Medical Assistant

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Mar 23, 2008

Most programs are about 2 semesters. Yes you would need hands on training. Medical Assisting does not pay well, if you need the job for money I would say go into nursing, if you just want to get out of the house and your husband makes good money, go for it. I was making 9/hr without benifits when I left my CMA job to start nursing school and I had been working for five years in the same office.

kat von b · Mar 23, 2008

i currently work as a certified medical assistant have been for about 3 years. i'm now waiting on a (hopefully) acceptance letter into nursing school but i went to school for about 9 months at night through one of those trade schools but a lot of community colleges offer the program as well. i get paid $14/hr and the benefits are great. i think it all depends where you get a job etc.

CNAinNeb · Mar 23, 2008

If you are the short training program is what is attracting you to MA, I would try to get into an LPN program instead, since it is the same amount of time. It is often more challenging, but I don't think you will regret your decision. As an MA, you would be more limited to what you can do, most MA's work in doctor's offices and some in hospitals. An LPN can work in nursing homes, psychiatric centers, prisons, rehab centers, and occasionally in hospitals.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 23, 2008

I would look into the programs, and do not choose one that is horribly expensive, see if community colleges offer the course ( it is usually cheaper, there). I hear that many MA graduates have a hard time finding jobs. If this is true in your area, I would not like to see you waste close to $14,000 or even more to either not get a position or the pay is so low that you have difficulty repaying a loan (which most of these programs try to get people to do).

I say to go the LPN route, also. One of the things that you have to consider, though, is that most nursing programs are highly competitive, asking for an entrance exam, and/or high GPAs in the pre-requisites to enter into their nursing programs. If you think that you have weaknesses anywhere, such as math, science, etc...consider taking adult education classes to bring you up to speed. That's what I had to do to get into an LPN program. Good luck!