Lvn vs Medical assisting

I am a previous MA. Medical Assisting is not a bad thing, but if I had the option you have I would do LVN. With the LVN you can move up to RN if you want to do that later, there is nothing to move up to with MA; although it did help me get into my BSN program because of the experience. LVN pay us MUCH better than MA and you will get to do a lot more as an LVN. MAs work in doctor's offices while the LVN has the option to work in a doctors office, SNF, or some hospitals (some hospitals do not hire LVNs anymore but many still do). Your education will be more extensive as an LVN too.

You would be doing better for yourself in the long run if you went into the LVN program. Your job opportunities will be greater and you will open up the possibility of an LVN to RN bridge program.

i am a current MA, and just got accepted into LPN program for August. If i had it to do over again, I would have went on for my RN or did LPN first, but at the time, I was newly married and low income, so MA was the fastest choice for me. My MA program was only around 4 months, and LPN is 12 months. So, i did MA first, and now, 7 yrs and 2 kids later, going back for LPN and eventually RN. LPN would be better, but i definitely understand that sometimes, we dont have the time or money to do it all at once. If you don't , then get your MA, then you can make okay money and eventually go for LPN or RN. Just keep your goals and dreams in sight and dont give em up, even if you have to climb that ladder little by little. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!!

I've seen ads for experienced MAs in my area at $12-$14 an hour and ads for LVNs ranging from $15 to $26 an hour, averaging $18 to $20 an hour. You have to take into consideration how many MA jobs are available and how many of the openings require experience.

i live in tennessee, and around my area, MA's can make anywhere from 9.00 -15.00 per hour. And i've heard LPN's in LTC are at least 16 per hour. But, in a dr. office, MA and LPN will usually be making about the same, maybe a little difference.