Medical Assistant Or LPN?

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Hello All, I am new to this site and happy that I found it. I am currently in a accelerated Medical Assistant program in Indiana. I have been in the program for about 3 months but now I am seriously thinking about trying to transfer the few credits I have and going into the LPN program. Has anyone worked as a MA and is now a LPN? I'm wondering what the differences are? I know MA's work mainly in doctors offices and LPN's in hospitals. MA's draw blood, do LPN's draw blood as well? Who makes more money? Any info will be appreciated as I need to make this decision before the next semester starts (may 30)

Thanks!

They will tell you anything. My school said job placement well that was a BIG lie. They only start at about 9-10.00/Hr. in NY state where I am at.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

Salary comparison in my area (Boston,MA):

RN 25th percentile $60,059, median salary $65,000, 75th percentile $71,000

LPN 25th percentile $39,000, median salary $41,000, 75th percentile $44,000

MA 25th percentile $29,000, median salary $32,000, 75th percentile $35,000

The nursing salaries are not counting shift diff. CMA may be a great profession, but it doesnt pay!

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I also went through MA school and I can honestly say aside from my externship I have not worked a single day as a MA. My job that I worked during MA school payed me more than I would have made being an MA so for me it wasn't worth leaving my current job. It did drive my abition of being a nurse even more, but basically it was a waste of time and money. I spent 10 months and could be nearly a year further along and be apply to nursing school already. Oh well live and learn I guess. One thing though, when I signed up for the school I was told that credits DO transfer and when I went back to college to pursue nursing NONE of my credits transfered.

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I agree with all of the posts, MA's make horrible money, here in CA, barely min wage. I am doing a CNA/HHA program at a comm. college (fees approx: $ 600.00) and I will be paid more ($ 13.00) than my cousin, who just graduated from a MA prog, at the cost of over $9,000. And they didn't test her BCLS/CPR for over 4 months afterward! Just go for your LPN, it'll start you off better. Good luck.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

CMA is a very rewarding job, if you can find a position. My cousin is a CMA and was able to secure a job in a wonderful pediatrician's office. But she works her butt off and she is paid $9/hr. Meanwhile, she works with two LPNs and an RN. The LPNs do the injections and paperwork, the RN does the administrative work and the procedures that are out of the LPN scope. The LPNs start off at $14.63, which isn't great money but is a heck of a lot better than $9...especially when the CMAs are responsible for setting up the rooms, doing the labs, etc., etc. She loves her job. It has a lot of responsibility and it is fulfilling. But this is all she will be able to do. Work in a doctor's office making an unliveable wage. I wouldn't say that she wasted her time or money because she learned a lot and she does have a career. It works for her, and that is what is important. You have to do what works for you. I am a strong believer that one must look inside themselves and find the best solutions for their own situations. I am an LPN pursuing both my RN and my health administration degrees. I had to do LPN first because that opportunity presented itself and that was the path the Lord for me. I hope you come up with an answer that will benefit you and your family ultimately. If your credits transfer, if there are openings in the LPN program, and if you ultimately want to be a nurse then your only answer is to go with the LPN. If the waiting list is years long, and you need to make money right away...then maybe you need to stay on the path you are already on. OR you can call your local hospital and see if they have any PCT positions available. Those pay ~$12 an hour and will put you through nursing school after a while. I'm no help. Sorry.

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i was a navy corpsman from 1994 to 1997. i worked as an MA from 1997 to 1999. i loved my job, the hours were wonderful, and no weekends or nights were a big plus. BUT, i found myself very limited. i grew tired of checking BP's, getting weights, and dipping urines. i did get to give injections and do EKG's, draw blood and so forth. but then i realized i was living paycheck to paycheck. so i went to LPN school in 2000. now im in RN school and will finish this december (thank god!!!)

i thought that i would be happy just being an LPN, but, again, i found myself living paycheck to paycheck. i do make good money now working weekends while in school, but i work in a LTC facility. that is where they hire most LPN's, in LTC facilities or in clinics.

so yeah i would go the LPN route, or, better yet, the RN route. trust me, youll learn a lot more and feel more "prepared" in the clinical setting with a solid education. good luck in whatever you decide.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

The LPN route. You'll have better luck finding a job.

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The chances of you finding a job making $15-18 as a Medical assistant is slim. If you can get those credit to transfer and can finish an LPN program by only adding a handful of months to your training, get the LPN.

I certainly see how MA's are useful and can be a great stepping stone, but if you have the time and money now, make the leap.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Great advice everyone. My only take on this is that if you are going back to school, go right for the RN and skip the LPN - you will find that this limits your opportunities at a time when you want to expand your horizons.

I was a medical transcriptionist who did the LPN to RN to etc. route

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I asked the MA at my dr's office what she planned to do. She said she was going to be a nurse. Said she does not make any $$.

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I am a MA in CT and make $13 an hour in a private doctors office. That is good but from what I see on the internet and hear from other MA's in other office, I should be getting about $14 or $15 if not more. I am not a LPN but I am a CNA in a hospital and the LPN gets close to $20 an hour. Its almost the same amount of school you need to go to for your MA. Best bet is to go for your LPN. Besides more $$$, you have better hours in a hospital, and you get great benefits. I love working in the private office, but in the long run I prefer the hospital setting. Also I am planning on becoming a RN, so that LPN course sure would have helped..... Good Luck!!!!!

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Great advice everyone. My only take on this is that if you are going back to school, go right for the RN and skip the LPN - you will find that this limits your opportunities at a time when you want to expand your horizons.

I was a medical transcriptionist who did the LPN to RN to etc. route

I am currently in a situation where I am accepted to the LPN program in my school but I really want to do the RN Program. The RN program does not inform you of your acceptance until June 12, and the LPN requires that you register June 5. I am so stuck right now, I don't know what to do. I have been taking pre-reqs for 2 1/2 years now, so I am wondering..... since you did the LPN to RN route ..... would you just wait until you get in the RN program or get the ball rolling ? thanks ;)

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