Lvn vs Medical assisting

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi i am currently in a ma program .. well barely it just started. Well yesterday i found out i was accepted into the Lvn program at the college i just left. I am really confused on which i should do. I would really appreciate all the advice or suggestions you all could give me i am kinda on a time crunch to let the schools know so any help please! any lvn nurses or previous ma's i would especially appreciate your advice on the professions.

HeartsOpenWide, RN

1 Article; 2,889 Posts

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I am a previous MA. Medical Assisting is not a bad thing, but if I had the option you have I would do LVN. With the LVN you can move up to RN if you want to do that later, there is nothing to move up to with MA; although it did help me get into my BSN program because of the experience. LVN pay us MUCH better than MA and you will get to do a lot more as an LVN. MAs work in doctor's offices while the LVN has the option to work in a doctors office, SNF, or some hospitals (some hospitals do not hire LVNs anymore but many still do). Your education will be more extensive as an LVN too.:twocents:

DiabeticGirl18

45 Posts

yea that has been my logic to it.. but the down side with it is the hours.. i wouldn't be able to work.. and right now i am living with my bf and his family... if i did the nursing i would have to live with my mom and her bf.. love my mom not the bf..hes a jerk.. but its something i just might have to do

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

You would be doing better for yourself in the long run if you went into the LVN program. Your job opportunities will be greater and you will open up the possibility of an LVN to RN bridge program.

lexie'smama

29 Posts

Specializes in GYN, IM, Cardiac.

i am a current MA, and just got accepted into LPN program for August. If i had it to do over again, I would have went on for my RN or did LPN first, but at the time, I was newly married and low income, so MA was the fastest choice for me. My MA program was only around 4 months, and LPN is 12 months. So, i did MA first, and now, 7 yrs and 2 kids later, going back for LPN and eventually RN. LPN would be better, but i definitely understand that sometimes, we dont have the time or money to do it all at once. If you don't , then get your MA, then you can make okay money and eventually go for LPN or RN. Just keep your goals and dreams in sight and dont give em up, even if you have to climb that ladder little by little. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!!

DiabeticGirl18

45 Posts

i really appreciate all of yalls advice.. thanks keep it coming

DiabeticGirl18

45 Posts

question for the few of you who did ma first how much did yall make an hr.. i live in the fort worth area of texas btw.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

I've seen ads for experienced MAs in my area at $12-$14 an hour and ads for LVNs ranging from $15 to $26 an hour, averaging $18 to $20 an hour. You have to take into consideration how many MA jobs are available and how many of the openings require experience.

lexie'smama

29 Posts

Specializes in GYN, IM, Cardiac.

i live in tennessee, and around my area, MA's can make anywhere from 9.00 -15.00 per hour. And i've heard LPN's in LTC are at least 16 per hour. But, in a dr. office, MA and LPN will usually be making about the same, maybe a little difference.

DiabeticGirl18

45 Posts

yea i have noticed a lot of ma jobs also say lvn's can do, i think it wierd the lvn's do not get phlebotomy training or IV training.. i think it should be something they also have to take

lexie'smama

29 Posts

Specializes in GYN, IM, Cardiac.

i agree. I have learned alot in 7 years as an MA, and with my training, i have worked in some great offices, and did alot of different things. I have worked in the lab, in Gynecology, cardiology, removed sutures, helped with procedures, did caths and all kinds of other interesting things. As i look back, i am grateful for that practice, so i feel like maybe now, it will make nursing school a little easier and i might have an extra advantage with some things. It's a great beginner job for medical field. You learn alot, and MA's are hugely in demand in my area, and you get experience with soo many different fields of medicine. But, the reason i am going on for my LPN and RN is i want to eventually work in the NICU as an RN with the babies. That's my longterm goal.

DiabeticGirl18

45 Posts

yea i want to work in pediactrics.. im just afraid if i do the ma i wont go back later.. but there is issues with me moving home.. i dont get a long with moms bf and its a hour away from my fiance,, and we would barely get to see each other.. so i would have to make sacrifices.. right now im trying to see if it would be worth it.. i think in the long run money and stability wise it would be but yea..

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