My PN school also has a medical assistant program. The school has the Johnson & Johnson become a nurse posters. Well on some of the posters they covered up the nurse part and put medical assistant. So the top of the poster says Become A Medical Assistant while the picture is of a nurse and the bottom of the poster still says www.discovernursing.com.
For some reason that just really rubs me the wrong way. :angryfire
I don't have a problem with MAs ... they have their place in the healthcare system, but they are not nurses and I think that the poster gives the wrong impression.
Interesting topic. I just assumed that the women wearing scrubs, looking like Nurses and performing Nursing like tasks at my doc's office and my children's pediatricians office were in fact "Nurses". Since starting school - just out of curiosity I always ask them what school they went to (hoping to get any helpful advice on surviving Nursing School, etc.). I was very surprised that about 90% of them are MA's. About 10 years ago, my OB-GYN's very large practice used to be only staffed with RN's - they have since replaced all but a couple of RN's with the MA's. I'm guessing it's all about saving money.
In my area - like MA's, the LPN's don't make a very large salary either (when you compare it to that of an RN). The LPN Program at my school is very intensive and those students have many of the same courses that those of us in the RN Program do. It's only a 1 year difference in school - yet the difference in salary at some hospitals is staggering. An RN with that 1 extra year in school is pretty much guaranteed to start out making twice as much as an LPN and it just goes up from there based on shift diffs., experience, area of Nursing you go into, etc.
There are so many LPN's that graduated and are now coming back trying to get into the RN Program. They all said that they found in the workplace that having their RN License would give them so many more opportunities for different types of Nursing.
Technically it is NOT only a 1 year difference in school. Factor in the pre-reqs that it takes to get to that one year, and it might take some 2 more years.
Technically it is NOT only a 1 year difference in school. Factor in the pre-reqs that it takes to get to that one year, and it might take some 2 more years.
Here in my city in the wonderful state of Texas...........you do not need any pre-reqs for the LVN/LPN program. But for the RN(ADN/Diploma) program you need a full 1yr(including summers) of pre-reqs. For the BSN you need 2 full yrs of pre-reqs. Add that to the extra year of nursing school and you have anywhere from 2-3 more years of school that an RN has over an LVN/LPN.
In my area - like MA's, the LPN's don't make a very large salary either (when you compare it to that of an RN). The LPN Program at my school is very intensive and those students have many of the same courses that those of us in the RN Program do. It's only a 1 year difference in school - yet the difference in salary at some hospitals is staggering. An RN with that 1 extra year in school is pretty much guaranteed to start out making twice as much as an LPN and it just goes up from there based on shift diffs., experience, area of Nursing you go into, etc.
An RN's yearly salary is double and somtimes triple to that of an LVN/LPN not because of 1yr difference of school but rather anywhere from 2-3 more years......(read my post above).
I am in south east Texas and the colleges that offer LVN certification in our part of the state DO require pre-reqs. Engligh I & II, a History, a Government, A & P I, 2 free Electives, Psyc I, Pharm, Nutrition, Nursing Law & Ethics, Doseage & Calu. ( in which you have to pass 4 exams with a 100). I also assumed that all employees dressed in scrubs at doctors offices were "nurses" and yes, I now ask them. Not that it matters to me who is taking my vitals at the doctors office, however, I do not think anyone should try to pass themselves off as something they are not , not to mention it is illegal. I believe that there is a need for MS's in the health care industry and they provide a needed service. But as I am proud that I am a LVN and not embarassed to wear my name tag that states that, I do not try to pass myself off as an RN, and correct anyone who gets that impression. SO should the MA's. All of us that provide medical care: (CNA's, CMA's, MA's, LVN's, RN's) who go through different levels of education, some of us more that others, should be proud of our different levels of care that we provide and realize that it takes ALL OF US. Anyway the public has the right to know who is providing care to them from the "lowest" level to the "highest". So wear a name tag with your title at the end, then there should not be any confusion.
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
This is true....
Technically it is NOT only a 1 year difference in school. Factor in the pre-reqs that it takes to get to that one year, and it might take some 2 more years.
I just want to add my thoughts on this post. As I am reading this I feel that Certified Medical Assistants are being looked down upon by some people. I have been a Certified Medical Assistant for almost 13 years and have thoroughly enjoyed everything about my job.:) I have worked in several different medical offices and for the most part have always felt respected by the MD's, LPN's and other coworkers. I went to a technical college for 2 semesters full time to become a Medical Assistant and received my Certification 1 month later. In school we are trained in EKG's, injections, vital signs, phlebotomy, lab duties, some reception duties and many other clinical duties. I have recertified by continuing education twice in the last 12 1/2 years. Recertification is done by completing 60 credits of continuing education in 5 years. I perform the same duties as the LPN's in the office where I work, even though we are paid less. I have a name tag that clearly states that I am a Certified Medical Assistant and not an LPN. All different positions have their place in the health care setting (M.D.'s, P.A.'s, R.N.'s, L.P.N.'s, C.M.A.'s, C.N.A's, receptionists, transcriptionists and even the cleaning person) and medical offices cannot function with all the different positions working together. I respect everyone's different position in the office, because without each of them the office would not function. I am not ripping on anyone, but after reading these posts I felt that I wanted to give my opinion on the situation. Hope I don't upset anyone and I know the OP said they were not trying to cut down M.A.'s. I hope this helps some people understand that there is a place for everyone.:) By the way, I am currently planning to enter the Associate Degree Nursing program next fall and wish everyone luck in their schooling and new careers as an RN.
I have nothing against medical assistants. I have something against medical assistants who think they are nurses. i do not like medical assistants who let people think they are nurses-that's misleading.
they have their place, just as RN's have their place, LPN"s have their place, etc. but each one is what they are and thats all that they are and shouldn't be called more than that. i am only a student nurse and i dont let people think i am a RN. because i am not yet. i am what i am, and nothing more.
but to stress, i think MA"s are great, and are valuable. nothing against them
I have nothing against medical assistants. I have something against medical assistants who think they are nurses. i do not like medical assistants who let people think they are nurses-that's misleading.
I am in south east Texas and the colleges that offer LVN certification in our part of the state DO require pre-reqs. Engligh I & II, a History, a Government, A & P I, 2 free Electives, Psyc I, Pharm, Nutrition, Nursing Law & Ethics, Doseage & Calu. ( in which you have to pass 4 exams with a 100).
What LVN program is this....??? Why would you need 2 English, History, Governmtent, and 2 free Electives. I have never heard of a LVN/LPN program that required these core classes just for an LVN certification, these pre-req's are usually for degree plans.
Yeah I'm wondering that too, that seems like a whole heck of a lot of prereqs for an LVN school. If you need all those prereqs, why not just go with RN school? Seems like they would have a hard time finding people to go to school there.
cjkes78
31 Posts
I just want to clarify that I didn't start this thread to flame or put MAs down.
I am just concerned about the fact that the school is giving the wrong impression to the students by what they did to the nurse poster.
I also wanted to make sure that I wasn't over-reacting.