technicians care for patients suffering from mental illnesses or who are developmentally disabled. The math and science courses required to become a psychiatric technician are about equal to that for practical nurses because psychiatric technicians also give medications to patients. Other duties include: assisting with hygiene and grooming, documenting, observing and helping with therapy sessions. The BLS reports average yearly income as $30,730. The top employers of psychiatric technicians are psychiatric hospitals and substance abuse centers.
  
  

Home Health Aide

• Home health aides care for disabled and elderly patients, generally in their homes. Some home health aides work in residential facilities. Home health aides provide direct care like CNAs, but also do light housekeeping duties and meal preparation. Many training programs for CNAs include certification for home health aide. There is no math or science required. Home health aides complete a training program or are trained on the job. Home health aides can obtain certification from the National Certification for Home Care and Hospice. Earnings were $21,620 for 2009, according to BLS. Job opportunities for home health aides are also excellent, the bureau reports.