Question about CMA (Certified Medical Assistants)!!!!

NeosynephRN · Jul 19, 2008

Honestly around here the CMA's get about 10-11 dollars an hour. Have you considered going LPN-RN instead...most CMA courses do not count for credit going on to your RN...just a thought.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

:welcome: Welcome to our forums.

I completed a CMA (certified medical assistant) program 8 years ago in Southern California, and was never able to find a job with my certificate. Apparently, the Southern CA job market was flooded with CMAs.

In my area, CMAs earn between $8.50 and $12 per hour. Some people may think those pay rates equate to "really good money," but I surely do not.

It would be quicker and cheaper for you to complete a CNA course (certified nursing assistant). You'll be on a similar pay scale as a medical assistant, but receive more exposure to very basic nursing skills. In addition, CNA training takes less than half the time of medical assistant school.

GlaMoUr_GirL · Jul 19, 2008

Well im going to be learning all kind of nursing skills, such as electrocardiogram, phlebotomy, radiology and much more so i think its not that bad for a person that is learning im just really worried but what i have in mind is complete the course and then go to university and they'll transfer my credits there so it will be less time for the RN. My goals are to work in a hospital, can CMA work in a hospital?

me_daffy · Jul 19, 2008

Typically CMAs work in clinics and offices. You will have more exposure to the nursing field by becoming a CNA or LPN. Depending on how long you are willing to go to school. I went to school for my MA it took me a year and a half. After graduation I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do. I then went to LPN school (that took a year). I am so much happier as an LPN than I ever would have been as an MA. I make more money, am better prepared for RN school, and the school was less expensive and didn't take as long. I hope this helps.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

My goals are to work in a hospital, can CMA work in a hospital?

Under most circumstances, no. The medical assistant's training is geared toward employment in a doctors' office or clinic. MAs rarely get hired at hospitals.

On the other hand, CNAs (certified nursing assistants) are employed in hospitals all the time.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Jul 19, 2008

I guess it all comes down to what you want to do. If you are wanting to become a nurse I would say go the LPN route. I used to be a CMA and I feel I gained alot of expierence that really helped me with the nursing program. I did however have to repeat all my pre-regs since non of what I had already done would transfer to the nursing program.

To gain a better understanding of medical assistants you can visit the American Association of Medical Assistants web site.

www.aama-ntl.org

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide!!

CNA_Timmy · Jul 19, 2008

This seems to come up a lot on these boards. I recently filled out a "find a school for you" form and have been bombarded by tons of these for profit colleges. I put down I was interested in nursing as a profession, however they all call to tell me about their medical assistant program. They all say it is a step in the direction towards nursing. They tell me about learning EKGs and drawing blood! I usually counter with I took a 3 week class to become a CNA for 300 bucks, and the hospital I work trained me to do EKG and blood draws for free. When it comes down to it as a CMA you learn to do the things that UAP's can do... then look for a job being 15,000 bucks in debt that pays you 9.50 an hour (not sure about everyone, but that is the case with a friend of mine). Hospitals prefer to hire CNAs becuase they work under the floor nurses license, and a CMA would have to work under an MDs license. Seriously save yourself the money and take a CNA course... apply for an LPN school, or heck do what I wish I had done and start taking your RN pre-reqs now so you will be able to be admitted sooner than later. Only go to a regionally accredited school, state accredited and nationally accredited school credits will not transfer to a university (so do not go to Kaplan, ITT, Everest, Lincoln Tech, pretty much anything that heavily advertises on day time TV if you want your credits to transfer). I know I am ranting, but I see a chance to save someone from the mistakes I have already made and really want to let you know what I found out the hard way. Stick to your local community college or university! They are hard to get into, but well worth it.

Smokey9283 · Jul 19, 2008

I would recommend doing the CNA. CMA credits will not transfer to a University towards RN classes. You will have to repeat courses and relearn skills you may already know. I you want to become a LPN that would be more worth your while, in my area LPN's make $15 - $16 dollars/ hour starting out. Don't be fooled though, LPN school is very demanding as is any nursing school.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 20, 2008

You can obtain much of that same training if you find a CNA course that includes seperate classes in phlebotomy and EKG; in fact, that would equate to what CMAs do in private practice and some have gotten hired in doctor's offices as well. And, it would be cheaper. Some nursing programs mandate their students to obtain their CNA anyhow, and may not accept the medical assisting training as an equivilant.

MeJane19 · Jul 20, 2008

Go to college and get your RN while you're young and you can. Once you get married and have children it becomes much more difficult. MA's make very little compared to RN's. If you get your RN and work for a year on a med/surg floor you can then do travel and or agency work for $30-$40 an hour. My friend has been an RN for 3 years and she makes $40 an hour working PRN and a local university hospital. Go for it girl!

CNA_Timmy · Jul 20, 2008

You should also keep in mind that CNA class teaches you things that actually relate to nursing... transfers, hygiene, basic patient care, rather than basic patient procedures. I know the school I am starting in the fall gives credit for CNAs so we do not have to take "Fundamentals of Nursing" the first nursing class offered.