LPN versus CMA

Nurses LPN/LVN

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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:

Thank you for saying that.....I received a comment stating that we do less than...that's where that comment came from. That's is fact of it all different task different areas I don't think or feel that im better than I just feel MA's should be acknowledgement for the hardwork as well.

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Let The Dead Horse Beatings' Commence!!!Lolol

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
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

It's one thing to be proud about your accomplishments but it's another to have the mentality that you know everything a nurse does. In reality you do not have the same educational background that nurses do. I say that could be dangerous because you may feel you can do things outside of your educational and skill set that you don't have a license to back up. This can lead to negative outcomes for patients. Be proud of what you do, but also respect that you have much to learn as you complete your education and gain license or certification.

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I clearly replied yes to all of the above questions, my Dr. knew my abilities had faith in me thus the reason I was given those tasks. Admiting that I was trained by his head RN! ;~>

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
I clearly replied yes to all of the above questions, my Dr. knew my abilities had faith in me thus the reason I was given those tasks. Admiting that I was trained by his head RN! ;~>

I was asking if you did that in the inpatient hospital setting, not within a doctors office or clinic.

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Never once said I know everything a nurse does. By law I can't practice outside of my scope ie I would have to have a cert if I performed xrays and so on. Respect is a two way straight and I notice from recent threads that SOME LPN's and RN's don't respect RMA's or CMA's

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Hospital, remember we work under direct supervision just like LPN's

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
Never once said I know everything a nurse does. By law I can't practice outside of my scope ie I would have to have a cert if I performed xrays and so on. Respect is a two way straight and I notice from recent threads that SOME LPN's and RN's don't respect RMA's or CMA's

So you can just "do more than an LPN" but you don't know as much? Is that what your saying? Hmmm..... that seems a little backwards....

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
Hospital, remember we work under direct supervision just like LPN's

wow I'd like to know what state you work in, because I would never want to go to a hospital where I am being cared for by a non certified MA instead of licensed nurse!

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Specializes in ER, Surgery.

Forgive me if I misunderstand, but I am confused about some of your posts

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

Does this not indicate that you feel you are at least as qualified as an LPN

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!!

Again, suggestive that if the doc thinks so you are as competent and qualified as a nurse

Thank you for saying that.....I received a comment stating that we do less than...that's where that comment came from. That's is fact of it all different task different areas I don't think or feel that im better than I just feel MA's should be acknowledgement for the hardwork as well.

That's not what you said in the first quote of yours you said "state 10 things a LPN can do that a MA can't"

Now are you able to do the same as a LPN or are the roles different, the nurses who have responded to you seem to be very clear about thier role, responsibilities and bounderies.

Never once said I know everything a nurse does. By law I can't practice outside of my scope ie I would have to have a cert if I performed xrays and so on. Respect is a two way straight and I notice from recent threads that SOME LPN's and RN's don't respect RMA's or CMA's

If you need a cert to perform XRAYs, does that mean that you are also equivelent to a radiographer, or did you mean request XRAY's.

In the UK we have very very strict guidlines about who can and cannot request and "perform" XRAY's and unless you are a RN who has had specific training or a doctor legally you are not allowed to request them. I am sure the US is not that different because you are dealing with Medical Radiation which is not something to be taken lightly

I am not even going into performing them because I don't believe as a MA you would be able to do a certificate that would allow you to "perform" an XRAY

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Let me correct that....never once did I say I know everything a nurse knows but I cannot "do" something without the knowledge of the task. So I must learn first then do.

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Post after post there are statments of what an LPN does never once was it mentioned exactly what those task are, but everything that could be said about an MA was said. I studied radiography in school (for limited practice none the less) xray science, radiographic anatomy, positioning, pathology,professionalism and patient care, ancillary clinical skills. Also optimum kilvoltage (kVp) ranges since Im being called out on my education and knowledge of my field. Your misconstrude not calling myself an lpn radiographer or an rn just saying we are previed to certs. skills, abilities more than what you may think.

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