CNA to CMA

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2008

Do you mean like a medication aide? I am not sure about your state but in NJ medication aides are being done away with because it is seen as unsafe, and rather have a licensed personnel pass medication.

If you mean a medical assistant I recommend you contine working as a CNA because in essence you will be doing the same thing. If you would like to extend your skill to match that of a medical assistant try going to an ER or ICU.

Hope this helps.

Tippy-ta-ta · Aug 3, 2008

Yeah a medication aide...here in Ok they use CMA's. i've been a CNA for 15yrs and have gathered a lot of experience and knowlegde over the yrs, I thought maybe doing CMA would help me better when I go to nrsg school.

blondie70 · Aug 6, 2008

If you've been a CNA for 15 years, being a CMA isn't going to get you that much further ahead when you go to nursing school. You already have a significant amount of knowledge. I have been a CNA for 22 years, and a CMA for 12 of those. Here is Maine you need to take a 4 month program to pass medications in LTC. What you would learn in those 4 months, you will get in LPN school. I have 2 semesters left for my RN and the only advantage to being a CMA was I knew more about the medications. Skip the training for CMA and just focus on LPN, you'll be done that much sooner. Plus, if your state is anything like mine, the pay isn't all that different.

Good Luck with your decision!

Tippy-ta-ta · Aug 9, 2008

thanks...

kat7ap · Oct 13, 2008

When I went to LVN school in Texas, I was eligibile to apply for the medication aide certification after I completed the pharmacology courses. Our school actually supplied us with the applications if we wanted them. So it did not require any "extra" training. However by the time you are completed with pharmacology and the application process, your are more than half way done with the program. You would have to check with your state to see if it is the same.

KarmaWiseRaven · Oct 14, 2008

You know here in Missouri a CMA can only work on a RCF. or Home Health. I'm a CNA and a Med Tech. I basicly can do a RCF LTC or Home Heath.And i can do the same as an LPN i can even pass some narcs if its not a sec 1 meaning morphine or something like that. I can even do some treatments as long as it falls in my scope of practice and i'm in a LTC. I'm trying to get in to nursing school in the spring of next year. It's cool to see how many people in so many states can do different things in their scope of practice. It's different here a CMA takes about 2 weeks to go through.A CMT takes about heck mine was a little longer then a month..

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Oct 14, 2008

I do not understand why you would want CMA. First of all CMAs do not work in LTC, the work in doctors offices. Second, if you have 15yrs ex. as a CNA and are going for your LPN you really do not need your CMA...although many LPNs work in doctors offices.

kat7ap · Oct 14, 2008

I do not understand why you would want CMA. First of all CMAs do not work in LTC, the work in doctors offices. Second, if you have 15yrs ex. as a CNA and are going for your LPN you really do not need your CMA...although many LPNs work in doctors offices.

The OP is referring to certified medication aide when she says CMA, not certified medical assistant. Usually a medication aide is one who has CNA certification and has taken extra courses in pharmacology and med administration. Many states including mine (Texas) employ a large number of certified medication aides in LTC. The pay is usually better than CNA and does not involve the backbreaking work of a CNA.

WorkofHeart8 · Oct 14, 2008

Ginza, I am in OKC and taking a CMA class at Moore Norman votech. It is a self-paced class meaning you can finish it anywhere from 2 weeks - 20 weeks. I highly recommend it!