CNA vs CMA in California, Help! ( Please?) :)

[PollyGhost]

Hello Everyone,

I have been lurking and reading many threads, and I hate to say am now even MORE confused.

I know I am about to post a thread that has a million copies of it, and I apologize in advance!

I live in the Bay Area in California, I only mention this because I have read the words, "depends on your state" in just about every CNA vs CMA thread.

I have signed up for a CNA course, because I am interested in pursuing a career in Nursing. They also have a CMA/Pharmacy Tech class about a month after, that costs a bit more. I don't mind doing the grunt work, but the more I read about the duties of a Medical Assistant, the more attracted I am becoming to it. I love the idea of preparing patients for their doctors, routine testing, vaccines (if they do these), and anything to do with medicine, blood, organs, etc! As rewarding as the CNA sounds, I am becoming SO confused and am now freaking out, because this Friday I will find out if I got into the CNA course ( I attended an over-crowded orientation). So I need to know what I am going to do before then, before I invest my time and $.

Any advice another Californian (or non :) ) that has been through a similar dilemma has to offer? I know there's a lot of factors that play into this, especially who you work for. But I unfortunately don't have a lot of time or money, so I can't do both.. though I wish I could!

Thank you so much in advance, everyone, it's truly appreciated. :redbeathe

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

If by CMA you mean certified medical assistant then I can say in general terms that CNA is hospital or nursing home based while the other is usually office based. NOw CNA's can also be patient care associates which mean depending on the hospital they can do a few more things.

My advice would be not to pay alot for your cna/cma training as there are plenty of cheaper training schools for this.

[caliotter3]

While CMAs generally earn more money, wages closer to that of an LVN, CNAs have an easier time finding work. I've read of many who have graduated from a MA course who could not find work because of a lack of experience. Most of the ads that I've seen for MAs specify that they want those with experience. I would look into adult education programs or job training programs to get your CNA as they will be cheaper in cost. If you decide to go to one of the proprietary schools, then your better choice would be to get an LVN course. Your job opportunities are greater. Again, there are cheaper routes than one of the private/proprietary schools. Good luck.

[DLOAH]

If I were you I would forget both and do the lvn. If your really looking to invest in your future that would be the best. MA and cna makes less than lvn but MA's do about the same work. Also if you worked in a clinic as a lvn you would be doing the same work as a MA but getting paid more. Also if you like the lvn work it would be easier for you school wise to go on and be a rn. I didn't realize money was such a big option but as a cna you could always do regisrty work and that would to bring in extra money and you would be able to make your own schedule.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I was living in California when I completed a MA program in 2000. I was unable to land a decent job as a medical assistant, so I consider the training a waste of my time, effort, and money.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

Take your CMA classes at a JC, it will be very cheap. CNA and CMA are totally different. CMA works in a physician office does vital signs, intake, injections, blood draws, EKG, suture removals, some lab work, assists the physician, ect ect. The CNA works in the hospital and does basic patient care; changes beds, does toilet duty, takes vitals, assists the nurse, ect. In my area CNAs make more than CMAs but the work is like night and day. CNA has more mobility because you can move on to become a nurse where as the CMA boxes you in.