Medical Assistant degree

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I have been told it's a waste of time, there are no jobs, and schools are just trying to get you in their programs to make money. I'm still trying to decide between CNA/LPN/MA and medicl assistant I can literally start next week and they'll take my credits from another school and I can FINALLY have my assioates. Is it worth it? I've looked at jobs in the local area and there are some. Not a ton, but the director of the program said there are many jobs for her students. Should I do it??

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

What is the profit status of the school? Many times, those of for profit schools and also some of the non-profit schools will tell prospective students anything to get them paying tuition. As an example, look at what just happened with Corinthian Colleges and the effects on 16,000 students. Instead, research the job market for yourself- how many open positions and how many expected graduates? How much is the program going to cost? Research what the experts say about how much student loan money should be taken out compared to how much salary you can expect to make in a year. Don't rely just on the information provided by the entity that is looking to sell a product.

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There are jobs available, I have found them. But I'm not sure how many jobs are out there compared to how many will graduate the program each quarter. It seems like CNA jobs are in major abundance here.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

As your screen name implies, if you want to be a midwife I would go the nursing route.

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I wish I could go the nursing route right now, but for multiple reasons I can't. I can start a MA progam like next month though if I want, but it is pricey.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I wish I could go the nursing route right now, but for multiple reasons I can't. I can start a MA progam like next month though if I want, but it is pricey.

An LVN program is nursing school & it should be less expensive than an MA program. No MA program should be pricey.

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Your best bet is a BSN degree for the RN license. Anything less than that is an expensive compromise. A nursing license is better for you work-wise, but if you are adamant about the medical assistant avenue, then go to a medical assistant program at a community college, where the co-requisite courses for the degree are usable once you decide to pursue nursing. Stay away from the proprietary schools.

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Thanks!!

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I think it all depends on what will make you happy.

If you think you will be happy working as a MA in an office type setting then it might be a way for you to get a job doing something you like while waiting for the right timing to go for your nursing.

The other avenue might be taking a CNA course and getting a job as well. There are more areas and job opportunities around for CNAs as well.

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I'd like to do CNA, but I need to come up with the money to do it since they don't offer assistance for payments. There are 29 CNA jobs open at my local hospital right now!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I completed a medical assistant program 15 years ago and was never able to secure a MA position that actually paid a living wage. However, my nursing education has had a wondrous return on investment.

Medical assisting is the most graduated occupational program in America. Many employment markets are flooded with inexperienced MAs who compete to get jobs that offer no sort of advancement opportunities whatsoever.

I would avoid becoming a medical assistant if you want to be a nurse. Medical assisting is part of the medical model of care provision, whereas nursing follows the nursing model of care provision. It is like comparing apples and oranges.

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Specializes in hospice.
I'd like to do CNA, but I need to come up with the money to do it since they don't offer assistance for payments. There are 29 CNA jobs open at my local hospital right now!

Many community colleges offer CNA education and you might be able to get financial aid. That will usually take you a whole semester.

I went to a private for-profit school that offered very quick training programs. Full time day program was only three weeks, evening program four weeks, and the weekend-only program I did took six weeks. It cost $1000 and included books, uniform top, BP cuff, cheap stethoscope, and TB test. State fingerprint card and testing fee were separate. You have to be careful with that kind of school, but I researched it carefully before signing up. Always look them up on the Better Business Bureau, check their first-time pass rate on the state certification test, and look up their status on the BON website.

The Red Cross offers CNA training in many places too. Look around.

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