Ma vs CNA

Trauma Columnist · Aug 8, 2006

Gosh - I may have missed the point but if you want a nursing job as an RN, why not just go straight there? Being a CNA while you are in RN school is also a good goal for an interim job. An MA usually works in a doctor's office and you won't have the flexibility for classes that a CNA has.

suzy253, RN · Aug 8, 2006

Gosh - I may have missed the point but if you want a nursing job as an RN, why not just go straight there? Being a CNA while you are in RN school is also a good goal for an interim job. An MA usually works in a doctor's office and you won't have the flexibility for classes that a CNA has.

My thoughts as well. Can you go straight into an RN program?

ukstudent · Aug 8, 2006

If you want to be an RN then a a MA will help with clinical skills, however if your not too far into the MA program then I would stop. Most of your classes will not transfere to nursing school. You will run up against max number of credits for school loans when going for the RN. As traumaRUs said try and get into a nursing program. If you need to do something quick and work while going to nursing school then a CNA costs less to get, takes less time to get and the pay is about the same as an MA. Only you know how far you have gone in one direction and if it is time to do a U-turn or carry on.:)

Lost in Nebraska · Aug 9, 2006

exactly my point im so confused i make no sense...

i am currently in a program for an associates degree in medical assisting

my goal is to be a registered nurse for either labor and delivery and/or pediatrics.

i am in my second quarter for my AMA at hamilton college lincoln campus

am i going on the wrong track for my goal

should i continue with my AMA finishing with an Associates degree or

Should i quit find a remedial job gather like 400 dollars get my CNA then continue to scc for my ASN?

Which whould be a better choice for me struggling to get by.

Cheyanne

ukstudent · Aug 9, 2006

If L&D is truely where you want to go and money is tight then stop spending it on something that wont get you there. Get your CNA, try and work at the local hospital. You probably wont get into L&D but you might get to work either postpartum or pediatrics. Some hospitals will then help pay for nursing school. CNA's are also used in Doctor's offices (OB/GYN). Good luck in getting to your goal.

If you are in class at the moment make sure that if the credits transfer to the nursing school you wish to go to (need to find this out) that you don't mess up your GPA. In other words , if you have started something and it is going to show up then make sure you get a high grade.

km5v6r, EdD, RN · Aug 10, 2006

Yes, you can go straight to nursing school. Personally I went straight from high school. You don't have to be a CNA or MA. It may help but is not a requirement. Lincoln and Omaha both have a variety of programs. Many of the area nursing homes will also pay for your CNA class. I know it is not where you want to end but it is a beginning. Stop Hamilton college or find out if they offer a CNA program and switch to it. After you have your CNA then find a job at a hospital. All the hospitals in Lincoln and Omaha offer tution reimbursement for employees. Some of the non-hospital programs; such as the dialysis companies; have programs specifically for staff that want to become an RN. They will pay for the program in return for a commitment to work as an RN after graduation. A lot of options exist but to be honest I'm not sure that Hamilton will be totally forthcoming about those options ecspecially if it means you may quit the program and deprive them of your money. Look at where you want to live, research the nursing programs in that area and what the program requirements are and act on it. All of the nursing programs in the Omaha/Lincoln area are on-line.

I live in the Omaha area and am familiar with Lincoln. Write if you have more questions.:typing

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2006

You are doubling your time in school. Because if you are taking your medical assiting course at a community college then some of your classes may transfer but you will probably end up taking more pre-classes then the 2 year nursing courses on top of that. If you are attending a MA school that is not accrediated the same way as the nursing program you want to attend is, your credits will not transfer and you will have to start all over again.. By the time you have done all of this you could have had your BSN. My suggestion is pull out of your MA program .. focus on getting all your pre-classes done and start searching the area for a RN program. I have been a MA and they dont work in the hospitals their main focus is clinic settings. Being a CNA would give you more exposure to nursing and give you some good skills that will help you in nursing school. Plus when I was a CNA I found nurses that were willing to teach you and that really helps. I hope this makes sense.. Good luck to you!!!

sister--* · Aug 11, 2006

tx--------921, Congrats on the bun!:balloons:

clyen · Aug 12, 2006

Having been there and done that, my advice to you would be to stop the MA course and go straight for your RN, whether via BSN or ADN degree. I went to a tech school and took an 18 month course for MA. I worked in a doc's office for a while since as an MA that's what you're trained for. However, when I moved into an area where MAs weren't acknowledged yet, I found myself back in school to obtain my BSN. When I went back, the accrediting sytem was obviously not the same - tech school vs. university/community college, so I had to re-take courses such as A&P, skills, etc as well as my gen-eds for the general education part of the degree. In December, if all goes well, I should have that BSN and look forward :uhoh3: to my NCLEX exam! I'm still paying my loan off since when I went throught the tech school I had to get a non-traditional loan that would not defer with re-enrolling in school. If you need to work while going through school, try and get the money together to get your CNA and work as a CNA while going to school. As a few of those who posted said, the MA will help you with the clinical skills, but the knowledge base you need to be a great RN will have to come from the better school. I don't know how your program is set up, but in mine we had 6 week increments of classes. For example, 6 weeks of A&P, 6 weeks terminology, etc. Comparing the 6 weeks of A&P to a whole semester of A&P for my BSN, there's a vast difference and a lot you do not learn (depending on the program) that will help you along the way with that knowledge base for being an RN. As I said, it's just my opinion, but I would suggest stopping the MA program unless you are content with working at a doctor's office for the rest of your days. If you want to work in the hospital, just go straight for the nursing degree, dear. I learned that the hard way - I should have done this 13 years ago. :bugeyes: If I would have went straight into college to get my RN, I could have been practicing as an RN for roughly 9 years now (I'm 31 - old enough to know better now). :chuckle

I wish you luck whichever way you choose to go. It's a tough decision, and hopefully the replies back you received will help you make the decision that's right for you. Good luck!

natrgrrl · Aug 19, 2006

I would agree with everyone that says to stop MA and get right into your RN program. I am taking classes at Metro in Omaha and taking nursing assistant class at Southeast in Lincoln. After my pre-reqs, I will go to UNMC.

If you want to continue with the MA, check out the school where you want to get your nursing degree. UNMC might have a program you can complete with MA but I have not heard of anyone taking the route to nursing that you are. That doesn't mean it can't be done.

Most important--talk to an advisor at the school where you want to get your nursing degree.

Good luck.

husker-nurse, LPN, LVN · Aug 19, 2006

Hi, neighbor! While I was in school, I went to work between LPN and RN classes (summer) for 6 weeks at a LTC facility; all I had to do was send for my CNA certificate, the DON figured that since I had my LPN, I most likely could do CNA work and she paid for my cert., but I doubt if this post helps you any. The very best to you in your quest for a nursing education!