C MA to RN but ..

[Hunnybee79]

I have been going to college to knock out pre-reqs for nursing. I have been a C MA for 15 years, taught medical residents to suture during procedures, highly qualified. Yet because of hurricane Harvey and needing to move due to house damage, I am having to transfer colleges too. This is where I am getting confused. The incoming college tells me I need to be a CNA, prior to being accepted to the program. 1)Pay wise that is a downgrade. 2) it is less responsibility than the work i do now or ever have done. I ask why when I can safe move patients, draw blood, bath a patient, perform vitals including orthastatics. And my certification is up to date every year. Why is it not accepted. She did not have a answer. But that C MA was not accepted. Has anyone hit this issue? I have had the tital patient care assistant II, C MA. NCMA. So long that it seems almost discriminate.

[egglady, LPN]

A Certified Medical assistant? And you taught medical residents how to suture? Maybe the medical initials mean something different here, but a medical resident is a soon to be MD, and a CMA is a certified medical assistant. Can you clarify? Thanks.

[Hunnybee79]

Sure no problem , I will clarify. So for four years at the teaching hospital I been working at. The residence who have all their book skills down, then have to learn specialty. In procedures like biopsy's and decisions I have to teach techniques in how to close and close flushed, help them understand what happens if they twist to the knot the wrong direction and how to cench the line so the the wound can t easily gap open or pop open depending on how the cut sits on the body. This also includes using a bovie or cautery with hemostats to stop some bleedings. I have the letters of recommendation to prove all this. And one thing I have learned in my years as a certified medical assistant is that most Dr s learn from the RNs and medical assistants when it comes to many technical issues. One thing I know is stressed to all the residents from the primary professor doctors is this"pay attention and listen to the medical assistants. Every facility has different needs and requirements intrusted to all levels of staff. I had to train the RN for my doctor after the previous RN took a management position. Because I was the only one that knew how to fill the orders, and tests and flow charts and all the special therapies that my Dr used for her patients. I maybe one of a few thousand CMA s that can do this kind of work, but ii want the pay to match, and I'm hitting road blocks because they want me to get a CNA cert. When I have done the bed pans, sure lift, safe roll, gatebelts, duoderm patches, 4oz fluid intake, 5am lab draws for the 730am rounds, and picc line flush and draws.

[nkkshvnne]

Are they requiring you to work as a CNA or just take the class and test? In my area most nursing schools require you to be on the CNA registry before applying. They do not require that you work as a CNA. Also, you taking the class would probably be a good thing. CNA work is totally different than CMA work.

Not sure what state you're in. But many states allow you to challenge the exam. So you wouldn't need to take the class. Of course you'd have to research for your area.

[Julius Seizure]

I agree with the above - they may just want to see the certification course and not care about the actual job title that you do.

What area have you worked in during your time as a CMA? It sounds like an OR setting, some kind of ambulatory surgery?

Alternative would be looking for a different school that doesn't require the CNA cert. It may just be a hoop that you have to jump through to go to this particular school, though.

[Orion81RN]

It sucks, but I'd suck it up and do a cheap, quick 8-12 week CNA program at a community college. It may differ school to school, but the nursing programs around me only require the CNA certificate, not CNA experience. Get the certificate and keep working as a C MA.

Its a set back, but worth it.

[verene, MSN]

Do they require you to have worked as a CNA or just hold the certificate? If it is the latter many states make it very easy for CMAs to receive CNA certification. I think in my state it is a 1 day "CMA to CNA bridge" class and sitting the CNA exam.