Decided to go Medical Assistant and discouraged

tfleuter, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

Sorry, I'm a little confused by your post. Are you discouraged about obtaining a nursing degree and have decided to purse medical assisting instead? Or are you already a medical assistant and discouraged by the low pay?

coffee4metech · May 19, 2009

I am a nurse assistant / caregiver , and decided to go into Medical Assisting to get myself a decent paying job. I was going for my nursing degree but have decided to not proceed with it any further.The reason is because my husband is putting major pressure on me to get a respectable paying job. And if I go into my nursing degree it will take at least 4 years to complete , and honestly I just don't have time .

dream'n, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

You do realize that medical assisting isn't going to bring in the 'big bucks' as you said. So while I do understand where you are coming from about having to work more for the family, be careful about giving up your goals totally. It is very hard to go back to school once you have stopped (I am the poster child for this). Four years seems like a long time, but it's going to pass anyway. So you will be looking back four years from now the only question is will it be with or without a degree.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

Around here, CNAs and MOAs make the same amount.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

In my area, from what I can tell, Medical assistants make about the same amount as CNAs. Have you looked into any lpn/lvn programs? Won't take nearly as long, better pay and you can continue to pursue your RN while working at a better pay.

icyounurse, BSN, RN · May 19, 2009

Around here, CNAs and MOAs make the same amount.

Same here. In fact, CNA's make a little bit more even if they work in hospitals in my area and not a nursing home.

allnurses Guide · May 19, 2009

Hope you've thoroughly researched the LVN (LPN) option. Things are tough now, but it will change. I think that would be a better springboard should you be able to focus your time and money on your nursing dream some time in the future.

Best wishes to you whatever you choose!:)

hescmd · May 19, 2009

Dear Mrs Nurse assistant, dont be descouraged, take it as a learning exp. I'll sugest to get a job as a CMA or even better as a phlebotomist, the phlebotomist often times work early morning, menaing they get off work early, so you'll have time to go first for your LPN (LVN), you still in age to do that, My girlfriend was a CNA and went to school for LPN, and finished, so you can do it, let me mention that at the time she was a single mother of 3 girls, I'm not saying that will be easy but it's worth it. KEEP IT UP

soulofme · May 19, 2009

Why isn't he out making the big $$$ so you can be with your child?

Lovely_RN, MSN · May 19, 2009

Maybe you can do the LPN first and then bridge to RN later? I don't know about CA but in my state it takes 2 years to get the AA in medical assisting (which allows you to become certified) and anywhere from 11-18 months to do an LPN program. I'm not knocking it but most MA's are limited to working in a docs office or clinics and you can't bridge to anything else later on. If you become an LPN then you can bridge to RN and then who knows maybe even move on to APN some years down the road. Where can you go from being an MA? You have to think about the potential for future growth and not allow your DH to rush you into making a fast buck.

I don't know a whole lot about MA programs but I know of 2 MAs who went to one of those fast training schools (20 week course and 10 week clinical) and were not eligible for certification. Even though the certification is voluntary in our state they both had a really hard time finding a job because most places prefer candidates with certification. One gave up and went for CNA training to find employment and the other went on to LPN school...what a waste of their time and money. So be leery of rushing to make a quick buck by doing a short MA program that may not allow you to be certified. There are no shortcuts to a quality education that will bring you a good income in any health care profession.

http://www.aama-ntl.org/becomeCMA/how.aspx

pers · May 19, 2009

I agree you should research the pay and job situation for MA. In my area (the other side of the country though!) the pay is about the same but there are actually less jobs for MAs versus CNAs. LPNs make a little more and have a lot more job options plus it's a step towards RN if that's what you really want. The training takes about the same amount of time around here too.