MA To LPN Program. Why not?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2005

Hello and welcome to all nurses. I have never heard of a MA to LPN program . The two professions are completley different in their responsibilities and duties. There is very little I learned in the MA program that was presented to me in the LVN program. I would recommend restarting a LVN program or even better look into the RN programs in your area. Good Luck

Hi everyone I am new to the forum and so GLAD to be here. Maybe someone can give me some advice. I'm a 50 year old woman, who is returning to work as a Medical Assistant. Fortunately I've found a physician's office that will let me start out slowly at brushing up on my skills. Many years ago when my husband was military, I started an LPN program but with only one quarter left till graduation uncle sam required that we make yet another move back to Germany. Three tours in all.
Now my kids are grown and I am wondering if it's too late to go back (of course I'd have to start another program all over again) and complete the nursing program. I really want a license but wonder if I'm too old now to start from scratch. That's why I'm getting my feet wet with working in a physicians back offie.
Does anyone know if it's possible to apply any of my MA training and life experience/skills towards Nursing? Since they have LPN to RN etc. why don't they have an
MA to LPN program? If you look in the classified adds, alot of places even advertise for MA's and LPN's together.
Example: Looking for LPN/MA to work back office at ...........
Ma's are not required to have a license (in Indiana) though we perform a lot of the same duties, and some duties that are more technical in nature than an LPN. PLEASE help out this indy MA:uhoh3: Any suggestions/direction or advice would be great. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my post.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 6, 2005

Hey there and welcome. Moved this to the LPN/LVN forum in hopes you get more replies here! Be sure to check out all our forums here and enjoy your membership.

indyMA · Oct 6, 2005

Hi and thanks for the advice. Yes I am debating between the LPN and RN programs. I guess in my first post I was mainly refering to the duties performed in a physicians office. There is no difference. They are identical in that they perform the same tasks. I guess MA's are limited to physician's offices, medical clinics and blood banks. Not much different than an LPN/LVN being somewhat limited to hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. Both can also work for a temp service and LPN's are needed in homecare as well, which the MA's are not. But...RN's can work anywhere,

and they make more money. I just don't know if I can afford the RN program at the moment. Maybe I should start with the LPN program then do an "on track" program to RN later.

Thanks again txspadequeen921:thankya: Your words of wisdom are appreciated.

Hello and welcome to all nurses. I have never heard of a MA to LPN program . The two professions are completley different in their responsibilities and duties. There is very little I learned in the MA program that was presented to me in the LVN program. I would recommend restarting a LVN program or even better look into the RN programs in your area. Good Luck

newflgrad · Oct 8, 2005

HI there! I don' t believe any age is "to Old" to learn anything! I believe you can do whatever you want to do. I will tell you that I was once an MA in a Pediatrics office for 8 yrs and a few short stays in podiatry, general surgeon's office, infectious disease office, GP office and I am not sure if I am leaveing anyone out, haha, but I have to tell you that it helped me quite a bit in LPN school that I just went through. I am the type that asked the doctor questions all the time, like why did you prescribe that drug, and what kind of rash was that and the doctors I worked for saw the hunger to learn and explained in great detail to me the things that did come up in LPN school. Now granted LPN school was still not easy even haveing that experience but it did help me to understand sometimes what others could not. I have not heard of a program to go from MA to LPN but know that schooling does help a tiny bit and you have a leg up on some of the others! Good Luck to you!

nananurse2 · Oct 8, 2005

Hi everyone I am new to the forum and so GLAD to be here. Maybe someone can give me some advice. I'm a 50 year old woman, who is returning to work as a Medical Assistant. Fortunately I've found a physician's office that will let me start out slowly at brushing up on my skills. Many years ago when my husband was military, I started an LPN program but with only one quarter left till graduation uncle sam required that we make yet another move back to Germany. Three tours in all.
Now my kids are grown and I am wondering if it's too late to go back (of course I'd have to start another program all over again) and complete the nursing program. I really want a license but wonder if I'm too old now to start from scratch. That's why I'm getting my feet wet with working in a physicians back offie.
Does anyone know if it's possible to apply any of my MA training and life experience/skills towards Nursing? Since they have LPN to RN etc. why don't they have an
MA to LPN program? If you look in the classified adds, alot of places even advertise for MA's and LPN's together.
Example: Looking for LPN/MA to work back office at ...........
Ma's are not required to have a license (in Indiana) though we perform a lot of the same duties, and some duties that are more technical in nature than an LPN. PLEASE help out this indy MA:uhoh3: Any suggestions/direction or advice would be great. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my post.

I'm 52 and just started the LPN program in my area. I worked as an MA for 3 1/2 yrs before getting up the confidence to get my license. You go girl! And, since you're 2 yrs younger than me, go get your RN!

It's been an experience being the oldest in the class, but the "girls" have taken me in as an equal and I'm having a blast. Of course, I feel the pressure from these youngsters that seem to learn by osmosis, but I'm up there in the solid A's with them.

My experience in the back office has made it easier in my classes. I'm familiar with medical terminology, anatomy, disease process, meds and dosages....so I don't feel lost. You'll get the hang of fast....so don't delay. Get in a program and enjoy!!!

Rhonda :nurse: to be

PeepnBiscuitsRN · Oct 8, 2005

I started a CMA program as well...I went thru one semester and couldn't register because of a balance on my acct--blah blah blah. Ok so I want to work in a clinc, a peeds clinic espeically. I have oft wondered if I should have just finished the CMA thing. LPN school, I've heard, is like the first year of RN school. (Correct me if I am wrong) but in the time I've been in this LPN program, I've learned WAY more in depth things: pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical surgical, psychiatric...will be doing peeds and OB-GYN. It's WAY harder and more detailed. The skills are quite different too; as a CMA you won't be likely to work in a hospital, whereas an LPN may. So we learn hospital care skills like catheterization etcetera.

It's well worth it to get your LPN; it's an easy bridge to getting your RN, and if you continue to work in a clinic you'll be making 7-10 dollars more than a CMA, for doing the same thing. Some clinics even prefer LPN's over MA's...of course visa versa is true too. If you want to get your RN someday- even if you THINK at SOME POINT you might...do LPN. :balloons:

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2005

:yeahthat: This is a very good summary of it all!!!!!

I started a CMA program as well...I went thru one semester and couldn't register because of a balance on my acct--blah blah blah. Ok so I want to work in a clinc, a peeds clinic espeically. I have oft wondered if I should have just finished the CMA thing. LPN school, I've heard, is like the first year of RN school. (Correct me if I am wrong) but in the time I've been in this LPN program, I've learned WAY more in depth things: pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical surgical, psychiatric...will be doing peeds and OB-GYN. It's WAY harder and more detailed. The skills are quite different too; as a CMA you won't be likely to work in a hospital, whereas an LPN may. So we learn hospital care skills like catheterization etcetera.
It's well worth it to get your LPN; it's an easy bridge to getting your RN, and if you continue to work in a clinic you'll be making 7-10 dollars more than a CMA, for doing the same thing. Some clinics even prefer LPN's over MA's...of course visa versa is true too. If you want to get your RN someday- even if you THINK at SOME POINT you might...do LPN. :balloons:

indyMA · Oct 8, 2005

Thanks everyone for all the GREAT advice. Yes I know the CMA and LPN perform different roles, and all about the educational differences. Yes the LPN program is in more depth. However they do perform some of the same very basic skills as well. The MA's duties are mostly all technical, where as the LPN and beyond are true nursing . I know it varies from office to office, perhaps state to state too, but I am wondering what the average salary is for an LPN working in a physicians office.

Thanks again everyone!! I appreciate any and all words of wisdom. Soo much to consider. THANKS for the info.

:yeahthat: This is a very good summary of it all!!!!!

Darlene K. · Oct 8, 2005

Thanks everyone for all the GREAT advice. Yes I know the CMA and LPN perform different roles, and all about the educational differences. Yes the LPN program is in more depth. However they do perform some of the same very basic skills as well. The MA's duties are mostly all technical, where as the LPN and beyond are true nursing . I know it varies from office to office, perhaps state to state too, but I am wondering what the average salary is for an LPN working in a physicians office.
Thanks again everyone!! I appreciate any and all words of wisdom. Soo much to consider. THANKS for the info.

I worked as a medical assistant before becoming an LPN. I had to start from scratch, but the experience as a medical assistant certainly helped me. There are more opportunities for you (at least salary wise) if you get your LPN and even more if you get your RN. So go for it, you can do it!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2005

When I worked as a LVN in an office I made somewhere around 17/hr. I dont really know the going rate because I work in LTC now and this was about 5 years ago.

Thanks everyone for all the GREAT advice. Yes I know the CMA and LPN perform different roles, and all about the educational differences. Yes the LPN program is in more depth. However they do perform some of the same very basic skills as well. The MA's duties are mostly all technical, where as the LPN and beyond are true nursing . I know it varies from office to office, perhaps state to state too, but I am wondering what the average salary is for an LPN working in a physicians office.
Thanks again everyone!! I appreciate any and all words of wisdom. Soo much to consider. THANKS for the info.