lpn vs medical assitant

iliel · Dec 19, 2003

originally posted by ms.gee
what is the difference between lpn's and medical assitant ? i am having a hard time finding a lpn program becuse of long waiting lists or the progrm is on hold becuse they might be removing the practical nursing program. if so there will be only one lpn program in memphis at tennessee tech.but i am finding all kinds of medical assitant programs.are the medical assitants replacing lpn's

lpn's are nurses, medical assistants are not. ma's jobs are ltd in what they can do. lpn's, since they are nurses they can work and go onto to a rn completion program at a cc while they work, etc. ma's are not replacing lpn's, maybe in a dr's office they are, but not in a hospital. ma's can't give out meds and everything they do has to be supervised by a dr.

go for the lpn.

tdg_rn · Dec 19, 2003

Ms. Gee,

I don't think they are phasing away the LPN programs here (I'm right up the interstate from you). Tech seems to be sewing up the market around these parts for some reason. Unfortunately, if you want to go the LPN route (which would be a lot better than MA) you just have to work with their waiting list.

Terence

memphispanda, RN · Dec 19, 2003

http://www.northwestms.edu/ (NWCC) has an LPN program. Depending on where you are located they may be doable.

http://www.bchs.edu/pn.asp Baptist also has an LPN program but I am totally unfamiliar with it.

I know Methodist no longer has an LPN program--the offices are gone and the staff gone as well. The final class graduated in August.