Medical Assistant or Straight to BSN?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jul 1, 2018

The problem with MA is it is less applicable to nursing AND it sort of locks you into clinic hours - which is not flexible for nursing school. MA program is going to cost you money and time- and not really move you towards RN- your ultimate goal.

If I were you, do the ADN, get a job and let your employer help you pay for an RN-to-BSN program while you bring home RN wages.

mackenstadtb · Jul 1, 2018

it sounds like your pretty set on being in the medical field but have you every worked in a clinical setting?

I became a MA first to see if it was a good fit. I have been a MA for 6 years now and have gained a lot of good experience in multiple different specialties that will help me in nursing school. Because you have done most of your pre reqs you should probably just go for your BSN because most likely your MA courses will not be transferable to a BSN program and the cost of a MA program, at least in Oregon where I am, was around 13,000. I would say as long as you are sure nursing is for you RUN with it and go get that BSN but if your wanting to gain experience in the medical field first becoming a MA is a great choice.

I am applying for a nursing program that starts in November and as a medical assistant I will be working nights and weekends in urgent care. I am lucky enough to have an employer that is willing to work with my school schedule. Best of luck to yo.

caliotter3 · Jul 1, 2018

Your friends promise you an MA job, but I would not take that to the bank. You are better off pursuing a nursing degree from the start. If you want to help your cause, then become a nursing assistant.

111th, ADN, LPN · Jul 1, 2018

If you're looking to get more relevant nursing experience... I think becoming a CNA will get you a lot more exposure and have more flexible hours for nursing school. And at least in Florida....you'd be making close to the same amount of money. I have worked alongside MAs who are fantastic, but the education and thought process is vastly different. You'd likely have some good injection and medication skills but you'd work in an office or urgent care and it would t help a ton if you were to work inpatient later.

If you wanted to spend 8-9 months in a program before becoming an RN, I'd recommend going through an LPN program which is typically 11-12 months. Then you would have great nursing experience and could do an LPN-RN bridge program.

Just my opinion.

FlowerAD · Jul 3, 2018

To "meanmaryjean,"

Thank you for your reply! That's a very great point. I'll have to think about what you said. Thanks, again.

FlowerAD · Jul 3, 2018

it sounds like your pretty set on being in the medical field but have you every worked in a clinical setting?
I became a MA first to see if it was a good fit. I have been a MA for 6 years now and have gained a lot of good experience in multiple different specialties that will help me in nursing school. Because you have done most of your pre reqs you should probably just go for your BSN because most likely your MA courses will not be transferable to a BSN program and the cost of a MA program, at least in Oregon where I am, was around 13,000. I would say as long as you are sure nursing is for you RUN with it and go get that BSN but if your wanting to gain experience in the medical field first becoming a MA is a great choice.
I am applying for a nursing program that starts in November and as a medical assistant I will be working nights and weekends in urgent care. I am lucky enough to have an employer that is willing to work with my school schedule. Best of luck to yo.

Thanks for the advice! I'm about 90% sure on pursuing nursing. The other 10% is mostly fear/anxiety getting in the way. I definitely have a lot to think about.

FlowerAD · Jul 3, 2018

If you're looking to get more relevant nursing experience... I think becoming a CNA will get you a lot more exposure and have more flexible hours for nursing school. And at least in Florida....you'd be making close to the same amount of money. I have worked alongside MAs who are fantastic, but the education and thought process is vastly different. You'd likely have some good injection and medication skills but you'd work in an office or urgent care and it would t help a ton if you were to work inpatient later.
If you wanted to spend 8-9 months in a program before becoming an RN, I'd recommend going through an LPN program which is typically 11-12 months. Then you would have great nursing experience and could do an LPN-RN bridge program.
Just my opinion.

Hey, I truly appreciate your response. I have thought about an LPN program and I'd love to do it. However, the only college that I trust where I live doesn't offer the LPN program anymore. Trust meaning, I dont want to get scammed or anything. There is a trade school that offers it, but they have a tuition of about $20,000 for a 12 month course, and about $6,000 could be paid by Fafsa. The rest would have to be loaned. As far as becoming a CNA, I'll have to rethink that for sure. I'm starting to reconsider the whole MA thing.

PRican, CNA · Jul 3, 2018

You already completed a lot of your core courses so you might as well work on your BSN. However, I do understand that you don't want to work retail during those four years.

I'm kind of on the same boat as you except I already been in the medical field for five years. I started off as a CNA at the nursing home and I now work as a Clinical Care Partner at a major hospital.

I plan on getting the medical assisting certification to get a raise, more skills, and a promotion at my job. There is so much you do with the medical assistant certification in combination of the CNA certification. I only work three days a week(12 hour shifts) and I create my own schedule around school. It is taking me YEARS to get into the nursing program so I think this will help me supplement my income.

I highly suggest you get your CNA. You will gain experience in the medical field and it will open up doors for you. But honestly, you can only decide what is best for you and your current situation. A step forward is still a step forward whether you do medical assistant to RN, LPN to RN, CNA to RN, or straight to BSN. Do what's best for you.

Neo Soldier, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2018

The MA doesn't get you closer to your nursing goals and I don't think the certificate comes cheap.

I'm in my mid twenties too and I'm dying for my independence so I totally understand. But here's the big picture: if you leave without being ready, you will be setting yourself up for failure.

Do your sciences expire after a couple of years? In some schools, after 5 years, you would have to retake A/P and microbiolgy to be eligible.

Get into the program already and don't waste anymore time.

If you want to get closer to nursing then take a CNA course. Look for one that is no longer than a month (avoid ones that are a semester long).

One more recommendation, apply to both BSN and ADN programs and get in where you are offered a spot.

Get your career started.

divmndprincss · Jul 12, 2018

You'd be better off doing a CNA course. I have been an MA for 3 years and it's true, you get locked into clinic hours and it's hard to continue going to school (although possible). Also you don't get any nursing experience where as a CNA course will get you closer to RN, there's flexible hours + experience and you can work in a hospital or nursing home and possibly get hired as an RN once you finish.

RiFig_17 · Jul 15, 2018

I currently work in a doctor's office where I'm one of the few people who aren't an MA. A lot of my coworkers either became an MA for something quick, but others became an MA as a first stop before going into nursing. However, just as other people said they've kind of become stuck. My coworkers often times say they want to go back to school for nursing but just don't have the time. If nursing is really your ultimate goal, go straight for it to prevent you from getting stuck.

Medical Assistant or Straight to BSN?

Medical Assistant or BSN