$33, 000 for Medical Assistant program

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Worth it or no? The local LPN program is only 12, 000 but hard to get in, and I'd rather avoid all the icky stuff. I want to work in the health field but also as a "receptionist" so I find that being a CMA fits me perfectly.

Specializes in Acute Rehab, IMCU, ED, med-surg.

Oh, please don't. That is a huge amount of money to pay for a position that pays about the same as a CNA position. Yes, I know the CNA job involves "icky stuff." But $33,000!!!!!! :down: :no: :uhoh3: That's the cost of getting a master's degree (MSN) at a private university!!!! Run fast and far away from this opportunity!

In my area, a good CNA program costs $1000-1200 to complete (nothing if you get a job with an employer that conducts their own CNA course), the community college ADN-RN program costs about $11,000-12,000 to complete both years, and BSN programs charge about $30,000-$50,000/year depending on the school.

The payments alone on the student loans would probably run about $150-200/month!!!!

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The LPN program was free ten years ago with the exception of uniforms and supplies. There are community colleges and vo-tech schools that are probably out there for cheaper. Absolutely not worth it!

Free LPN school? Uhhhh I think not, not even in 1987 when I went to school lol

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Specializes in Addictions/Mental Health, Telemetry.

No! Do not get sucked into this type of program! It is way over-priced and you will have a student loan payment I'm sure! Plus, the pay is not that great!

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Free LPN school? Uhhhh I think not, not even in 1987 when I went to school lol

I could see that happening if it was a hospital diploma program. You signed a contract, they trained you.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

I seriously feel like these places prey on people, mainly low income students or single parents. Just look at those commercials that are out there.. It's sad and I wish something could be done to stop it

They do. I know a tech in our er that owes a certain for profit college in our area for an unaccredited RN program that he flunked out of. Now, he's on the hook for sky high student loan debt AND he can't get any other student loans because of them. He's enrolled now in a REAL college. On his own, very thin, dime. It's near criminal what these for profit diploma mills do to people.

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If you are not hands-on I do not suggest working as an MA. MA's do basically everything CNAs do and more. Maybe look into medical billing and coding or in patient access in a hospital...

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Specializes in Public Health Nurse.
Worth it or no? The local LPN program is only 12, 000 but hard to get in, and I'd rather avoid all the icky stuff. I want to work in the health field but also as a "receptionist" so I find that being a CMA fits me perfectly.

OK, I did not even read one comment replying to your post, because I am going to jump out of my chair, get through the monitor and tell you NOPE, NO, NO and NO! You got my point?

You can do an RN at a community college for much less than half of that.

Please, consider working; if you must, and go to school part time at night, and save money.

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I would not do that. You could go to your local university and get a bachelor's in health care management and that degree will provide you with much more opportunities, for the same price if not less.

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Specializes in Pediatrics and Women's Health.

Free LPN school? Uhhhh I think not, not even in 1987 when I went to school lol

I lived in NYC at the time. LPN, MA, CNA, and DA programs were all free at the health professions high school I attended at the time in Brooklyn. It lasted for 11th and 12th grade year, all accredited. Through the Board of Ed's Public School system. I graduated high school in 2003. I actually needed to correct that I did the MA program for free at that time (sorry lpn program on the brain).

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Ohh No..Please dont pay that much to become a CMA. I have been a Medical Assistant since 2004 and can tell you that there is no need to pay that much money! The total cost of my 9 month program was less the $8,000 which looking back now was still too much. You can become a medical receptionist without the title of CMA all you have to do is find the right job. I say this because I myself have trained people who have come from Retail or Sales backgrounds to become Medical Receptionist.

$33,000 is a WHOLE LOT OF MONEY

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If you are not hands-on I do not suggest working as an MA. MA's do basically everything CNAs do and more. Maybe look into medical billing and coding or in patient access in a hospital...

No they don't. MA's don't wipe people's hineys and do all the grunge work that a CNA does.

As for the for profit schools most places will not even look at a resume that lists one as your education. I know several people who have attended such schools and never were able to find employment as an MA. Community colleges are more respected and cheaper.

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