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??

Red kryp. Gave great areas you might find more affordable places to taking your CNA.

I was able to take mine through my hh agency. It was great because I worked for them as an aide and was able to make the money for the class that was 6 months after I started working for them. Now I still work for them but have my CNA

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Specializes in ICU.

It sounds like you are looking at a for profit college. Do not go to one of those please. They offer high prices for their "quick" results. They pay their used car salesman people in the admissions office lots of money to sell their product. It's usually a complete waste of money where you will have a useless degree at the end, with no job prospects, and a huge loan payment due. Take your time, research your options, and pick what is right for you.

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

Red kryp. Gave great areas you might find more affordable places to taking your CNA.

Furthermore, some nursing homes offer free CNA training and certification to people who are willing to work for them for a predetermined amount of time (usually six months) after graduation.
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The CNA course is $850. Normally no big for hubby and I, except that we just gutted out bathroom and need to re-build it. Mold caused our shower tile to fall in. Gotta love buying a house and not knowing what to exect with it! I think CNA is probably the right route for me.

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Good course of action. Some nursing programs require CNA, others grant points in the admissions process for having CNA certificate, and you can always get a job. Much better employment prospects than with medical assisting.

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Well that is not to bad for a CNA class. Just keep trying to save up, and try to keep eyes and ears out for other opertunities such as a PP suggested about LTCs giving free CNA classes

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im a MA and I work at a hospital and make 17hr .. been there for 6 years however my title is pct which you can get hired with 3 day cna certificate. I make more than others. go for RN donot waste time for ma. good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, HH, and Case Mangement.

I was a MA before I got into nursing. It took me awhile to get a job. I worked at a small family practice for about 5 years. I then decided to pursue nursing after some staff left after a horrible spat with the doctor. He was an &^% at times and very difficult to deal with. I think that's why my skin is so tough. It was never the same after that. So I got my LPN and was able to move on. I was only making like $11 an hour. I started at like 9 something. Now I am making double that as a HH nurse and I graduate in June with my ADN. I have two friends that went for MA and they don't work as one. I think it was a waste for them. I guess it really depends how motivated you are and how the job market is. Make sure you check it out and try to shadow a MA a few times to make sure you really want to go for it. Good luck!

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I'm thinking for me an MA isn't worth the money. Keiser is trying to tell me how many jobs they have and they need to fill them with MAs. I think CNA is much more my speed. I KNOW they have those jobs available. Thanks everyone!

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With the LPN, you can bridge to a RN Program in the future. You can not with MA or CNA. I was a medical assistant for ten years, there are many jobs out there and I had a great once with good pay. I started at 11.00 and left making over 18. Not all places are like that. It is not a waste of time, the field is growing and gaining respect and the title is now being acknowledged and protect due to Government and CMS requirements, meaning hiring and training people who have not completed medical assistant in school is slowly going to come to an end.

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