Being an MA or Not? Need advice.

[seek1kees]

Hello. I am a Male Pre-nursing student. I just need to take microbiology during the summer and then im done w/ the pre-reqs . I am currently in an MA program but have the option to quit since i havent paid (cost is $1,400 compared to other programs this very cheap). With that said if i continue with the MA course then i could only work at nights, part time and will need fleixibilty since school schedule will change. I know it really difficult to find a job. Should I continue? Is there a lot of opportunities for MA's in CA (specifically LA and SFV) Any body here who was an MA have any advice? I dont continue this course I weant to take a CNA course to work get some health experience...

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Completing the MA program was one of the bigger mistakes I've made to date.

I could not find a job upon completion of the MA program, because most doctors offices and clinics place higher value on experience. I, too, lived in Southern CA at the time I did the MA program. Since so many people are becoming MAs, the job market is flooded with them, which keeps the pay rates very low.

In addition, it is difficult to find an MA job for evenings and weekends, since most doctors offices and clinics are in operation during the day.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Wow, I was a medical assistant and the doc, his PA and the nurses trained me. It didn't cost me anything and I was paid.

That is a lot of money.

steph

[Mama2008]

I got a MA job after my first year of nursing school with no previous experience. I love my job! It helped me become more comfortable interacting with patients in the clinical setting. I live in N. Cal so I don't know about jobs down there. I make more money than CNA's.