LPN or Medical Assistant

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Should I go back to school and get my M.A. certicate or LPN? They are both the same length program, MA has a better schedule for the program. LPNs don't work in hospitals here, and from what I can tell MAs do. I would like to be able to work in a hospital setting if I so choose. Advice?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

LVNs & MAs are two completely different things. Do you want to be a nurse? I'm sure MAs work in the hospital but not in a nursing role.

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Can you explain to me then what a MA would do in a hospital? From everything I have read an LPN and MA do very similar duties, is that not true?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Most MA's work in outpatient physician practices as that is their training and scope. Hospitals employ CNAs and nurses. It's not common for an MA to be hired in a hospital as hospital training is usually not part of MA. MA is an unlicensed assistive personnel who generally works under physician direction. LVN/LPN is a licensed nurse.

Nurses have more pharmacology and pathophysiogy to understand background processes. MA's are not often given background training and is more skills based.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If an MA was hired in a hospital (I would be surprised if they were), I would assume it would be as a unit secretary. Most MAs I've seen work in doctor's offices.

No MAs & LVNs don't do the same thing. One is a nurse the other is just an assistant. LVNs can do what MAs can do but MAs can't do everything LVNs can do.

Not only that but LVNs can work in a lot more places. LVNs can work in hospitals, nursing homes, jails, PDN & so on. MAs I don't know, I believe their only option is doctor's offices.

I don't know what state you live in but I would look up the scope of practice for MAs & LVNs.

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Thank you! I live in Florida.

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Just a thought -- your forum name is "WantToBeMidwife." Correct me if I'm wrong (truly!), but I believe midwifery is an advanced practice RN role. The LVN route would be a step in that direction, MA would not.

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Yes you are right, I do desire to become a midwife one day. The only problem with stepping in that direction right now is the age of my children. My youngest is almost 6, but I have 5 children. I was hoping to wait until he got a little older and things calmed down before taking on the long hours. I was in RN school already, I did 2 semesters and had to stop because it took such a toll of my family. 5 young kdis and nursing school was no easy road. I thought maybe I would take another stab at something that didn't take as much schooling, but would get me in the field and work on my clinical skills (and make a little extra money) until my children got older. CNA is even an idea, they are hiring CNAs in a lot of hospitals around here right now. If anyone has any other ideas for me please shoot them at me. I'm open to different paths. Thanks! :-)

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If you want to be a midwife one day I would consider becoming a nurse. That is the best route. If your youngest is 6 he/she will understand you are in school & need to study. It's a small sacrifice for now but it will be worth it in the end.

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