MA vs LPN-- which one?????

[sheliamd]

If you have to choose one over the other (since I've been told that Medical Assistants are in high demand now) .. Which would be hired faster? Make more money in your place of employment?

[RN34TX]

When I was an LPN/LVN, I was once told by a MA that we were basically the "same thing."

Having never worked in a clinic or Dr's office before, I never was exposed to or actually worked with MA's.

I come to find out later that the reason I never worked with MA's is because they don't work in hospitals or anywhere else but clinics and Dr's offices.

When I later spoke with nurses who worked in clinics they laughed that the MA referred to us as the same.

Not to downgrade MA's, but if it truely takes just as much time as LPN training, there are definitely more work options and a wider scope of practice. Why would anyone do the MA program?

Also, for future advancement, I have yet to hear of any MA to RN program. There are, however, plenty of LPN to RN and BSN programs.

And as an RN who used to be an LPN, employers DEFINITELY respect and value LPN experience over the new RN who used to be a waitress or cashier.