Decided to go Medical Assistant and discouraged

mrsraisinkain · May 19, 2009

Same here in my area - a nurse aid makes as much or even a little more than an MA. And at my school the MA program is 18 months while the LPN program is 12 months. The LPN program is much more intense but it's worth it. IMO anyway.

And I have to give some advice that you didn't ask for. This comes from someone that has been there - done that. Don't EVER settle for something less than your dream for somebody else. I did - and 10 years later I am just starting the journey through nursing over again. I quit nursing school to stay at home with our little girl like my then husband wanted me to (I am not SAHM material) and I never got over the regret and resentment I felt over him squashing my dream. Within a few months after this we were separated. I feel a spouse should be supportive in helping you accomplish your goals.

Sorry to give unsolicited advice but this is something I'm passionate about. I wish you all the best.

allnurses Guide · May 19, 2009

Some of those MA courses are from schools that are waaaay expensive but sound like they are worth it because you can get through them quickly. The problem is that they are not accredidated (sp?) and you find your time and money was wasted. I'm glad I looked at that before I wasted my time at one of those places.

I would look into what financial assistance your place of work may offer you to advance your education. I am in the nursing program and my school has been close to free for me thanks to an excellent tuition reimbursement program. :).

However, your husband's impatience is sending up a red flag to me. Will he be supportive of you if you get into a nursing program (even a two-year)?

All good things take time and HARD work and some people don't get that.

But PLEASE get yourself into a GOOD program no matter what you decide to do. But remember, it will be hard work and you will need support.

Do it for yourself.

I respect he is working hard, but I'll bet you are too. Just make it clear to him what you need from him... patience and support.

Good luck!

Midwest4me · May 19, 2009

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

I thought the same thing but then figured it was because it really takes AT LEAST 2 incomes to survive--more than that in these economic times. Perhaps he could pick up some overtime shifts or an extra job(if possible) to make things easier for the OP to attend schooling.....

RNMeg · May 19, 2009

I think your best bet is to get into LPN school and then bridge to RN, like other posters on here have said. I just checked salary.com comparing MA vs CNA vs LPN in a Southern California zip code, and MAs and CNAs make between 27k to 32k per year, whereas LPNs make 34k to 49k per year. It's better money, in a shorter period of time, and you have the opportunity for growth later.

madnurse2b · May 19, 2009

I have been a Certified Medical Assistant for six years while I went to school for prereqs for nursing school. I loved being a MA, it provided valuable experience for when I got into nursing school. It also provided a reasonable pay rate and benefit opportunities for this time period.

I understand that there is a long wait list for most California nursing schools. This could be an option for the short term. But, in this state at least, I was making more than most CNA's in the hospitals - for in my opinion - much less work. That is not always the case, please check that out before you take time away from that trek toward nursing school. Which at your age is really not that bad. Please also check on what is available in your area for new MA's right now, because, thanks to the economy this could be entirely moot if the jobs are not available or not available to new MA's.

Hope this helps.

Libra_8 · May 19, 2009

yup, i got a friend who just got her MA from a 15 program and she spent like 2 and a 1/2 times more that a ASN would have costed her... She is making 10.00/hr 2 dollars more than she made at her fast food gig. She just graduated and she is right back in school for her nursing degree. She regrets her decision....

calif-me · May 19, 2009

If you are content with what you are doing, then continue doing it. I'd only go into something else if it's what you want to do because you're the one who has to get there. Pressure is no fun. Examine all your options and try to do this when you can without a stressed state of mind. Hope this helps some.

dreamann · May 19, 2009

I would say to stick it out as a nursing assistant until you can get into nursing school. My mom is a certified medical assistant and she says that she wishes that she would have just gone to nursing school. She does earn more than a CNA but only by a few dollars. The time you are going to spend in a MA program you could have almost finished your LPN/LVN. Remind your husband to be patient and it will pay off big time. I am fininshing up nursing school in AZ and a few people in the program are from CA. They moved to AZ just to go to school because the wait in CA was very long. The cost of living here is low compared to pay. Ever thought of relocating?

coffee4metech · May 19, 2009

Would I love to relocate but we have all of our "lovely" family here that would miss us and the baby to much .

caliotter3 · May 19, 2009

Instead of paying money to get the MA and being unemployed, spend the same amount and get an LVN license. You may be able to work as an LVN, but better yet, you can use it to get into an RN program through the LVN to RN bridge. That is something you can not do with the MA. Good luck.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · May 19, 2009

Around here, CNAs and MOAs make the same amount.

In my are MAs make less than CNAs, at least CNAs in the hospitals because they can pay more in hospitals

caliotter3 · May 19, 2009

Look at this employment website: http://www.indeed.com. I see jobs for CNAs there often and most of them are at hospitals. You should be able to find a better CNA job.