Any LPN/LVN's that was MA's First.

[mydee]

Hello,

Here is my story. I have been wanting to do the LPN program first however, I can not affored to this this option first because of money. The MA program at my school is only a 1/4 of the cost. The problem is that my husband who is a RN makes way too much money so I am unable to get much help with loans, grants ect... Also getting into the LPN program at the local community college is so very hard with a ton of students hard to get in. So, I start the MA program at the end of Aug. and willl be done in April. I am hoping that I could find a tjob that will help me pay for the LPN program. My question is that do you feel that you had an advantage being a MA first before going to LPN school? What are your thoughts?

[rnlately]

I'm not/wasn't an MA but I know a few nurses that were and in my opinion there is a slight advantage just as being a CNA or having any type of medical background before becoming a nurse. I believe that a nurse that was an MA previously will have more comfort when performing the hands on skills such as injections, venipuncture, and vital signs. So yes, I think every little bit of experience helps

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I completed a MA program ten years ago and was never able to find a job. Basically, the $4,000+ that I spent in tuition went down the drain, so becoming a MA was a waste of time, money, and effort for me.

MAs and MDs fall under the medical model of care provision, whereas CNAs, LPNs, and RNs fall under the nursing model of care provision. If you are not a CNA or PCT, I suggest that you take this route instead. In addition, most MAs work daytime banker's hours (Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm), so these work hours would conflict with attending most daytime nursing programs.

[rayshetta]

Was a MA before becoming a LPN,I totally agree with the comment from the COMMUTER. I work for a company who doesn't not recognize MA.They only recognize CNA,LPN,RN.

[Lorrie34]

I was an MA for 14 years before getting my LPN. In my opinion, having that experience absolutely helped me get through the LPN program.

I had very strong skills in injections, vital signs, venipuncture, medical terminology, charting, and most importantly, pharm!

I saw many of my classmates in LPN fail out or sturggle with pharm when I excelled right through it, already knowing most of the meds and the usual dosages, side effects, common uses, and dosages.

The only draw-back I could see was those that had the CNA experience were far more skilled with the direct patient care (ie: transfers, bathing, body mechanics...).

Being a Medical Assistant also helps you learn how to deal with doctors. As an MA you work in the office, right along with the doctor, assisting with exams and following their direct orders. Sometimes doctors are a challenge to work with : )

The bottom line is, any medical experience will help you further your medical career.

Good luck to you in whatever path you follow :)

[katrenia04]

Work as a CNA, Seriously, Im almost done with LPN school, and being a CNA has helped with everything, the entire 1st term waqs mostly CNA work, clinicals, everything. I actually was paid to become a CNA through a nursing home, which if you look around you might find, or I dont believe its very expensive to do, and you can be reimburssed once hired to a nursing home. I made $15.50/hr as a CNA, but thats after 6 years, and lots of different expereince and training, but new out i was at 12.00/hr, and actually worked with MAs that said they worked as CNAs because they made more $$ as a CNA vs MA. Im in school with some MAs, and yes they are better/confident when it came to shots, venipunctures, etc when we did IV certification. But I learned phelbotomy as a PCA. Hope that helps!

[Angel,LVNStudent]

I am a medical assistant. I been one for 5 years, and now I am going to school to become a LVN. I am excited, and I feel very confident wit this medical experience. I agree that CNA's are going to be more comfortable with one on one care. Medical Assistance have alot of experience as well. Any medical experience helps

[caliotter3]

The problem here is whether or not one can get a job as an MA. In my area the few listings that appear for MAs require experience. It would be easier and more beneficial in terms of job duties and job availability, to become a CNA before LPN school.

[tiredstudentmom]

I'm doing the same thing (just getting some other coursework done and waiting to hear back on which school I will get to attend) and I feel that it will benefit me greatly when it comes to the skills we will be learning. Glad to know that I'm not the only one out there going for nursing after being an MA!

[boohill]

I will be graduating in Dec. 2010 with a degree for medical assisting. I have already applied to 6 nursing schools for January. I am so excited to start. I hope some of my medical assistant training will help with nursing. I start my externship and my last 3 classes in another week.