LPN versus CMA

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I was thinking at first of going for my Medical Assistant degree, since I want to work in a clinic so badly. I heard so much about how LPN's are getting phased out and only CMA's are getting jobs at clinics, and CMA's are higher up than LPN's. This of course coming from recruters from CMA programs. It would seem that the only difference between CMA's and LPN's are the fact that Med Asst's. get training in lab and x-ray. Well, I already am a certified Phlebotomist, and so I have that going. Any of you guys and gals work alongside Med Assts? Anyone work in clinics? :balloons:

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... :)

0 Votes

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.

0 Votes
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. :angryfire 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.

0 Votes
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. :)

0 Votes
Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

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. :uhoh21:

0 Votes

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

0 Votes
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.

0 Votes
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. :uhoh21:

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).

0 Votes
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. :uhoh21:

BTW, how long was your phlebotomy class? My school doesn't offer it and I don't know of one around here that does. I guess I need to ask my advisor. I'd like to take a phlebotomy course though.

0 Votes

Hey, Im in NC too. Where are you getting your LPN at? Im getting mine at ECPI and then Im going to bridge over to Rn at Durham Technical Comm College. The waiting lists are so long, I had to go this route just to avoid the wait.

0 Votes
Hey, Im in NC too. Where are you getting your LPN at? Im getting mine at ECPI and then Im going to bridge over to Rn at Durham Technical Comm College. The waiting lists are so long, I had to go this route just to avoid the wait.

I go to Forsyth Tech. There are RUMORS that there is a waiting list at Forsyth Tech, but that's all it is...rumors. They go by a point system. The more points you have, the sooner you get in. I've heard people say "I've been waiting for 3 years". Well, they also haven't been taking other related courses that they COULD be taking, or they made C's in their classes, therefore only getting one point for that class. :rolleyes:

I'm going into the LPN program mainly because I want to hurry up and get out of my house at least a few hours a week. After being home for 7 years, I need a break and work would be a welcome break! I love that I CAN stay home, but now that my kids are in school all day, I'm bored stiff. I'm not the type that can just sit around and do nothing. Plus, the extra money will be nice after living paycheck to paycheck.

Also, if I change to the LPN (my current major is listed as RN), I only need A&P. I've already taken all my other pre-reqs!

0 Votes

ok, Im in the same situation you are. Ive got all classes except Micro. But my school actually has a waiting list, no point system. Which I guess makes a fair chance for everyone wanting to enter. It is literally first come first serve. Just no advantage for me which sucks since I have almost all my classes-and good grades.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment