Likes medical over patient care

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am a Certified Nursing Assistant and a Certified Medical Assistant in the next two months, is there anything special career wise I could do. I like both jobs lining more towards medical over patient care, But just wondering if there any testing I can do to move up the medical ladder and so etc. Thank you for your time.

Dear Likes Medical,

After medical assistant, the next big step for you is to become a Physician's Assistant (PA). It's a long term goal, because you need to attend college and be accepted into a PA program.

If you do not want to go that route, consider phlebotomy. Phlebotomists work in hospitals or labs and draw blood. There's also ultrasound tech, or Xray technician. Xray technician programs are often community college based, and take about a year.

There are many other technical positions, such as cath lab technician, or even emergency medical technician (EMT) for an ambulance company. Think about what setting you see yourself in, and best wishes with your decision.

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!