Medical Assistants

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I am thinking about going back to school to become a medical assistant so that I can have a stepping stone of getting into healthcare. After becoming a medical assistant, my ultimate goal is to either go forward and become a LPN or RN. The question I have is, does anyone know how much medical assistants make.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I am thinking about going back to school to become a medical assistant so that I can have a stepping stone of getting into healthcare. After becoming a medical assistant, my ultimate goal is to either go forward and become a LPN or RN. The question I have is, does anyone know how much medical assistants make.

Why not go to RN or LPN school to begin with? Why use a stepping stone. MA's make alittle more than minimum wage and you won't be considered a "nurse" that would be illegal.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

agree 100% with the above poster... You will have much more opportunities as a nurse.

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Hello nrollins vbmenu_register("postmenu_1082166", true); .

I just got done with MA school and i have a interview at a Ortho office Thursday afternoon. Start pay is $13.00 (Not min wage ). If the LPN program's in your area have a long wait like they do here in the Cleveland area then i would take the MA program untill you can get into the LPN program (i am on a list for the fall). As many on here will tell you, you wont be a "Nurse". But you will learn a lot. For better or worse you will learn somethings in ma school that LPN's do not learn. MA's learn a lot of the office side of the work. We all (RN/LPN/MA) have our duties and places. It isnt a bad choice. A lot of office's and clinics around here are hiring ma's and not lpn's anymore. Some say it is fooling the public. Dont let the arguments with that thinking stop you. I agree with the post about name tag's. We all sould have one with our titles. Be proud of your title and what you know.

John

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agree 100% with the above poster... You will have much more opportunities as a nurse.

I agree with both of you. Do you have any suggestions of anything that I could do in healthcare w/o having any experience right now? I am located in TN and the only school that offers the LPN program that I can get into doesn't start until April 2006.

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You could be a CNA/PCA/tech (whatever your facility calls it)

Red Cross offers CNA certification and some places of employment (mainly nursing homes, though) offer on the job training for aides without experience.

If your goal is nursing, I would go this route over becoming an MA

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You could be a CNA/PCA/tech (whatever your facility calls it)

Red Cross offers CNA certification and some places of employment (mainly nursing homes, though) offer on the job training for aides without experience.

If your goal is nursing, I would go this route over becoming an MA

Does American Red Cross offer CNA classes on an ongoing basis?

Also, who would I need to talk to at a nursing home facility to find out about on the job training to become a CNA?

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Does American Red Cross offer CNA classes on an ongoing basis?

Also, who would I need to talk to at a nursing home facility to find out about on the job training to become a CNA?

Red Cross does offer CNA classes ongoing - just call your local office and they will set you up with the info. I am thinking it is either 6 or 8 weeks.

To find out about OJT training for CNA at a nursing home, the best person to speak with would be the director of nursing (DON). If s/he were not in charge of this, s/he would at least know who to direct you to - rather than being shuffled from person to person and no one knowing what to tell you.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
You could be a CNA/PCA/tech (whatever your facility calls it)

Red Cross offers CNA certification and some places of employment (mainly nursing homes, though) offer on the job training for aides without experience.

If your goal is nursing, I would go this route over becoming an MA

I am in TN also. You could check with the various nursing homes because most of them offer CNA classes. (6 wks) While you're working as a CNA you can be taking your A&P, Mirco, Psychology, History, English Comp etc so that by the time you can get into nursing school you will have only the nusing left to focus on.

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I am in TN also. You could check with the various nursing homes because most of them offer CNA classes. (6 wks) While you're working as a CNA you can be taking your A&P, Mirco, Psychology, History, English Comp etc so that by the time you can get into nursing school you will have only the nusing left to focus on.

Where did you attend nursing school in TN? I am located in Nashville. I have taken a couple of classes at MTSU but I am not sure if I want to complete the program there.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Where did you attend nursing school in TN? I am located in Nashville. I have taken a couple of classes at MTSU but I am not sure if I want to complete the program there.

I was an LPN for 26 years and then went through Excelsior to get my RN. I graduated at age 46. That's been 3 years ago I wish I had done it much much sooner! I loved it and am enjoying opportunities as an RN.

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What is the difference between a CNA and a MA?

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