Edie618

Hi, I am not actually in the program yet but I am planning on going to Harper College which is a community college. The tuition is 200% more than the regular $98/credit tuition but it is still far less than a private school would charge. It is a two year f/t, daytime program once you are in the actual Cardiovascular Technologist program. I am now taking the pre-requisites and will need to take the NLN entrance exam. Cardio Techs earn very good money, the average earns $58,000 a year. Hope that helps and no problem!

I am really happy to read this reply in regards to CNA or CMA as I just posted a question on this myself and was wondering what route to take while studying to become a Cardio Technologist. I know CMA will take me 6 months with this one school I found in my area and I'll only be taking 1 class from my pre-reqs for the cardio but I do believe that I'll be doing something I'll enjoy more as a CMA then if I take a much quicker route of 10 wks as a CNA. I especially don't want to work in a retirement home taking people to potty, change them, wipe them, feed them etc. and that is probably why I just wouldn't be good if I were to choose to become an LPN or RN later on. Thanks a lot for your post as I am pretty sure I will just take those 6 months and go for the CMA :)!

Hello, I am having a hard time figuring out if I should work as a CNA (cert. nursing ast.) or as a CMA (cert. medical ast.) on a part time basis while I'm taking pre-reqs and waiting to enter into a CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST program? Once in the program, it is a 2 years, daytime, f/t program. CNA would be nice and quick and I would most likely work at a retirement home for 6mnths-1yr and then would hope to work in a hospital as CNA. I found a quick 6 months school I could also choose and would get money to finish for practically free and would just work in a DR's office hopefully at hospital or if not at a medical office somewhere. I just really wonder if it is worth it to use that grant towards my MA or just save it for when I'm in the cardio tech program? I also wonder if perhaps I would really make the same exact money as a CNA as I would being CMA? (I think CNA, (like my SIL, pays about $10/hr while CMA would pay about $11-12/hr). BUT, here is my real fear!!!! WILL I OR WILL I NOT be able to get a job as an MA here in CHICAGO with no experience? Note: I am a single Mom with 2 school aged boys and would need to work daytime p/t and could possibly do some Saturdays! Do any of these two choices even offer benefits? Any thought or help is more than greatly appreciated!

I do live in the central north America, Illinois and so that might be why I have been seeing MA jobs listed for hospitals. Thanks for pointing out that my location is also making such a difference :-). Yes, I was thinking of possibly pursuing an LPN certification if I notice that I don't faint from just drawing blood...lol...and perhaps will start liking doing more in depth work with patients rather then vitals and such. I wish you the best with your LPN and hope you'll soon be working in your dream job!!!

sorry, i am not sure what class you are referring to that does not qualify to the national exam? could you tell me what you mean? thanks.

Thanks everyone for your answers. To>junebugfairy & syost

Hi everyone, I have been loosing sleep over which route to take 1st in order to lend my 1st healthcare job in a hospital? I believe that a CNA would have to work in a nursing home for a while before being hired in a hospital just like my SIL is working. She tried getting a hospital job with her CNA but everyone told her she needed experience in a nursing home first. Is this most often the case or could a fresh CNA get a hospital job? How about if I get my CMA, could I just get a job in a hospital or would I need something more like, EMT(emergency med. tech.)? I am already decided on becoming a medical assistant because I found a quick school that allows me to sit for the state exam but I still wonder if I should take those 10 weeks before and just get my CNA as well or maybe an EMT in order to be able to get a hospital job. I also wonder if I do get a hospital CMA job, will I have to work night hours and weekends? If yes, I think I better skip hospitals and just work in a dr's office since I'm a single Mom with little kids...but I desire a hospital daytime job. Am I wrong to have such desires, am just dreaming ?