LPN vs. Medical Assistant

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2010

I can only tell you about my personal experience within the MA vortex. I earned my certificate in medical assisting 10 years ago and was never able to land a job as an MA. For me, it was tuition money that went down the drain. It was tuition money that could have been much better spent pursuing something else.

If your goal is to become a nurse, then the typical working hours of a medical assistant may interfere with your schooling hours. The majority of nursing programs are offered during daytime hours, and the overwhelming majority of MAs also work during daytime office hours (Monday through Friday from 8 to 5pm, or some variation of banker's hours).

If I were you, I would complete an LPN program, because the pay tends to be greater, the job opportunities are dependent upon where you live, and the transition to an RN license is made one step easier. The LPN practices under the nursing model of care delivery. The MA designation, on the other hand, is a part of the medical model of care delivery. The nursing model differs from the medical model in multiple ways.

By the way, I completed an LPN program nearly 5 years ago and have not regretted it. My income is good and I have not been without a job since I have had this LPN license. My transition to completing an RN program was also simplified by having the LPN license since none of my MA credits transferred.

mountaindewqueen · Mar 29, 2010

Thanks for the information!! If I do not get in to the nursing program, I wanted to have a back up plan ready. But hopefully I won't have to worry about a back up!

Batman25 · Mar 29, 2010

LPN. MA schools are notoriously very expensive and often misleading. You will make about half of that of a RN and you will be more limited than a nurse will be.

MissSpectacular · Mar 29, 2010

A very good friend of mine got what can only be labeled as "duped" into going to school and getting her "MA." She paid a very large sum of money for tuition, went through the classes and the clinical sessions and graduated with a very high GPA. This was in September. It is now March, and she is having a difficult time even landing interviews.

Definitely get your LPN. I'm not sure where you're located in the country, but here in the Chicago area, MAs start out around a measly 10-12 dollars an hour, while LPNs start between 19-22. MAs primarily work in doctors offices and outpatient hospital centers (if they're lucky), whereas LPNs (although still more limited in scope of practice than an RN) have the options to branch out to LTC centers and some hospitals.

Do not be scammed into getting your MA. You're better off getting your CNA than your MA, as CNAs can earn (again, not sure where you are geographically but I'm going by rates here in Chicago) a similar wage. Good luck! hope this helped.

erwigg · Mar 29, 2010

go for your LPN but have an plan to get your RN set up or in the works. LPN is better then ma. MA schools are not worth the money there are place that wiould higher without the expense of school. MA jobs are limited and lower in pay(side note: not to mention far too many people in that) compared to LPN. Lpn have fewer jobs and pay then Rn.

LPN good start keep going for the RN

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 29, 2010

Comparing an LPN to an MA is (in my mind) an unfair comparison. The two should not be compared. Apples and oranges.

One is a licensed nursing position. The other is an unlicensed position that is often filled by personnel with no official medical training.

mountaindewqueen · Mar 30, 2010

I'm glad a few of you mentioned the high cost of getting the MA. When I was looking at the MA on a couple program sites, tuition was about $14,000!!! (To me, that calls for a goodness gracious) Whereas the LPN program I have applied to is 12 months and approximately $4,100.

MissSpectacular- I am in Tennessee.

calliesue · Mar 30, 2010

Your back up plan if you don't get into lpn program could be taking pre reqs that go towards your RN.

dee78 · Mar 30, 2010

I agree with the last post, backup plan should be to take prereqs for the RN.

I always ask the "nurse" at the doctor's office if they are an LPN, RN, or MA. I had one lady tell me she was a MA so I asked her why she chose that route. She said that she knew that she could not handle death and did not want to take the chance of having to experience it in nursing school. Apparently by getting her MA certification she avoided that and works in a clinic. That is the ONLY good thing I've heard about MA.

My daughters' stepmother went to school for MA, an associate degree. I thought it was a complete waste of $$$ but not my problem. She separated from their dad last year so I haven't talked to her since she graduated. I really don't know why anyone would choose that route, except that it's easier to get into than LPN or RN schools.

Again, if you don't get into the LPN program this year, I would look into taking your prereqs for the RN. And you could consider a CNA course, they only last a few months and would give you some experience.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2010

i see that you are a gn congrats to you...

i can only tell you about my personal experience within the ma vortex. i earned my certificate in medical assisting 10 years ago and was never able to land a job as an ma. for me, it was tuition money that went down the drain. it was tuition money that could have been much better spent pursuing something else.
if your goal is to become a nurse, then the typical working hours of a medical assistant may interfere with your schooling hours. the majority of nursing programs are offered during daytime hours, and the overwhelming majority of mas also work during daytime office hours (monday through friday from 8 to 5pm, or some variation of banker's hours).
if i were you, i would complete an lpn program, because the pay tends to be greater, the job opportunities are dependent upon where you live, and the transition to an rn license is made one step easier. the lpn practices under the nursing model of care delivery. the ma designation, on the other hand, is a part of the medical model of care delivery. the nursing model differs from the medical model in multiple ways.
by the way, i completed an lpn program nearly 5 years ago and have not regretted it. my income is good and i have not been without a job since i have had this lpn license. my transition to completing an rn program was also simplified by having the lpn license since none of my ma credits transferred.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2010

i see that you are a gn congrats to you...

thanks!