CNA wanting to be a MEDICAL ASSISTANT...will this be better

Prettyladie · Jul 15, 2009

you could easily go to nursing school and get into an accelerated program. 15 months and you'll have another bachelors degree. i think having a bachelors and a CNA is an insult to your degree. seriously, there are other things you could be doing other than being a CNA, i just dont think you're trying hard enough. Not to be rude. And being in the health care doesnt mean you are set for life. I dont know who told you that, but they need to stand corrected. Nurses do work other places other than hospitals, so you need to look. Medical assistants dont make that much money. You can be a LVN and work in the doctors office, and make the same. Go to nursing school. Or, teach hell, because a bachelors degree and working as a CNA is ridiculous. That's just my opinion. The world will always need teachers, you can teach with a bachelors and make more money than a CNA, and I'm sure you might still have your job. The health care field is not something to do because you're afraid of being broke.

Prettyladie · Jul 15, 2009

Oh, and fyi, I'm not trying to be rude. It's just insane that you're wasting all of that education because you feel like the health care industry will give you a stable job. Do you know how many new grads cant find jobs, or how many people have lost their jobs and they were already in the healthcare. From what you're saying you don't even want to be in health care. Please rethink your options, as there are other ways to go to have a good job.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2009

I had a girl in my A&P1 class I just finished who had a degree in Psychology so don't feel bad. If I were you, I'd try to at least get into an LPN or RN program..MA's are very limited in what they can do, and depending on your area, might not be utilized as much as a CNA would be. I know that in my area, there's more MA's than there are MA jobs.And I think that the MA programs here know the market is over-saturated, but yet continue to lure people in!:angryfire But anyways I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do :)

luckygal5571 · Jul 15, 2009

I had a girl in my A&P1 class I just finished who had a degree in Psychology so don't feel bad. If I were you, I'd try to at least get into an LPN or RN program..MA's are very limited in what they can do, and depending on your area, might not be utilized as much as a CNA would be. I know that in my area, there's more MA's than there are MA jobs.And I think that the MA programs here know the market is over-saturated, but yet continue to lure people in!:angryfire But anyways I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do :)

A close friend of mine went to a local technical school for Culinary Arts. It's one of 4 in the area. The promised job placement after graduation. They placed him as a dishwasher at Olive Garden . 1 year and 8k later....he's making Min. wage

I don't trust technical schools any more. I've had many friends that have had bad run in's with them

Misslady113 · Jul 15, 2009

Well, most people on here would tell an aspiring nurse to try CNA to see if it's really what you want. You have already done that and are starting to question if it's for you. What aspect of the job is it that you don't like? Is it the hard labor, or just the general nursing aspect of it.

I think the #1 problem that you may be having is that you wanted to be a nurse to be "set for life". Well that may be the reason why you don't like the job. It takes alot more than going into it for the money to handle the work. It would be terrible to see you go into the field and be one of those nurses who went into it for the cash, and not for the love of helping people. And it takes alot of time, effort, and money to endure nursing school, to realize that you hate the career.

Follow what your gut tells you. Maybe you would like medical assisting better. Not saying the work is better, but the brunt physical labor isn't so much a part of the job. I hope you make the best decision for you, not for your pockets. Research the field's and know the up's and down's of them before you try either one. And there are other fields of heathcare you can get into besides nursing, like physical or respiratory therapy, ultrasound technician, etc. If your heart is telling you that its not right now, it might not be for the future. Always trust your gut. Good luck to you.:heartbeat

And by the way, you are not wasting your time trying to make up your mind. You will be wasting your time and money if you go through 4 years of school again to not like the job and have to switch again. Take your time in making your desicion.

CNAmonica65 · Jul 15, 2009

Here in fl medical asssiting is little under a year for schooling and LPN school is a year. There's a NO brainer there. LPN would be the way to go.

likatutata · Jul 15, 2009

MA school is a huge waste of money. get your LPN. then you can work in a hospital, LTC, or clinic. with an MA you are pretty much stuck to LTC facilities.

CandAmommy · Jul 15, 2009

I'm not going to discourage you from wanting to get you MA. I would just suggest researching the schools closely. They have certificate programs for the under a year and done thing and than a 2 year degree. It isn't true that you are just stuck at LTc with an MA. Here in FL, I have been seeing the jobs everywhere from Pediatric offices, OBGYN, and hospitals. If that is what you want, go for it! I think you would like it better having an 8 hour day in a medical office setting by the sound of your post.

I have an AS I am not using and am a CNA. It's not a waste of a degree when you can't find a job for what you graduated in. After I pay off some of my loans I will get my LPN. Good luck to you!

luckygal5571 · Jul 15, 2009

In Fresno the local Adult school has a Tuition Free program that's only 4 months, not including the Prereqs. I think it's a about 6 months total, plus a few Hundred dollars (If that)

If you live near Fresno, Ca check it out before anything else. It will save you tons of cash

FLg8r · Jul 16, 2009

i'm not sure if you are in florida or not, but if you are ...... florida has a program for those with BA/BS degrees to earn your teaching certificate and teach in your subject area. all you have to do is take a course and your in .... now granted, teaching may not be what you are interested it, but from what i gather here, you are not that happy in nursing. you have to LOVE what you are doing as a nurse or you will only find yourself to be miserable later down the road. if you do like being a CNA, but want more -- i would suggest the accelerated RN program at any university. you have the education, don't waste it. those are the two things i would do if i was in your position.

also, again, not sure if you are interested or not .... but there are several sheriff's offices in florida that will pay your salary and put you through the police academy -- most require at least a 2-year degree, but they LOVE those with degrees in psychology - for obvious reasons.

good luck to you in whatever you decide :yeah:

Natny23 · Jul 16, 2009

I worked in a Dr. office that had MA's running the office and a PA that pretty much did everything the Dr. did but with his own pts. Do you really think that being an MA or a PA would be less work? Maybe it was just the office I was in but the MA's ran like crazy and always worked 10-12 hour shifts. And the PA... lets just say his 2 year old son didn't really know who he was b/c he was never home. I have to agree that the LPN plan sounds better to me than the MA for you. Just my :twocents: