MA or CNA or LPN- Currently MA Student

[Kellirenay]

So, I'm in a medical assistant program. I'm contemplating on staying in it. I'm seeing some reviews on CNAs and LPNs and maybe that isn't the right choice for me, although I want to become a nurse because I like to be more hands on with the patients than administrative. Here are half the classes I took and some I'm taking now. I will finish an August 19' then I was thinking to go to get my BSN. Hopefully some of these credits transfer, because if they dont, ill just keep my career as an MA. The job basically consists of administrative tasks, EMR, taking vitals, rooming patients, billing and insurance verification, phlebotomy, etc. almost like Hosting the patients and preping them. I wish to be more hands on with the customer as far as patient "care". Ive heard BSN is straight paperwork and managing. I'm not babysitting and I dont want to be anyone's boss so maybe LPN is better than RN. I dont care about the money, I just wanna do somthing I love, and some of these nurses look stressed.. lolz also I seen the beef with MAs and RNs, RNs get mad when people refer to MAs as nurses, but they have a waaaay bigger scope of practice, so idc where the confusion would take place. I think LPNs have more flexibility in their schedule right?

Medical Terminology

Anatomy 1 and 2

Clinical 1 and 2

Phlebotomy

Medical Administration

Medical Law and Ethics

Pathology & Pharmacology

Document Processing

Medical Finance

ICD-CM Coding 1

CPT Coding 2

Devolpmental Psycology

When done I will have:

Associates in Applied Science

Phlebotomist

CPC (certified professional coder)

I think we can be pretty flexible with those choices, plus I'm a licensed cosmetologist for 8 years already so, you see where I can fit.. dermatology, oncology, plastics etc...

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

What do you actually want?

You're not sure if you want to stay in your MA program. You don't think you want to be a CNA or LPN. You don't want to be an RN because "I'm not babysitting and I dont want to be anyone's boss so maybe LPN is better than RN. I dont care about the money..."

Please don't waste money on a degree you're not sure about.

Also, what do job prospects look like for MAs where you live? Is it worth the time, the effort, the money?

[Kellirenay]

What do you actually want?

You're not sure if you want to stay in your MA program. You don't think you want to be a CNA or LPN. You don't want to be an RN because "I'm not babysitting and I dont want to be anyone's boss so maybe LPN is better than RN. I dont care about the money..."

Please don't waste money on a degree you're not sure about.

Also, what do job prospects look like for MAs where you live? Is it worth the time, the effort, the money?

In all honesty I "want" to cure people. I care for people who are not well. I'm happy in my cosmetology field and I took medical assisting up just to grab a logical degree since I'm 27, New York is currently being gentrified and cosmetology is not a lucrative career for me anymore. In New York your best bet is Law, Finance, or Medical. I chose medical. I didnt know I would like the science as much as I do but I actually love everything about the human body and how it works. I want stability, cosmetology is not stable for me now. I know I can't essentially "cure" as a nurse, I guess that's more of a doctor's job..but I feel like If I become an RN I would be seeking a manager position, that I don't want. I just want to help people feel better, that are sick, comfort people who are down, make people happy even though they are feeling bad maybe that's more psychological. I am confused at this point thanks for noticing. And my mom says the same thing "you don't know what you want" it kind of makes me all nervous because I don't wanna make a mistake... or the wrong choice.

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

I would recommend you start off being a CNA. It provides a chance for you to care for people and a chance to make money. Look for a CNA school that takes a month to complete.

Being an RN doesn't mean you'll be a manager. There are other things RNs do. You can actually go on to become a teacher for CNAs or you could get a master's degree and teach at a college or university. There's more to nursing than people think.

My suggestion is that you try and get into the profession, and the CNA certificate allows you to do that without committing fully.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Wannabenurseneko]

Since LPN are nurses as well, if you do become one you will be in charge of the CNAs that work in your facility. You really need to take some time to think about this.

[Kellirenay]

Thank you so much I appreciate your help I will totally keep you posted. That sounds like a great idea..

[Kellirenay]

I would totally take that into consideration as well. I really like more care than administrative and I dont think I would be a great boss I'm more of a team player. Thank you for your help too! I'll keep you updated on my journey. I'm so happy so found this site!