C.N.A vs Medical Assistant

caliotter3 · Jan 21, 2010

Your friend would do better to work as a CNA and look for financial aid for nursing school. There are MA schools all over where I am, and these people just do not get jobs. Whenever I see a job listing for medical assistant, I see that they want someone with experience. I would not waste my time or money on it. He could go to school and take the prerequisite and corequisite courses for a nursing degree while working as a CNA. That would be effort well spent.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jan 21, 2010

C.N.A.'s here in Houston, Tx make $10/hr or less. This is frustrating him because he really wants to become a nurse ASAP, but has to wait for a program to open up for the LVN or RN courses. Questions: 1) What is the difference, if any, between a C.N.A. and a Nurse Tech? 2) Does a Medical Assistant really make any more than a C.N.A.? 3) What is the job market like for Medical Assistants? 4) What other considerations should he keep in mind when deciding if he will complete the Medical Assistant program or just work as a C.N.A. while in nursing school once the next class starts? .

I made $9.00/hr here in California after being a CMA for 3 years. CNAs make more than CMAs. 1) Don't know. 2) NO! At least not in my area. 3) It depends on the area. Some places are always looking for medical assistants, others have hardly any jobs. CNA has such a high turn over rate, he would have an easier time finding a CNA job over a CMA job 4) If he is already a CNA I would tell him to stay away from the MA program. As a CNA he will make more money than a CNA, and even if he finds a MA job that pays more it is not going to be justifiable to the time and money he will spend to become a CMA. Also, other than a learning basic pharm, working with medications, giving shots, drawing blood that a CMA can do; CNA duties are more related to nursing duties and will be more helpful for when he gets into nursing school.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2010

Questions: 1) What is the difference, if any, between a C.N.A. and a Nurse Tech?

I think its just a different name, but same duties.

2) Does a Medical Assistant really make any more than a C.N.A.?

I guess it really depends on what area you live in. I live in the DC Metro area, and I think the MA's probably make a couple dollars more than me, but it doesn't justify IMO what they paid for the program. There are a dozen programs here that are basically diploma mills..they cost $12,000+ & then when they get out of school, either they cannot find a job or they only make like $12/hr

3) What is the job market like for Medical Assistants?

Again, it depends on your area. Here there are more MA's than there are jobs. When I got my first job as a CNA a few ppl at my job told me that they completed the CMA program and haven't been able to find a job b/c the ads ask for 1-2 yrs experience as a minimum.

4) What other considerations should he keep in mind when deciding if he will complete the Medical Assistant program or just work as a C.N.A. while in nursing school once the next class starts?

I would just work as a CNA, the MA programs are very pricey & not worth it in the long run..

eveningsky339, LPN · Jan 22, 2010

Frankly I haven't heard anything good about MA programs, from this site and from a few of my CNA classmates, who left MA programs to become CNA's.

Generally, job opportunities for MA's are fewer and the pay is not much more than that of a CNA, all for a good deal more debt. And, in my area at least, most places which one would expect to hire MA's also hire CNA's and train them to fill the role.

Miwila · Jan 23, 2010

If he really wants to go for the MA, tell him to check out his Community College before going into debt 13k. There are websites out there where you have MA's...lots and lots of MA's, talking about how they can't get a job and they're stuck with all of this debt from their training. At least if he goes to a CC he'll get a better deal. In my area an MA with no experience makes as much as a CNA so spending that kind of money on an MA program makes sense only if for whatever reasons your friend decides he would rather be trained at this 13k diploma mill instead of at a community college.

kat7ap · Jan 23, 2010

If your friend's end goal is to be a nurse then I'd advise him to skip the MA program. I live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and MAs start around $10-13/hr and most employers advertise at least 1 year experience needed. It's not worth him going into $13,000 in debt when he can spend less than $1,000 to become a CNA and make about the same. Also have him consider that most MAs are hired to work in medical offices which do not have flexible hours for him to attend nursing school. If he was a CNA he can work on weekends, evenings, and nights and days he's not in school to accomodate his schedule. If he can get hired at a hospital as a CNA, he could probably get tuition reimbursement and even a job when he graduates. It sounds like the school he is planning on attending is just trying to make more money off of him. Many times those types of schools do not have student's best interest in mind and even lie to them to make a buck. Medical Assisting programs are often pushed upon people for this very reason.

newleaf2012 · Jan 24, 2010

in cali most MA's have to speak fluent spanish

so if he cant speak spanish the program isnt worth it

RN2BKS · Jan 25, 2010

I am an LVN in Texas, but I have a friend that has completed his C.N.A. certification and is now working on his Registered Medical Assistant license because he found that the C.N.A.'s here in Houston, Tx make $10/hr or less. This is frustrating him because he really wants to become a nurse ASAP, but has to wait for a program to open up for the LVN or RN courses. Questions: 1) What is the difference, if any, between a C.N.A. and a Nurse Tech? 2) Does a Medical Assistant really make any more than a C.N.A.? 3) What is the job market like for Medical Assistants? 4) What other considerations should he keep in mind when deciding if he will complete the Medical Assistant program or just work as a C.N.A. while in nursing school once the next class starts? I would appreciate any and all input/opinions, but would really like to hear from people in or near Houston, Texas. Being a new transplant to Texas, I don't feel I know enough to advise my friend, but I am of the mindset that he is wasting his time attending the Medical Assistant program at a cost of $13,000. (He finishes in Aug and then starts nursing school in September of this year). Even he is starting to think that his school just pushed him into the Medical Assistant program as a way for THEM to make money. Also, keep in mind, my friend has to be able to pay his bills and support himself in the meanwhile until he gets his nursing license.
Thanks everyone. Let me know if you need more info to better answer my questions.

If your friend wants to be a nurse in the future they need to be a CNA and work in a hospital setting to get the experience. I got tricked into going to a MA program and them telling me that it would be just like im a LPN but a different name and if I wanted to be a RN some of the credits would transfer. NOT!! It's so different from a LPN and MA's are ment to work in a clinic setting so they can be used for the front desk and the back to assist docs for CHEAP pay. I am a CNA and I make a dollar less then MA's that are in my state. I got half way through the program and realized that its a waste and its not what I want at all. CNA's work so close to RN's and Docs and learn so much! I really think that if you are a CNA first before a RN you are going to be in such a better place and feel confident and know a little bit more because of experience. Hope this helps!

sven mulick · Jan 30, 2010

Whichever he decides it will be great to have another man in the nursing field.

Hoosier69 · May 1, 2010

If your friend's end goal is to be a nurse then I'd advise him to skip the MA program
AND
Many times those types of schools do not have student's best interest in mind and even lie to them to make a buck. Medical Assisting programs are often pushed upon people for this very reason.

Looks like I've learned my lesson the hard way. LOL I am currently enrolled in a 9-month accelerated MA program in Ohio and am getting the 'dirty end of the stick.' I have decided to seek the counsel of an attorney re: my situation.

My program's price tag is over $14,000. I got a Pell Grant, which decreased it to $7 to 8, but still feel that it's too much. I have aspirations of pursuing a BSN in Nursing and am going for it.

If anyone is contemplating becoming an MA but doesn't have a desire to pursue a career in nursing, I would recommend checking out a community college instead of the other route.

Best of luck in everyone's career choices!

Hoosier

red2003xlt, LPN · May 4, 2010

Hello from Florida,

In Florida, the LPN, MA, and CNA can be taught in the vocational/technical schools.

Pell Grants for LPN and MA none for CNA. I'm applying for the LPN; if I get wait-listed I'm thinking MA instead of CNA. This of course depends on getting a Pell Grant.

I think the total tuition for the LPN is $5 inclusive. Hope this helps.