Differences between Medical Assistants and Registered Nurses?

[MA2006]

I ran into an old friend from elementary school and she brought up that she was graduating soon from a 12 month long MA program. I am not sure, but I guess she had begun her 4 month long clinical phase(?). I congratulated her on her success (she graduated with honors) and I mentioned that we had something in common, that I also was entering the medical field. I told her that I had just been accepted into a RN program a few days prior (I was still in shock ). As soon as I said that, she got really defensive. She began stating that MAs do 90% of what RNs do, if not more. MAs get paid almost the same as RNs because the knowledge is the basically the same:uhoh3:.

She basically said that RNs and MAs are the same except that MAs don't do IVs.

Then she proceeded to tell me how she hated the RNs in her clinicals.

After a while she calmed down and said that she wanted to be a RN but went the MA route because she was getting a break with the tuition. She also plans on eventually going into a RN program once she is more financially able. My question is how similar are MAs and RNs? I worked at an internal med office for a year and I remember pretty well what our MA did most of the time (she trained me).Then again I am sure there are more skills under her belt that she just never had the chance to use within that year. Once she began talking then my defences went up as well (I felt like she was putting me down), although I kept quiet because who am I to say anything, I am not a nurse yet , right?

Since I did not attent school with her, how do I know what her curriculum consisted of? So now I am turning to you ladies and gents to educate me on how similar or different MAs and RNs are.

[RXCT]

I agree, Why did I spend almost $30,00 at LPN school when my school also offered MA pregram for 1/2 that? In retrospect...is a PA the equiv. to an MD

[sayitgirl]

I agree, Why did I spend almost $30,00 at LPN school when my school also offered MA pregram for 1/2 that? In retrospect...is a PA the equiv. to an MD

Since they are equivalent why not just close down all the nursing schools and just have MA's:monkeydance:

[Marti Ann]

Personally, I probably wouldn't have dignified her comments with a response. I met an MA instructor when I was teaching LPNs, who basically told us instructors the same thing as your friend. We just rolled our eyes and held our tongues.

Here's an example of a job description for a medical assistant, taken from a major medical center:

"* Provides care to patients. Assists patients with personal hygiene, nutrition, comfort, and safety. Maintains comfortable, orderly, safe, and clean environment.

* Prepares patients for examinations. Provides routine information related to medical treatments and procedures.

* Measures and records vital signs. Collects specimens.

* Prepares examining rooms. Selects and lays out medical supplies. Maintains medical equipment.

* Records and reports patient information. Retrieves laboratory test results and patient files.

* Escorts patients and visitors.

* Orders and maintains inventory of supplies.

* Performs clerical functions related to medical activities.

"The job duties listed above are representative and characteristic of the duties required and the level of the work performed in the job title. The duties will vary from incumbent to incumbent in the job title."

"Required Knowledge:

General knowledge, high school level; detailed but narrow knowledge in one or several work-related areas; general acquaintance with broader field of knowledge.

Limited acquaintance with business, accounting, or commercial procedures.

Limited knowledge of University organizational policies and procedures generally; detailed knowledge of a narrow area of University rules and procedures.

Required Skills:

Copies data from standard or easily understandable formats.

Files already labeled material using a straightforward alphabetical, numerical or chronological system.

Understands short notes, basic written instructions, and forms.

Writes short informal notes, fills out simple forms.

Occasional use of more complex machines, including word processors or personal computers.

Performs a few simple laboratory or scientific procedures; records results as necessary.

Office and Administrative Skills:

Keyboards letters, memos, and other moderately complex material.

Enters and retrieves data from given sources on a personal computer.

Schedules and coordinates appointments.

Screens and refers callers and visitors to the appropriate individual.

Experience, Education and Formal Training:

Two years of related work experience and a high school level education; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Complexity and Organization:

Limited variety of job tasks requiring coordinating steps/procedures.

Occasionally coordinates or organizes the work of others.

Interpersonal Relations:

Ongoing involvement outside immediate unit.

Offers or obtains basic information or provides assistance on general matters.

Understands and conveys more complex messages and instructions, and takes action accordingly.

Supervisory Guidelines:

Work is subject to general review on an occasional basis.

Supervisor and incumbent plan, assign, and schedule work jointly.

Instruction provided only in new situations, methods and procedures that are not clearly related to existing tasks and duties.

Independent Judgment:

Established procedures/policies govern most work situations.

Occasional exercise of independent judgment or initiative.

Problems solved by using established procedures.

Leadership Responsibility:

Occasionally provides general orientation to routine procedures/policies.

Sometimes distributes and monitors work.

Impact and Consequence of Error:

Work affects only immediate work unit.

Errors are somewhat difficult to recognize and correct and can cause harm or financial loss to individuals, departments, and the University or to other individuals and groups."

Now here's the job description of one registered nurse position, also in an ambulatory setting, at the same major medical center:

"General Purpose:

Provide direct service in multi-problem situations for a selected caseload of patients. Triage of clinic patients and telephone calls.

Essential Duties of the Position

1. Plan and coordinate the patient flow through Urgent Care. Supervise the work of ancillary and part-time personnel. Provide a harmonious work environment. Engage in crisis management of physically or mentally ill patients. Be prepared to render life saving care such as initiation of CPR until MD arrives. Assist in stabilizing the patient for transfer to xxx Medical Center (or other acute facilities). Coordinate activities in the event of a fire or other disaster. Assist with physical care of patients including lifting.

2. Assess the patient's problem via the telephone. May advise treatment without direct medical consultation, advise patient to come in for care at the health center. Or advise care at an acute facility, i.e., Emergency room, or encourage self-care at home.

3. Accurately and systematically audit records, conduct interviews, identify problems, determine and implement a plan of action and evaluate the results.

4. Communicate with other health care clinicians to ensure appropriate on-going care.

5. Provide emotional support and/or encourage the use of appropriate support.

6. Encourage preventative health practices.

7. Make fiscal decisions such as ordering ambulance service, ordering laboratory tests and ordering equipment and supplies for use in the clinical areas.

8. Proficient in the placement and maintenance of I.V. therapy.

9. Maintain records and dispense narcotics, medications and other controlled substances.

10. Orient new staff and provide input in evaluating the performance of ancillary personnel.

11. Responsible for maintenance of a comfortable, orderly, safe and clean environment.

12. May be assigned to the Inpatient Care Facility as needed.

Experience and Training

1. State R.N. license

2. Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing.

3. CPR certification.

4. IV/Phlebotomy experience

5. Preferred: BSN and one-year experience working in a ambulatory care setting, emergency room or urgent care setting."

Pretty soon you will get an idea of what is really involved in becoming a registered nurse. It is not a collection of tasks. It is a discipline, which requires thought and knowledge and discernment and analysis and stamina and courage and tact and vision and organization and education and a thousand other skills that the MA is nowhere near "90%" ready to handle.

Great answer.:monkeydance:

Do you know the difference between a MA vs CNA?

Thanks

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

Great answer.:monkeydance:

Do you know the difference between a MA vs CNA?

Thanks

There are big differences between an MA and a CNA. All you have to do is a web search and you will find your answer. Comparing the disciplines really gets us no where. It is like comparing apples to oranges some are bitter and some are sweet. I think each and every person is needed in every discipline to achieve the best care possible for our patients. MA's should not be calling themselves nurses just as nurses should not call themselves doctors (not that I have ever heard a nurse do this, I just used it as a reference).

[chadash]

:monkeydance:

You are multitasked, flexible with many roles.

I liked that. Ever thought of producing motivational tapes?

And to the question: What is the difference between CNAs and MAs...

In my state, there is considerable difference. As a CNA1, I basically can only do vitals and assist with baths and other ADLs. My skills are very limited.

I think MAs are trained in phlebotomy, office skills, EKGs and basic test that are typical in a physician's office, and have a good knowledge of medical terminology and a shallow but good overview of pharmaceuticals. Very much a tech thing. MAs are not low skilled, but their training and education is not that of a nurse. I am not certain, but I do not think MAs are prepared to make the kinds of judgements that are required in a hospital setting by nurses.

If I were a MA, I would rely on the office RN to instruct and make judgements along with the physicians. Again, I would see myself in an assist role.

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I liked that. Ever thought of producing motivational tapes?

And to the question: What is the difference between CNAs and MAs...

In my state, there is considerable difference. As a CNA1, I basically can only do vitals and assist with baths and other ADLs. My skills are very limited.

I think MAs are trained in phlebotomy, office skills, EKGs and basic test that are typical in a physician's office, and have a good knowledge of medical terminology and a shallow but good overview of pharmaceuticals. Very much a tech thing. MAs are not low skilled, but their training and education is not that of a nurse. I am not certain, but I do not think MAs are prepared to make the kinds of judgements that are required in a hospital setting by nurses.

If I were a MA, I would rely on the office RN to instruct and make judgements along with the physicians. Again, I would see myself in an assist role.

Yes, you hit the nail on the head:Crash:, being a former medical assisstant myself.

[Greenthumbnurse]

I have been teaching some classes in a medical assisting program in Tennessee. The majority of students do not have a high school diploma; many do not even have GED's. I am frankly appalled at the lack of academic skills many have. (Some don't even have basic writing skills.) There are no requirements for their education or practice; it is very difficult to fail these students & I would not want the majority of them to figure out dosages & solutions for me. Technical skills can be learned easily, but critical thinking skills aren't really taught in the program. If I sound somewhat discouraged, I am. Everything is about "retainment." Having said all that, there are a very few "jewels" in the program-I've encouraged those students to pursue further education and wish them the best. I doubt them majority of the students will have MA jobs in five years. They don't seem to be able to learn professionalism such as removing tongue piercings, staying off the cell phone at work & cutting their long glamour nails. I'm all for giving everyone a chance, but they have to be willing to help themselves.

[sayitgirl]

I have been teaching some classes in a medical assisting program in Tennessee. The majority of students do not have a high school diploma; many do not even have GED's. I am frankly appalled at the lack of academic skills many have. (Some don't even have basic writing skills.) There are no requirements for their education or practice; it is very difficult to fail these students & I would not want the majority of them to figure out dosages & solutions for me. Technical skills can be learned easily, but critical thinking skills aren't really taught in the program. If I sound somewhat discouraged, I am. Everything is about "retainment." Having said all that, there are a very few "jewels" in the program-I've encouraged those students to pursue further education and wish them the best. I doubt them majority of the students will have MA jobs in five years. They don't seem to be able to learn professionalism such as removing tongue piercings, staying off the cell phone at work & cutting their long glamour nails. I'm all for giving everyone a chance, but they have to be willing to help themselves.

You know what folks, the bottom line there is a place for all disciplines in the medical field. " A top for every pot". I like the MA's I see when I go to my doctor. I am sure that my patients and staff like to see me when I come to work as an RN. And I think that I made a difference each facility that I worked at as a LPN. We all have roles to play in each field or level of nursing.

Hoorah for one and all!

[tlp12]

i have a hard time thinking that she makes anything near what an rn makes. I live in a very small town, (if you blink, you miss it), MA's here make around 10 and RN's around 22 when they first graduate.

[sayitgirl]

I liked that. Ever thought of producing motivational tapes?

And to the question: What is the difference between CNAs and MAs...

In my state, there is considerable difference. As a CNA1, I basically can only do vitals and assist with baths and other ADLs. My skills are very limited.

I think MAs are trained in phlebotomy, office skills, EKGs and basic test that are typical in a physician's office, and have a good knowledge of medical terminology and a shallow but good overview of pharmaceuticals. Very much a tech thing. MAs are not low skilled, but their training and education is not that of a nurse. I am not certain, but I do not think MAs are prepared to make the kinds of judgements that are required in a hospital setting by nurses.

If I were a MA, I would rely on the office RN to instruct and make judgements along with the physicians. Again, I would see myself in an assist role.

Even though there is a difference, in a lot of areas they (MA's, CNA's) make the same amount of money...

So I guess get the job you enjoy doing...

[Heart4RN]

I have been an MA for 14 years and have completed my first semester of the RN program. NEVER should a MA refer to themselves as a nurse! MA's are taught only the basic skills to help assist the doctor in a medical office setting along with clerical skills. As an MA we have a scope of practice that we are bound by and have to follow. There is some leniency (sp?) because we work directly under the doctor and have the ability to be taught a tremendous amount because we basically fall under the MD's malpractice. MA's were first taught by the doctor eons ago, as there were not programs for them. As an MA they also can be specialized but these again are teachings by the MD, such as working in ortho, or ob/gyn.

The pay scale differs from area to area and experience. I have NEVER heard of an MA even with more experience then myself making more than a graduate LVN/LPN. The other thing is that MA's DO NOT have the assessment skills that "Real Nurses" have. MA's do not have to be certified nor registered. They do not have to have a certain amount of CME's to continue with anything or are they mandated to keep up on medical information. Depending on their place of employment they may need to keep up on their CPR, such as myself in the clinical setting that I'm in, but other than that nothing!

Don't get me wrong. The experience of the last 14 years has been great and very invaluable! I was able to assist in minor surgeries in the office (rhinoplasty, septoplasty, etc). I wouldn't change a thing as it has helped me to decide where I want to focus as a RN.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

[quote=fayejum]. cma's can now start iv's in nc.

please tell me that im not the only one that thinks this is a bad idea!!!!!!!