[Andi33]

Originally Posted by txspadequeen921

I am in no way confusing the two professions , I am speaking of Medical Assistants and I made no reference to any one working in a hospital setting.

Please see my edited post...

[txspadequeen921]

Ok, I'll go for that!!!

Originally Posted by Andi33

Please see my edited post...

[Andi33]

Originally Posted by txspadequeen921

Ok, I'll go for that!!!

Sorry, I had to re-word that! I didn't mean to offend you, and I was confusing your post with some above. I know that CMA's don't have a very good rep (some of the schools are scary!), but there are some good ones out there, especially those in the associates degree program. I'm actually supposed to start the LPN program in the fall, but am having second thoughts simply because I want to work in a clinic instead of a hospital, and already have clinic experience. CMA and LPN are very different jobs with totally different training. It all depends on where you want to work...

[pickledpepperRN]

I was mistaken. In some states there are Certified Medication Aides with various amounts of training. They usually work in residential care centers or skilled nursing centers. Some even do blood glucose monitoring and give insulin injections.
There is no such program in California.

Many Medical Assistants (MA) are expert in all aspects of working in their particular doctors office or out patient clinic. I really appreciate the young woman who works with my doctor.

I was the one mixed up.
I'm sorry.

[porridge]

Originally Posted by Rn-STAT

It is a good thing that we have this website, becuz recruiters will tell people any type of BSHHHHHHHHHHHHH I cant believe that they told her that. You also need to be more informed of the line of work you desire to go into. You have got to at least know the diff between a nurse and a cma. Know that much prior to walking in the door-as they will screw your career and waste your time and money. That was about as bad as them telling you that a CNA is higher than an LPN.

Couldn't agree more. Never heard such nonsense. LPNs are nurses. They can work hospital, nursing home, and clinics if they choose. Their education is far lengthier and more in depth than that of a CMA. Given a choice, I'd always opt for becoming a nurse over a clinic worker.

[Andi33]

Originally Posted by porridge

Couldn't agree more. Never heard such nonsense. LPNs are nurses. They can work hospital, nursing home, and clinics if they choose. Their education is far lengthier and more in depth than that of a CMA. Given a choice, I'd always opt for becoming a nurse over a clinic worker.

I think you may want to do some research on this topic and find out what CMA's do. Do you know what they do? I'm sure if you do a search of this website, you might become better informed.

[Strandysmommy]

Oh no, see I know what they do. I've asked around and such, and I hear that in a clinical setting they'll take CMA's or LPN's. I was just wondering if I wanted to work in a clinic, if I were up against a CMA, as an LPN I wonder if I'd get the job?

I am not going for my CMA though, mind you. I am starting the LPN program at St. Paul Tech in the fall. I don't, however, have any desire to work in a nursing home or LTC. I know it seems that it's a touchy subject when it comes to that, but I know I work better with kids. I really would like to work in a clinc, and I figure that since I have a degree in phlebotomy that would help me a little. I could also take a continuing ed. class in x-ray, if I had the money! No, I was just wanting to get an opinion from the LPN side of things. (Since I have already heard about CMA's up the wazoo. And, as a matter of fact, I had this woman who was recruting tell me that CMA's can write prescriptions.) I'll give her the benifit of the doubt and assume she was talking about Physicians Assistants.

[CashewLPN]

hey guys... Mod Calling...

Lets not turn this into a 'who's better' debate...if it goes that way, i will close this thread to let it chill a bit before re-opening it.

Both jobs are important. They are different... Difference makes the world go round.

Ok, I've included my two dimes and a nickle...
I'll be around, any questions/comments/concerns, please feel free to drop a PM.
--Cashew

[NicInNC]

Originally Posted by porridge

Couldn't agree more. Never heard such nonsense. LPNs are nurses. They can work hospital, nursing home, and clinics if they choose. Their education is far lengthier and more in depth than that of a CMA. Given a choice, I'd always opt for becoming a nurse over a clinic worker.

Here in NC, the CMA program is the same number of credit hours as the ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSE (RN). It's a 2 year program. The LPN program is only one year. I debated between CMA, LPN and RN. I'm still very confused, but right now, my goal is to fulfill my desire to get out and help people ASAP, so I'm going for the LPN program. Then I plan on going back to the RN program. Looking at my college catalog, it looks like the CMA program has more "office" type studies. Text entry, Admin Office Proc, etc. It also has a lot of "clinical" classes (clinical perspectives, Exam Room procedures, etc).

The RN program focuses more on Pharmacology, and the actual "NURSING" part of the job.


Both ADN and CMA are 2 year programs here though.

[NicInNC]

Originally Posted by Strandysmommy

Oh no, see I know what they do. I've asked around and such, and I hear that in a clinical setting they'll take CMA's or LPN's. I was just wondering if I wanted to work in a clinic, if I were up against a CMA, as an LPN I wonder if I'd get the job?

I am not going for my CMA though, mind you. I am starting the LPN program at St. Paul Tech in the fall. I don't, however, have any desire to work in a nursing home or LTC. I know it seems that it's a touchy subject when it comes to that, but I know I work better with kids. I really would like to work in a clinc, and I figure that since I have a degree in phlebotomy that would help me a little. I could also take a continuing ed. class in x-ray, if I had the money! No, I was just wanting to get an opinion from the LPN side of things. (Since I have already heard about CMA's up the wazoo. And, as a matter of fact, I had this woman who was recruting tell me that CMA's can write prescriptions.) I'll give her the benifit of the doubt and assume she was talking about Physicians Assistants.

Have you looked at the job openings in your area? Most hospital websites have a "job" area where you can see the current openings. I've been looking in our paper and online and there are a TON of jobs for LPN's here in North Carolina. Hospitals, LTC, and expecially doctor offices. I see a TON of openings for doctor offices. There are also a lot of openings for CMA's, but I'm going the LPN route (mainly because I plan on going for my RN one day).