Medical assistant??? Help please....

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HI!!!

I want to be a nurse, but I also understand there are waits for the schools etc. But what does it take to be a Medical Assistant? I always thought this was just a quick course you could take and I know the pay isn't great but thought around $10-12 /hour. I was thinking about trying that until I got into a nursing school to get some experience etc...but can not seem to find anything about it in Maine, like where to go to school for this this? I am confused? Is a MA just a certificate class or what?? Please help???:idea:

Thanks!!!!!

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I also meant CNA and found that Maine Medical Center will train you for free. That sounds like a good idea.

Was anyone able to work while in nursing school as a CNA?

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CNA training unsually lasts a few months 2 - 4 depending on the program... I think it can even be as short as 6 weeks... You will definitely be able to find work as a CNA. But if you're looking for useful experience for nursing school, I think your best bet is to find work in an acute care setting (hospital).

Medical Assistant programs are usually two year associate degree programs (at SMCC, KVCC and Beal College). I haven't come across any Medical Assistants in a hospital setting. They are usually in Doctor's offices helping with shots, blood draws, vital signs, insurance billing and other stuff.

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

Lots of people work as a CNA during school, but an MA is a whole different amount of schooling. Including administration/office work which has very little to do with nursing. I would highly suggest doing a CNA if you have to work during school. Gives you a little bit of a feel for nursing and gets you used to working with patients. Just my .02

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Thanks you guys! I was getting CNA & MA confused. Thanks for your replies. I think I will try and go for the CNA training and work as a CNA since it make take a long time to get into nursing school, it'll give me an idea of whats to come...

how much to do you think CNA's make per hour? I was guessing arond 10-12$?

:lol2:

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CNA pay depends. In an assistant liveing facility it is usually the lowest, nursing homes you get paid more because you have a harder patient load and more responsibilities. A CNA in the hospital setting is probably the highest paid and out here can make up to 17 dollars/hour after some years of experience.

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Not sure if its of use to you, since you said you meant CNA, but maybe for someone else it will help. I am in school to be an MA, and my school in particular is only 8 months long, and its a diploma program. I thought I'd do it for some basic experience in the medical field before I go into nursing school.

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What is the average pay for a CNA in a hospital and are the hours for a CNA similar to nurses? Like 12 hour shifts, do you get paid more for nights/weekends?

TIA!

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What is the average pay for a CNA in a hospital and are the hours for a CNA similar to nurses? Like 12 hour shifts, do you get paid more for nights/weekends?

TIA!

My friend did per diem CNA work on weekend nights (Fri and Sat) and she made a little over $14.00. She worked at a hospital.

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My friend did per diem CNA work on weekend nights (Fri and Sat) and she made a little over $14.00. She worked at a hospital.

What does per diem mean?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.
What does per diem mean?

Per diem stands for "per day" (I think, in latin, lol) But it means she works as needed on a day by day basis.

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Specializes in OR Nursing Internship.

Hi, I have been working per diem as a CNA while going to school. I work at a facility that seems to always have openings and I have picked my hours. It's worked great for me. I have found that hospitals pay less than the facilty I work at. Also they have more requirements about holidays and at least one weekend a month. I really enjoy the rehab facilities because they seem to go along with med-surg. I learned about CPM and cryocuffs used for total knee replacements. Depending on where you live in maine I would totally recommend the cedars to work at.

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