CNA or CMA p/t while studying for CARDIO SONOGRAPHY?

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Hello,

I am having a hard time figuring out if I should work as a CNA (cert. nursing ast.) or as a CMA (cert. medical ast.) on a part time basis while I'm taking pre-reqs and waiting to enter into a CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST program? Once in the program, it is a 2 years, daytime, f/t program. CNA would be nice and quick and I would most likely work at a retirement home for 6mnths-1yr and then would hope to work in a hospital as CNA. I found a quick 6 months school I could also choose and would get money to finish for practically free and would just work in a DR's office hopefully at hospital or if not at a medical office somewhere. I just really wonder if it is worth it to use that grant towards my MA or just save it for when I'm in the cardio tech program? I also wonder if perhaps I would really make the same exact money as a CNA as I would being CMA? (I think CNA, (like my SIL, pays about $10/hr while CMA would pay about $11-12/hr). BUT, here is my real fear!!!! WILL I OR WILL I NOT be able to get a job as an MA here in CHICAGO with no experience?

Note: I am a single Mom with 2 school aged boys and would need to work daytime p/t and could possibly do some Saturdays!

Do any of these two choices even offer benefits?

Any thought or help is more than greatly appreciated!

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i dont know about chicago, but in washington it is virtually impossible to get an evening position as an MA. How many docs do you know are open for business in evenings? (i know a few are, but the majority of MA work is f/t days.) With evening diferential pay, CMA and CNA make about the same anyway. CNA programs are really quick and they can work part time evenings. that is what i am going for anyway!

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Hello,

I am having a hard time figuring out if I should work as a CNA (cert. nursing ast.) or as a CMA (cert. medical ast.) on a part time basis while I'm taking pre-reqs and waiting to enter into a CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST program? Once in the program, it is a 2 years, daytime, f/t program. CNA would be nice and quick and I would most likely work at a retirement home for 6mnths-1yr and then would hope to work in a hospital as CNA. I found a quick 6 months school I could also choose and would get money to finish for practically free and would just work in a DR's office hopefully at hospital or if not at a medical office somewhere. I just really wonder if it is worth it to use that grant towards my MA or just save it for when I'm in the cardio tech program? I also wonder if perhaps I would really make the same exact money as a CNA as I would being CMA? (I think CNA, (like my SIL, pays about $10/hr while CMA would pay about $11-12/hr). BUT, here is my real fear!!!! WILL I OR WILL I NOT be able to get a job as an MA here in CHICAGO with no experience?

Note: I am a single Mom with 2 school aged boys and would need to work daytime p/t and could possibly do some Saturdays!

Do any of these two choices even offer benefits?

Any thought or help is more than greatly appreciated!

I just want to ask which school are you planning to takr ur cardio. Tech program? how much the school charge?

and if you are in the program already, then how is it?

And do you know how much they earn?

sorry for pouring too much question, but Im new to this line.

Thanks and good luck.

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I just want to ask which school are you planning to takr ur cardio. Tech program? how much the school charge?

and if you are in the program already, then how is it?

And do you know how much they earn?

sorry for pouring too much question, but Im new to this line.

Thanks and good luck.

Hi,

I am not actually in the program yet but I am planning on going to Harper College which is a community college. The tuition is 200% more than the regular $98/credit tuition but it is still far less than a private school would charge. It is a two year f/t, daytime program once you are in the actual Cardiovascular Technologist program.

I am now taking the pre-requisites and will need to take the NLN entrance exam. Cardio Techs earn very good money, the average earns $58,000 a year.

Hope that helps and no problem!

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