Cna Vs. Medical Assistant

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What is the difference between a CNA and a Medical Assistant? If I am trying to gain appropriate skills before attending nursing school to become a Nurse Practitioner, what would you recommend I become--CNA or Medical Assistant?

Thanks!

Nursing is in the process of developing itself into a separate and equivalent health care profession. (truthfully, we already are, but many "not nurses" don't get it.) We work independently and with doctors, surgeons and dentists in the diagnoses, Treatment and promotion of the human response to health, and health conditions. I'm sure no offense was intended, but Mr. Webster also considers nursing to be a mother suckling her young. In this forum, MNA's by definition do not practice nursing, they assist MD's. MNA's are trained in the medical model, not the nursing model. It's not "snooty" it's just different.

To be honest, I didn't ask why YOU felt that way I asked why "KAT7AP" felt that way. But since you felt the need to respond.

I disagree, I am sorry but we (MY OFFICE) don't assist our MD's. We do it ourselves. We draw the blood, we start the IV's, we place and remove foley catheters, we do the injections and bladder installations, we do incision and wound care, staple and suture removals. We do the patient care teaching and education. We don't just stand there and had stuff to our doc's. They are busy seeing patients and in surgery. They ONLY thing we have ever assisted our MD's on is the occassional pelvic exam to check for bladder/uterine prolapse and that just because all our docs are males.

Also, I didn't quote Webster's definition of NURSING, I quoted the definition of a NURSE.

If its not "snooty" and just different, then RN's should just treat it as so, give credit where credit (They should treat LPN's better too!) is due and stop being so self-rightous about it.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
To be honest, I didn't ask why YOU felt that way I asked why "KAT7AP" felt that way. But since you felt the need to respond.

I disagree, I am sorry but we (MY OFFICE) don't assist our MD's. We do it ourselves. We draw the blood, we start the IV's, we place and remove foley catheters, we do the injections and bladder installations, we do incision and wound care, staple and suture removals. We do the patient care teaching and education. We don't just stand there and had stuff to our doc's. They are busy seeing patients and in surgery. They ONLY thing we have ever assisted our MD's on is the occassional pelvic exam to check for bladder/uterine prolapse and that just because all our docs are males.

This is why all states need to have a scope of practice for Medical Assistants. California apprently is progressive in this and should be used as a model for other states.http://www.medbd.ca.gov/allied/medical_assistants_questions.html

If its not "snooty" and just different, then RN's should just treat it as so, give credit where credit (They should treat LPN's better too!) is due and stop being so self-rightous about it.

I don't believe this girl was being "snooty" at all. And just because Webster defines "Nurse" a certian way does not mean that is really what a nurse/RN/LPN is....

I really hate the snooty, know it all, RN's who think THEY are the only nurses out there. They treat everyone else like crap including LPN's (licensed practical NURSES).
The majority of RN's are not snooty and do not treat LPN's like crap....and RNs and LVN/LPN ARE

the only nurses out there...from the ANA website...

The intent of protecting the title "nurse" is to protect the public from individuals who are not nurses, yet deceitfully lead the public to believe they are nurses and able to provide certain services that only nurses are qualified to provide.

Twenty four states are known to have statutory protections for the title nurse: AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, KY, MD, MN, MO, NE, NV, NM, NY, NC, ND, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA, WV, WI.

Notice that your state is one of them.
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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

medical assistants must work under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician ...period. i am almost certain you are practicing outside your scope and you may need to re-eval what you are doing before you find yourself in front of a judge....

to be honest, i didn't ask why you felt that way i asked why "kat7ap" felt that way. but since you felt the need to respond.

i disagree, i am sorry but we (my office) don't assist our md's. we do it ourselves. we draw the blood, we start the iv's, we place and remove foley catheters, we do the injections and bladder installations, we do incision and wound care, staple and suture removals. we do the patient care teaching and education. we don't just stand there and had stuff to our doc's. they are busy seeing patients and in surgery. they only thing we have ever assisted our md's on is the occassional pelvic exam to check for bladder/uterine prolapse and that just because all our docs are males.

also, i didn't quote webster's definition of nursing, i quoted the definition of a nurse.

if its not "snooty" and just different, then rn's should just treat it as so, give credit where credit (they should treat lpn's better too!) is due and stop being so self-rightous about it.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

oops.....

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I would really like to know why you feel this way! I really resent that

statement.

As per definition in Webster a NURSE is...." a person who cares for the sick or infirm ; specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health"

As per the definition of Florida law 464.015;

... (9) A person may not practice or advertise as, or assume the title of, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, or advanced registered nurse practitioner or use the abbreviation "R.N.," "L.P.N.," "C.N.S.," "C.R.N.A.," "C.N.M.," or "A.R.N.P." or take any other action that would lead the public to believe that person was certified as such or is performing nursing services pursuant to the exception set forth in s. 464.022(8), unless that person is licensed or certified to practice as such...

While the term 'nurse' in and of itself is not protected, any MA stating in public that they are a nurse would confuse a non medical person and cause them to assume they were licensed to practice nursing. This alone makes calling yourself a nurse a crime.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

Sheesh... Saying CMAs are not in the nursing category is not an insult to you. Nor was I trying to be snotty. I actually not an RN, I am an LPN/LVN. I have never worked with any RNs who belittled me or thought that I was not a nurse. In fact my own mother is an RN BSN and regards me as any other nurse. To clarify, CMAs are assistive staff and have their own category. In most employment seeking areas they are labeled under "allied health" or "nursing support" NOT nursing. Why is that allnurses.com does not have a category for medical assistants? I'm sorry that you took offense to my statement, it was not meant to belittle your profession. I was only trying differentiate the two.

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Specializes in MPCU.
To be honest, I didn't ask why YOU felt that way I asked why "KAT7AP" felt that way. But since you felt the need to respond.

I disagree, I am sorry but we (MY OFFICE) don't assist our MD's. We do it ourselves. We draw the blood, we start the IV's, we place and remove foley catheters, we do the injections and bladder installations, we do incision and wound care, staple and suture removals. We do the patient care teaching and education. We don't just stand there and had stuff to our doc's. They are busy seeing patients and in surgery. They ONLY thing we have ever assisted our MD's on is the occassional pelvic exam to check for bladder/uterine prolapse and that just because all our docs are males.

Also, I didn't quote Webster's definition of NURSING, I quoted the definition of a NURSE.

If its not "snooty" and just different, then RN's should just treat it as so, give credit where credit (They should treat LPN's better too!) is due and stop being so self-rightous about it.

pretty much sums it up. If you want to be a nurse, choose CNA. Otherwise, MA is a fine choice.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
To be honest, I didn't ask why YOU felt that way I asked why "KAT7AP" felt that way. But since you felt the need to respond.

I disagree, I am sorry but we (MY OFFICE) don't assist our MD's. We do it ourselves. We draw the blood, we start the IV's, we place and remove foley catheters, we do the injections and bladder installations, we do incision and wound care, staple and suture removals. We do the patient care teaching and education. We don't just stand there and had stuff to our doc's. They are busy seeing patients and in surgery. They ONLY thing we have ever assisted our MD's on is the occassional pelvic exam to check for bladder/uterine prolapse and that just because all our docs are males.

Also, I didn't quote Webster's definition of NURSING, I quoted the definition of a NURSE.

If its not "snooty" and just different, then RN's should just treat it as so, give credit where credit (They should treat LPN's better too!) is due and stop being so self-rightous about it.

Nobody said you didn't do all those things (which yes are still assisting the physician). Just because you do some "nursing skills" does not make you a nurse or equivalent to one. You still practice under the license of the physician, nurses do not. Medical assistants and nurses are in different categories, enough said....

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Specializes in Home Health.

Wow…ok…I guess I will address the issue and the question that is being discussed on this form.

1. Should you go for your MA or CNA.

I would NOT go for the MA. Your purpose, from my understanding, is to get experience that will apply to your future nursing degree. Speaking from my point of view (MA for 5 years) a CNA would suit you better. You would be able to work at a hospital around RNs and learn more nursing skills. Also, the hospital might have tuition reimbursement or an in house nursing program through a college. I know that some HCA facilities in Texas have their own nursing program through the local community colleges where you can work as a CNA (or any other hospital position) at the hospital and they will pay for your RN 100%. Plus, you can get your CNA quicker and cheaper then a getting your MA. If you go to MA school it’s very expensive and you don’t want 11,000 in student loans before you start nursing school. Trust me they will sucker you in…hence me becoming a MA. I spent 11,000 and 2 years thinking I was get a degree similar to a LVN but to find out I wasn’t. I was p*****!

MA’s are not hired in hospitals but are hired in private practices. Some are hired in urgent care facilities but never in hospitals. Your schedule will conflict with nursing school and none of your credits will transfer.

2. The argument about MA’s being nurses.

First I would like to say that I take great pride in the work that I do. I administer medication via oral, IM, and SC route. I’ve been trained in asthma education, IV administration, and diabetes education. I have tons of skills and knowledge and I can’t wait to finish nursing school in 2010, but I have to agree with everyone else that MA’s are not considered nurses. We are considered allied health staff. Even though I am trained to start IV’s and what not, I refused to do it. Reason one because it is not within my scope of practice and personally I don’t want that to bit me in the butt when I apply for my boards. Second of all MA school was a joke! Everything I learned in MA school I learned in my advanced science classes in high school and college. Actually, the classes where more in-depth and revealed more of the body’s processes then MA A&P. HolliT, I’m sure you’re very talented! I was very talented and learned tons as a MA but I do know the difference. RN classes and the content are completely different and more in depth then MA classes.

With the above stated I would like to ad that MA’s are often disrespected in the medical field. I’ve had many medical professionals disrespect me and then learn later that I am a competent and well trained necessity. I believe MA's get disrespected because there are many out there that claim to be nurses when they don’t know squat and their NOT a nurse. And I also believe there are MA’s out that are not the brightest crayons in the box.

P.S. If MA's are trained to start IV's they are NOT certified...Well...I know in Texas you CAN'T be certified unless you are a LVN.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

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Specializes in Radiation Oncology.

I live and work in Austin, Tx and I have lived in Texas all my life. I was always under the assumption, as alot in here, that CNA's and MA's were called different things depending on the facility. I worked at an HCA facility in San Antonio for 6 years and my official title was a "unit tech" since I could do both CNA and unit clerk duties.

When I moved to Austin, I did a certification program through Texas Oncology to become a radiation therapy assistant. Which pretty much meant that I could operate as a therapist, but just not push that pretty blue button that delivered the radiation treatment without a real therapist supervising me. To make this even more confusing, since I have finally decided on getting my RN, I am listed as a Radiation Medical Assistant III because I work in a cancer clinic and not a hospital.

And yes, here in Texas, at least in Austin, you are considered a CNA after completing at least one semester of nursing clinicals. And Seton and St. David's both offer GAIN prgrams, which stand for Get Ahead in Nursing, which means you can work a few shifts a week and get paid while learning more nursing skills on the hospital unit.

The organization I work for, Texas Oncology, is good in the fact that they do offer tuition reimbursement. The only drawback, is that you have to maintain full time working status to get it. Which, as I am sure many of you know, is not encouraged while in nursing school. But at least they are paying for all my pre-reqs.

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I'm a RMA, also CNA...I work at an area hospital as a Patient Care Tech, we do ADL's as a CNA would do; but I am also able to do EKG's, insert Foley's, Venipunture, wound care, patient teaching, start I.V's (hospital training for that)...ect...Because I had 10 years of CNA and five of RMA, my salary started off 12.50/hr (7-3). Three years later I make 17.92/hr on the 11-7 shift. I enjoy what I do, I respect the nurses; and I certainly know what my scope of practice is versus theirs...when the student nurses come in for their clinical's they have come to me and asked how certain tasks are done...a few student nurses have actually come back to work at the same hospital; and I can say "I knew so and so when." I enjoy what I do, I believe what I do make's a big difference, b/c I am seen by the patient more than the doctors or nurses...and I will not be made to feel insignificant by anyone's title...we all put our pant's on the same way....:twocents::up:

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