[kat7ap]

Raise your hand if you are sick and tired of this thread and the "CMAs" who come on here and compare our education and scope of practices....

Yes education is great but just because you have an associates degree doesn't make you more "qualified" than an LPN/LVN. The only places I see that CMAs might be "taking some jobs away" from nurses is in doctors offices and clinics, which is a very small spectrum of where an LPN/LVN can be employed. You rarely see many CMAs in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, hospice, or home health. I'm just tired of comparing the two... Why are the CMAs the only ones who seem to be insistent that the two are "practically the same"?

[softstorms]

agreed Kat, let's move on to something else. New thoughts anyone?

[pagandeva2000]

A CMA with an associate degree would still probably get a hospital position as a CNA or tech. If they are lucky, a unit manager. Sorry, you are not a nurse.

[luvbnMA]

Originally Posted by kat7ap

Raise your hand if you are sick and tired of this thread and the "CMAs" who come on here and compare our education and scope of practices....

Yes education is great but just because you have an associates degree doesn't make you more "qualified" than an LPN/LVN. The only places I see that CMAs might be "taking some jobs away" from nurses is in doctors offices and clinics, which is a very small spectrum of where an LPN/LVN can be employed. You rarely see many CMAs in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, hospice, or home health. I'm just tired of comparing the two... Why are the CMAs the only ones who seem to be insistent that the two are "practically the same"?

N you right the only jobs that are available for LPN are in the nursing homes with the elderly or taking care of them something I would totally rather not do. And why would an MA take an CNA job, I pretty much doubt that..why go to school for 9-24 mon.. and get a job as an CNA that in NO. takes one day to complete be real.. MA states that the LPN job are similar because they are. We are not the one's who made up the curriculum or job descriptions and i don't think just because I do have my ASS. Degree that I'm more qualified I'm just letting you kno that we will never be a CNA if anything they are more closer to LPN. 1 more thing if you ever look on the internet for an MA job it is listed as LPN/MA not CNA/MA so you tell me why we think they are similar. And not to have any misunderstanding I do kno that there are some differences but also more similar factors.

[AnnemRN]

Not true, here is a recent LVN/LPN job listing found locally:

NURSING FT Lead LVN needed to provide patient assessment for a very busy medical center. Responsibilities will include coordination of daily clinical activity for M.A. and other team members, support management in project implementations, facilitate or assist in monthly meetings. Must have current LVN license, Current CPR, at least 2 yrs of Clinical experience. Bilingual Spanish Preferred

As you can see, this is not a job "taking care of the elderly". In fact, it requires a skill set that an MA does not possess. The LVN/LPN would in fact be in charge of the MA's in the office.

[AnnemRN]

Here is another local job listing for an LVN/LPN:

Under the supervision of the Head Nurse, the LVN is responsible for on-site nursing care and administrative tasks related to patient health and education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.
1. Assists medical provider in special patient procedures (i.e. dressing changes, ear irrigation, etc.) as outlined in the Nursing Procedure Manual.
2. Performs certain diagnostic tests phlebotomy upon order of medical provider and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
3. Administers oral and topical medications upon order of medical provider and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
4. Gives IM, SQ, and ID injections upon order of medical provider in accordance with established policies and procedures.
5. Starts IV therapy if IV certified upon order of medical provider in accordance with established policies and procedures (may not administer IV medications).
6. Makes patients referral appointments.
7. Calls requested pharmacy to order prescriptions.
8. Triages walk-in call-in patients requesting Express Care service.
9. Acts as patient advocate by assisting patients with the completion of consent form, monitoring patient scheduling practices, making patient referrals, and interpreting when necessary.
10. Assists Head Nurse in instruction and supervision of nurse's aides and medical assistants.
11. Prepares patients to be seen by medical provider.
12. Oversees drug supply inventories and ordering for exam rooms; monitors expirations dates of drugs supplies, as well as emergency kit supplies.
13. Oversees proper stocking of exam rooms by Nurses' Aides and Medical Assistants.
14. Attend inservice classes courses for update of clinic polices and maintenance of LVN license.
15. Acts as back-up for Head Nurse when absent, in regards to nursing matters.
16. Provides patient education; counseling in subject areas including diabetes and family planning
17. Makes sure medicine cabinet is kept stocked.
18. Makes sure emergency cart is always stocked and signs it off two times a month.
19. Update immunization log periodically, and tally immunizations for final report to Public Health Department.
20. Other duties as appropriate and required.

Please note, number 10 in this ad - where once again - the LVN/LPN is in charge of the MA's in the office. I have never found an ad where the MA is considered the equivalent of a LVN/LPN. I have also never found a job listing looking for an MA who would be in charge of the LVN/LPN.

[HeartsOpenWide]

As a fellow MA I cringe every time I read one of your posts (and yes, I have an associates degree and graduated with high honors, but no one seemed to care and I didn't get paid a penny more when I got my degree...because having a certificate vs. an associates only means you have taken a few extra regular colleges courses, no additional MA courses...).

As a senior in a baccalaureate program I can say that MA work and education, although great for the skills needed, is a cake walk compared to what I have and am learning in nursing school. Every time I read the CEUs for MAs that I get in the mail from a CA association I am reminded of this fact. I am amazed at how simple they are, almost written to the laymen (or so it seems after the information of nursing school). I thought it would be fun to write these on the side and wrote the board, telling them I was a nursing student, I was asked to write CEU articles as well as to write exam questions for the certification exam here in CA. I look forward to it once my summer starts and I have a little free time (taking a summer course and a preceptorship...not one day free at the moment).

And, the reason that the LPNs here are getting mad at being compared to as MAs is the same reason that you are getting mad that people are comparing CMAs to CNAs...which by the way they really are not doing. What they are however trying to tell you is that when a CMA applies and gets a hospital job they are given the title of a tech or CNA...because there are no job positions for CMAs in the hospital per say.

[irish6363]

Please excuse my ignorance but, in my lowly opinion I do consider myself a NURSE as the title indicates LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE. Whether people like it or not...I would also like to add that by resorting to name calling it demonstrates the lack of intellect some people have when debating any topic.

[irish6363]

Please excuse my ignorance again but..... ASS?......degree? Please help me here? I am aware of ADN, AS, AAS, AA.

[txspadequeen921]

You are in need of some re education about the differences of a MA and LVN. There are plenty and I mean plenty... when you say the job is similar you are way off base...
I know this first hand I have done both for many years. If you have not a LVN you cannot argue these facts with me. Until you have been a nurse you will always think that a MA is comparable to being a nurse

* Assessments are not taught in MA school. They involve a lot more than "How are you feeling today?"
* There are no thorough medical surgical courses to back up skills learned in lab

* Pharm courses involve so much more than how and where to stick the needle. You have to know the chemical make up of these drugs sometimes from the floor up in the most common ones. You know it before you give it or you will be dismissed for the day. We give hundred even thousands of drugs before graduation ... not one or two.

* I had to take 4 months of IV therapy then spend 2.5 month clinical in pre- op doing IV's. I understand now that some MA's are doing these now in the Dr office...Just ridiculious.

Of course the above are based on my experince transistioning from MA to nurse and it was a eye opening experience....