MA to become an RN

[ningrl]

I'm going to start Medical Assisting school on Monday as a path leading to an RN career. I was wondering if anybody here stared out as an MA and is an RN and if you could tell me if it's an ok start and about how long should I wait till I start going to a junior college to become an RN. Also about how long will it take to become an RN?

Thanks;)

[catlady, BSN, RN]

There isn't much about the MA program that's going to help you when you decide to go to RN school, except you will know medical terminology and a little bit of A&P. You'll still have to start at the beginning. RN school takes 2-4 years full time, depending on the type of program you enter. As to when you start, that's strictly up to you. I started years ago with no background in healthcare whatsoever. If you're looking for a way to get into nursing without having to go through an RN program right now, consider becoming an LPN. Most programs are one year in duration, and sometimes you can bridge into an RN program later on.

[ubcnme]

Ningrl, I started out as a MA in 1987 and just completed my RN 2 short years ago; that's how long it took me to go back to school. If I had known it was going to take that long, then I would've just went ahead and gone for the RN back then! You can learn alot as a MA and may even be able to use it to give you some kind of foundation for nursing; however, there are some things lacking like the basic foundations of nursing in the MA programs such as the nursing process, critical thinking skills, and just basic patient care.

I have to agree with catlady to go ahead and obtain your LPN as this would really give you a good nursing foundation and you can always work as an LPN while finishing your RN or even sit out a year and gain some nursing experience before your obtaining your LPN. Try to find out if it's too late to get into a nursing program for the Fall; some community colleges still accept applications until the end of July.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Well I was one too. I started Nursing school in 1962, transferred to university and did 3 years in a BSN program, got married, waited 9 years while I worked as a medical assistant, and finally went back to university!! Only took me 12 years!!! If you want to see what the "inside" of the medical field the med asst. might give you a view, the inside is a LOT different from the public view......I know my doc I worked for is the one who helped me get back to school, plus he was the best boss I ever had!!!!!

Anyway I don't think you can do any HARM taking the MA course...but I would urge you to go ahead and apply to nursing school, either an LPN or RN course now to avoid any delay.