LPN versus CMA

NicInNC, CNA · Jun 15, 2005

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.

I've also heard that they're doing away with the LPN program at Forsyth Tech. How true that is, I have no idea. I decided to change to LPN a couple months ago, so I haven't had chance to talk to my advisor. I just hope I can get in by next Fall. If they had a Spring class, then I would be able to get in it (assuming I pass A&P and get a good grade), but they only have Fall admission for the LPN program. I wish advising day would hurry up so I can get some answers.

I didn't know that ECPI had an LPN program.

2bRn-STAT · Jun 15, 2005

Yeah, the one in Raleigh started an Lpn program last year. Durham Tech has one too -with a waiting list of 2 +years. Their Rn program is right at about a 2 year wait. Well-hope you find out soon-Good luck

kelkel · Jun 23, 2005

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:

In no way shape or form is a CMA higher than an LPN. LPN's receive much more intensive education. We are to practically know just as much as an RN in a shorter period of educational time. LPN's ARE nurses, sometimes, especially recruiters tend to forget that.

NicInNC, CNA · Jun 24, 2005

Yeah, the one in Raleigh started an Lpn program last year. Durham Tech has one too -with a waiting list of 2 +years. Their Rn program is right at about a 2 year wait. Well-hope you find out soon-Good luck

Hey again! I had an appointment today with my advisor to pre-register for my classes and she said that they are NOT going to do away with the LPN class. There are so many demands for LPN's in LTC and Private doctor offices that it would be stupid for them to. She said there are so many rumors that have been going around for years and are in no way true.

So, I think I'll be switching to the LPN program. I want to hurry up and become a nurse and get out working!

pixie-dust37 · Jun 24, 2005

I totally regret going to MA school. I spent a year in the CMA program (same length as most LPN programs), and I can only work in clinics and dr. offices. It was a total waste of my time. Hospitals, LTC, or anything else for that matter do not hire CMA's. And none of my credits transfer to any LPN or RN program, so I am starting out from scratch. Being a CMA really limits where you can work.

SOUTHERNINAK · Jul 23, 2007

Here in Alaska our hospital is thinking about putting CMA's in the Urgent care center with the LPN'S and half of the LPN's want to quit because the management team want the pay to be equal.They have put us in the same category. I wouldn't mind if the work were equal but it will not be. Most of us are in the LPN to RN programs and the CMA's have an attitude like they are better than the LPN's. I bet it's because of the recruiters here also.

I worked in a clinic setting where I was the only LPN with all CMA's and I was asked for help all the time for things they did not understand or had no idea how to do/or why they were doing them.

niteshiftlvn07 · Jul 24, 2007

:monkeydance:I applaud any one who get's off their butt to go out and seek education:balloons: I'm happy that some aspects of nursing duties are delegated out to cna's, med aides, CMA'S ,etc... But, as an LVN I'm annoyed when I see job postings that say cma/lvn or cma or lvn only because I KNOW these careers are not interchangable. It's the dr's/management/HR/ that are trying to save a buck that's contributing to the rift between lvn's and cma's.I worked at a public clinic(agency) and the cma's took vitals signs,collected urine/bm/sputum/blood samples(no catheterizations or i.v. draws, no shots). The nurses or phleb. tech drew I.V. blood samples, and the nurses gave immunizations, neb treatments, EKG'S, etc.. A cma working at a private clinic/dr. office may do all of these task because there are no nurses or the nurses may be used in other capacities.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 25, 2007

It is true, the titles are not really interchangable. CMAs may be taught to do the skills, however, the LPN has a more rounded school experience and has more opportunities to work in other places than the doctor's office. I am not saying that CMAs do not contribute to the medical profession. The issue is that they do not have a license, which limits them. I have seen CMAs know more than LPNs, however, it is not having the license that the LPN has that will limit their growth and opportunities to leave that setting.

I guess it is similar to LPNs and RN. The more education, the more opportunities.

SOUTHERNINAK · Jul 25, 2007

What I hate the most is that CMA'S call themselves nurses. I mean if they call someone up they say "hello, this is so and so ,the nurse from doctor so and so's office" It makes my skin crawl. I don't know why it gets to me so bad it just does. I was a CNA for a year and I never called myself a nurse,until I was one. CMA does not stand for nurse... and I know what will happen if they end up in the urgent care,we will end up doing all the nurse duties and they will do the easy work and our company wants to pay them almost the same as we are getting paid. The problem here though is that the management have no medical education and have no idea about the differences between CMA and LPN's. It makes me crazy.

quote=niteshiftlvn07;2315512]:monkeydance:I applaud any one who get's off their butt to go out and seek education:balloons: I'm happy that some aspects of nursing duties are delegated out to cna's, med aides, CMA'S ,etc... But, as an LVN I'm annoyed when I see job postings that say cma/lvn or cma or lvn only because I KNOW these careers are not interchangable. It's the dr's/management/HR/ that are trying to save a buck that's contributing to the rift between lvn's and cma's.I worked at a public clinic(agency) and the cma's took vitals signs,collected urine/bm/sputum/blood samples(no catheterizations or i.v. draws, no shots). The nurses or phleb. tech drew I.V. blood samples, and the nurses gave immunizations, neb treatments, EKG'S, etc.. A cma working at a private clinic/dr. office may do all of these task because there are no nurses or the nurses may be used in other capacities.

BigMack · Jul 25, 2007

Both professions are of great importance, I believe it all boils down to three things.

1. if you want to advance in your career (easier w/ LPN) IMHO

2. pay difference

3. job oppertunities

tmmcbrady, ASN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

I am an LPN and have been one for almost 30 years.

Currently I teach in an MA program. The difference is night & day. MA's are not licensed in my state and therefore do not have a scope of practice.

The education an LPN receives is head & shoulders above that in an MA program. I have worked in clinics side by side with MA's and they are fantastic people and good workers but they do not have a nursing background. They are taught the bare bones basics of how to function in an office setting.

It may look similar on the outside but trust me it's not.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 27, 2007

I am an LPN and have been one for almost 30 years.
Currently I teach in an MA program. The difference is night & day. MA's are not licensed in my state and therefore do not have a scope of practice.
The education an LPN receives is head & shoulders above that in an MA program. I have worked in clinics side by side with MA's and they are fantastic people and good workers but they do not have a nursing background. They are taught the bare bones basics of how to function in an office setting.
It may look similar on the outside but trust me it's not.

It is true, the MA is a bit more skill directed; no nursing process involved. Also, there is no division between med-surg, peds; etc... they learn office skills to function in assisting the physician.

I'm interested to know the cirriculum being taught in your school. How long were you an instructor? I was interested in doing it myself at some point in my nursing career. Great to know that LPNs also can teach.