Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant

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Hey Everybody,

I'm considering pursing a medical assistant degree or a CNA and I was wondering if someone with a little experience could enlighten me as to what the pros and cons of each are. I've been "warned" that the CNA position involves a lot of patien cleaning and what not, and i would like to hear somebody's opinion on that.

Thanks!

Chris

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Specializes in ED.

MA's work under the direction of a physician and pretty much only work in doctors offices. CNA's work in long term care or hospitals under the supervision of nurses. As a CNA, you could go on to nursing school if you are wanting to do that. A lot of nursing school's require CNA certification before starting. Also, if you do the MA class, it wont be good for much of anything if you decide later on thats not what you really want to do.

These are very different roles, so it really depends on what your long term goals are and what you are specifically interested in doing. I'm not sure how long an MA course lasts, but you can do a CNA class a few nights a week and be done in a couple months. Or you could do it in a few weeks if you go all day, every day.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Yep, the CNA roles that I've observed in LTC and acute care definitely "involves a lot of patien cleaning and what not." Along with feeding, patient cleaning is one of the primary activities although they do take vital signs and assist with ambulation of some patients.

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As a CNA with 5 years experience, I can tell you that my job is SOOO not fun. I wished I would have gone the MA route because they get to do so much more than a CNA. The trouble is, there aren't as many job prospects for MA'a as there are CNA's. But if you are patient, I am sure the MA route will pay off.

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Specializes in med-surg.

SDMamma, what is it you don't like about being a CNA? I'm about to enroll in a CNA program and would like your perspective on what I'm getting into...

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CNA is a great entry point to nursing. The job prospects are great.

CNAs are in nursing homes, rehab centers, hospitals and homes. Technically, a doctor could also use a CNA in a doctor's office.

MAs are only in the doctor's office. There aren't nearly as many positions available for MAs as CNAs.

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SDMamma, what is it you don't like about being a CNA? I'm about to enroll in a CNA program and would like your perspective on what I'm getting into...

Well, the patients are great, but the patient to cna ratio is awful. At my first hospital job on the 3-1130pm shift, the ratio was 14 pts to 1 cna, and that was because we did not have to give baths. After a year and a half I moved to day shift, 7am-330p, and my patient load went down to 11, but I was required to give 9 baths and do all the vitals q4 (every 4 hours), set us for new admissions, build trapezes for the ortho pts., not to mention making the beds for all my patients.

Now I work 12 hour shifts, 7a-730p and that work is even more compounded because it never ends. Then theres all the menial little tasks the RN's dream up for you. Walk this patient around the unit, take so and so for a smoke (even though I can't stand the smell and we are technically a smoke free hospital) fill up the blanket warmer, make the coffee (please).....

So its alot of little stuff and feeling like I never have enough time to do it all for each patient. I want to spend more time with each patient, but frankly when you have umpteen beds to make, baths to give, and patients to feed, reposition on a q2-4hr schedule, its alittle hard.

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