LPN vs. CMA

[tarobin314]

I am new to the field and have been brousing the help wanted ads. A lot of offices hire CMA's rather than LPN's. I realize pay is one reason. But, Does a CMA have different qualifications/training than what a LPN does? Could you apply for a job that asks for CMA and be just as qualified for the position? example....an RN is qualified to do the LPN job, just paid more.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

A CMA is a certified medical assistant. Most medical assisting programs are task-oriented and train their graduates for employment in doctors' offices, clinics, and urgent care centers. The average medical assistant is paid $8 to $12 per hour; some earn more than $12 and some earn less than $8. Medical assistants can be placed into a group of healthcare workers known as unlicensed assistive personell, which simply means they're not licensed by any state. They're working under someone else's license, such as one belonging to a physician or nurse.

An LPN is a licensed practical nurse. Most practical nursing programs focus on a mixture of nursing tasks, critical thinking, and utilizing the nursing process to execute patient care. LPNs are trained to work in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, rehab, nursing homes, hospice, mental health, home health, and other areas of healthcare. The average LPN earns $14 to $21 per hour; some earn over $21 and some earn under $14. LPNs are issued nursing licenses by the state and, therefore, must practice within their defined scope or risk losing this license.

I completed a medical assisting program in 2000 and an LVN program in 2005. I must say that there's a starkly huge difference between the two programs. The easiest way to state the contrast is the fact that many CMAs end up returning to school to become LPNs. However, I have never heard of an LPN returning to school to become a CMA. The reality is that a nursing license paves the way for higher wages and more opportunities for specialization and advancement.

[LPNstudent1234]

I agree. LPN don't go back to become CMA. People say LPN compete with CMA for jobs, but I see CNA doing CMA duties. Don't waste time becoming a CMA. CNA are nurses without licenses and sometimes lack the pharm and education but have worked more nursing aspects. CNA have innate abilities that CMA most likely havent obtained. Most CNA I have worked with in clinics have much more different experiences and I trust a great deal. This one goes out to the CNA and all their hard back breaking work. I did it

[rayshettabrown]

I agree there is a difference...I did the training for medical assistant then later lpn..enjoyed working as a RMA but I like being a Lpn. My job hires only CNAs,LPNs,RNs.. In order to advance w the company that route I took. Now I'm working on my RN... I've been there 18yrs.

[Butterflybee]

I know of a healthcare facility that utilized cma's .. the facility was bought out. The new facility wanted all nurses... so the cma's went back to being a cna or had to quit. Now the facility has licensed nurses.