Help! Cna, CCMA or LVN?

[Elle543]

I'm a newlywed military spouse trying to decide on which healthcare career path to choose.. Ultimately, I want to go back to school and become either a Physical therapy assistant or Occupational therapy assistant. However, being that I am a military spouse, and I recently moved and I pretty much live in the middle of nowhere... meaning there is only one accredited college within a reasonable commute and no accredited programs for PTa or OTa nearby.

So I am kinda stuck and needing to choose another career path for the time being. I want to be able to get a job quickly and get some clinical experience so i have that under my belt when I go to Pt or Ot school. I am debating as to which is the best route to take, as I have a scholarship that would pay for either part of a degree or the entire program for one of the allied health career diplomas offered at the school.

I can choose between, pharmacy tech, CNA and Clinical Medical Assistant (certification through NHA). All of which would be entirely covered except for uniforms/books. Or I could do the LVN program. Most my tuition would be covered, but I'd have to pay for all prerequisite classes + about $3000 in other fees. I am kinda leaning against LVN just because I already know I don't want to pursue nursing, I am just trying to get some experience until I can go to pt school. Which seems like a lot of money to spend when I already know I'll be going back to school and putting $10k+ into that degree.

Can anyone offer me any advice as to what may be the best route to choose? I defiantly want to work hands on with patients and have a very strong interest in rehabilitation/therapy, as well as mental/behavioral health. Preferably I think I would like to work in a Hospital just for the experience (I eventually want to work in inpatient rehabilitation floor of a hospital). Do Clinical Medical Assitants ever get hired in hospitals, or is it really only CNA's? If they do get hired, which floors typically hire? Are there any jobs for CNA or CMA that would allow me to work in inpatient or outpatient rehab?

Also, what is the pay difference between a CNA and a CMA? Does anyone one know about the credibility of the NHA? I know the AMMA is way more well known, but this school only offers certification through the NHA.

I guess the the big thing is I want experience but I don't want to waste my scholarship/time on a program that won't be properly certified or that's i will be unable to find a job relatively quickly with. So any advice anyone can offer would be amazing! Thanks :)

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

Going by your post, I would encourage CNA for you. As a CNA, you will be working in a hospital or LTC helping with daily needs of patients. You will also learn how to best help them when there are disabilities or they just need help with doing things. CMAs tend to work more in doctor's offices and you wouldn't have that much of a chance to assist and learn techniques to help the patients learn how to deal with any disabilities they may have.

Also, CNA classes will get you working sooner if that is what you want.

Just my two cents.