LPN versus CMA

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I was thinking at first of going for my Medical Assistant degree, since I want to work in a clinic so badly. I heard so much about how LPN's are getting phased out and only CMA's are getting jobs at clinics, and CMA's are higher up than LPN's. This of course coming from recruters from CMA programs. It would seem that the only difference between CMA's and LPN's are the fact that Med Asst's. get training in lab and x-ray. Well, I already am a certified Phlebotomist, and so I have that going. Any of you guys and gals work alongside Med Assts? Anyone work in clinics? :balloons:

CNA's do less than MA's

MA's do less than LPN's

LPN's do les than RN's

So on and so forth but if it weren't for the ones in the "lesser" positions none of the things that you "better than" mentality people aren't willing to do wouldn't get done.

My mission is to further my education and obtain a higher title but I won't continue to allow anyone to try and downgrade and discredit the position and title that I hold as of right now. I don't mind making 35,000 starting out because its not about the money silly mortal ;~> its about helping and the purpose in what im doing. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORESES PEOPLE!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is up to the MA after grad to get certified or registered (CMA or RMA), this will increase pay and they will be NATIONALLY certified and not confined to a licensure within their state

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Someone please name me ten things that an LPN does that an MA doesn't. I have an open mind......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So on and so forth but if it weren't for the ones in the "lesser" positions none of the things that you "better than" mentality people aren't willing to do wouldn't get done.
I do not recall anyone on this particular thread declaring that he/she is "better" than a medical assistant, and I've been following the posts in this particular thread over the course of the past 3 years (yes, this thread originally started in 2005). Again, you may wish to check out the other discussions regarding MAs on these forums before you expend additional time and precious efforts in defense of your title.

This one-upmanship argument is akin to beating the dead horse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not on any high horse and no it isn't ALL about the money but your education should commensurate with your rate of pay (at least somewhat). I go to a school with an RN program and an MA program both are two years in duration. When the MAs graduate with their AA they will be paid anywhere from $9-15 per hour and I will be paid no less than $35/hr. Same two years same student loan but the difference in pay is ridiculous.

As an LPN right now....with 11 months in schooling I am paid just shy of $24/hr.

CNA's do less than MA's

MA's do less than LPN's

LPN's do les than RN's

So on and so forth but if it weren't for the ones in the "lesser" positions none of the things that you "better than" mentality people aren't willing to do wouldn't get done.

My mission is to further my education and obtain a higher title but I won't continue to allow anyone to try and downgrade and discredit the position and title that I hold as of right now. I don't mind making 35,000 starting out because its not about the money silly mortal ;~> its about helping and the purpose in what im doing. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORESES PEOPLE!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
CNA's do less than MA's

MA's do less than LPN's

LPN's do les than RN's

So on and so forth but if it weren't for the ones in the "lesser" positions none of the things that you "better than" mentality people aren't willing to do wouldn't get done.

My mission is to further my education and obtain a higher title but I won't continue to allow anyone to try and downgrade and discredit the position and title that I hold as of right now. I don't mind making 35,000 starting out because its not about the money silly mortal ;~> its about helping and the purpose in what im doing. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORESES PEOPLE!!!

Well yes that is correct, in a very black and white sense....

I have no issues with CMAs. I do have issues with CMAs who hold themselves to the level of Nurse. I think those kind of people are dangerous. I don't remember seeing any posts of anyone downgrading or discrediting CMAs. We get defensive when non nurses come on here and make ignorant posts. Surely you would feel the same way if a CNA said the same thing about CMAs. Good luck with your educational pursuits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

YES and its not a lawsuit if you are certified/registered that validates the compentancy of the individual even more......The physician and state determines that not a nurse!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
CNA's do less than MA's

MA's do less than LPN's

LPN's do les than RN's

So on and so forth but if it weren't for the ones in the "lesser" positions none of the things that you "better than" mentality people aren't willing to do wouldn't get done.

My mission is to further my education and obtain a higher title but I won't continue to allow anyone to try and downgrade and discredit the position and title that I hold as of right now. I don't mind making 35,000 starting out because its not about the money silly mortal ;~> its about helping and the purpose in what im doing. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORESES PEOPLE!!!

Maybe you are being sensitive, but no one has discredited CMAs. I was one myself and was a good one. However, because I attended both programs, I see the clear difference between the CMA and Nurse. I thought that I would be able to use my CMA notes to assist me with nursing school, but I couldn't because nursing was much more detailed than task oriented, in addition, if the state were to revoke my license I cannot work anywhere as a nurse. I wish you well in your career endeavors, also!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
Someone please name me ten things that an LPN does that an MA doesn't. I have an open mind......

Well for starters (I'm not going to make a list by the way), you never answered the questions I asked about what you did in the hospital. That would knock a few things off the list....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.
CNA's do less than MA's

MA's do less than LPN's

LPN's do les than RN's

So on and so forth but if it weren't for the ones in the "lesser" positions none of the things that you "better than" mentality people aren't willing to do wouldn't get done.

My mission is to further my education and obtain a higher title but I won't continue to allow anyone to try and downgrade and discredit the position and title that I hold as of right now. I don't mind making 35,000 starting out because its not about the money silly mortal ;~> its about helping and the purpose in what im doing. GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORESES PEOPLE!!!

It's not about who does "LESS". Good grief. It's DIFFERENT!!! The Resident Care-Aids (similar to CNA- I'm in Canada) at my LTC do A LOT!!! They work their buns off. They in no way do "LESS" than I do. They do DIFFERENT duties than I do. They do not give meds, treatments, perform assessments, perform nursing interventions etc. I do not do the majority of the personal care on residents, the care-aids do. So, no, I don't think anyone in healthcare does "LESS", they do different tasks.

Some days I feel like I've done "MORE" than my manager who is a 35+ year BSN, but she is still much more qualified than I am. What we do is DIFFERENT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

But you have to think about, if the Dr. has faith in a paticular MA and pays for schooling for certifications and other education advancements and raises her pay and holds her at the same level as his RN's don't you think that persons mentality would change.

I'm new to this site so yes it would seem as if I have a chip but the actuality is that its different in each state with each doctor and you cant pigeonhole a group of professionals. Its just time someone feels and speak the same way about being an MA the way that the other professionals speak about their title.

Thank you I wish you all the success in your endeavours as well

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your entitled to your opinion in the same manner I am.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment