Ranking Order.

pricklypear · Jun 7, 2005

I'll do my best - some may not agree!!

CNA/Medical assistant *

LPN/LVN

RN

Physician Assistant

* I found out recently that some MAs actually have 2 year degrees in medical assisting. CNAs do not. They do a lot of the same things, but CNAs work in the hospital/nursing home setting, while MAs work in clinics. Some MAs draw blood and give injections also, which CNAs do not. So, I guess depending on the education level of the individual it could go either way.

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

See, I think the MA would fall under the PA, who falls under the MD, who falls under some Chief physician or something (unless it's a teaching hospital then there's residents, interns, med students, etc).

Nursing is completely separate where the CNA falls under the LVN, who falls under the RN, who - while they work independently under their own license - they are "managed" by a nursing supervisor or manager, who falls under the DON or CNO - NOT managed by anyone associated with an MD (eg: PA).

Make sense?

I think that if you go by education though it would be like post #2, but not always as many RN's have additional education equal to or beyond the PA.

pricklypear · Jun 7, 2005

See, I think the MA would fall under the PA, who falls under the MD, who falls under some Chief physician or something (unless it's a teaching hospital then there's residents, interns, med students, etc).
Nursing is completely separate where the CNA falls under the LVN, who falls under the RN, who while they work independently they are "managed" by a nursing supervisor or manager, who falls under the DON or CNO - NOT managed by anyone associated with an MD (eg: PA).
Make sense?
I think that if you go by education though it would be like post #2, but not always as many RN's have additional education equal to or beyond the PA.

begalli! You usually make so much sense, but ya lost me here! Are you ranking a MA above an RN?? My list was from lowest to highest.

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

Are you ranking a MA above an RN??

Nope.

The two are not comparable.

Nursing is nursing.

Medical is medical.

So they must be separated.

MA's work under a physician's license. So do PA's.

CNA's work under both an LVN's (or wait, can LVN's delegate?) and an RN's license.

RN's trump LVN's when it comes to scope.

Now does it make sense?

Key is that comparing MA or PA (medical) to anything nursing is like comparing apples to oranges.

pricklypear · Jun 7, 2005

Gotcha! I see now. I guess I just tend to lump everybody together. I guess you could draw a parallel between them, but the equivalant to a nurse would be missing in the medical column.

Nursing -----------------------------Medicine

CNA -----------------------------------MA

LPN/LVN

RN

NP (nurse practitioner)------------------PA

Now we're probably making it more complicated than the OP wanted! :rolleyes:

soontobe_RN · Jun 7, 2005

Gotcha! I see now. I guess I just tend to lump everybody together. I guess you could draw a parallel between them, but the equivalant to a nurse would be missing in the medical column.
Nursing Medicine
CNA -----------------------------------MA
LPN/LVN
RN
NP (nurse practitioner)------------------PA
Now we're probably making it more complicated than the OP wanted!

I feel that you both explained it perfectly!!! :)

Jennifer

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

Great visual pricklypear!

I think I would equate an MA more with an LVN though. MA's can be trained to do quite a bit in the doctor's office.

clarification: I'm assuming that MA = Medical Assistant, not Medication Aide.

begalli · Jun 7, 2005

the equivalant to a nurse would be missing in the medical column.

EXACTLY!! :)

We are one of a kind.

Now we're probably making it more complicated than the OP wanted!

Of course!! Nurses are NEVER satisfied with simply scratching the surface, we want to see what's underneath!!

pricklypear · Jun 7, 2005

Great visual pricklypear!
I think I would equate an MA more with an LVN though. MA's can be trained to do quite a bit in the doctor's office.
clarification: I'm assuming that MA = Medical Assistant, not Medication Aide.

:thankya: I had to work really hard at it.

Anyway, about the MA/LVN thing...MAs aren't licenced, LVNs are. LVNs/LPNs can be certified to give IV meds, and can actually administer medication. MAs can never do either. (See, I just think nurses are better). I used to think of MAs as, well, someone who wears scrubs...but I just had a great conversation with someone here about it. I did not know that there is an AA degree in medical assisting! She says that you don't have to have one to be a MA, and some of them are basically pulled off the street. They don't have to take any kind of boards.

RN_Jen · Jun 7, 2005

Back in the dark ages (70's) I was a certified medical assistant. The training program lasted 12 months. At the end of that 12 months I was qualified to give injections, perform venipunctures, take x-rays, run lab tests (including CBCs w/differential and manual blood cell counts under a microscope), and perform EKGs. MAs should probably fall between the LPN and the CNA in the hierarchy. MAs don't need to be certified, but it is a higher level of achievement....like the difference between an MD and a Board Certified MD. :)

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 7, 2005

Hi, I searched the site and only found info about degrees and schooling, but not about the RANKING order.
Please help me finally put these in order of hierarchy:
Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse LPN/LVN
Registered Nurse RN
Medical Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistant CNA
Physician Assistant
Thank you! :)

My school offers CNA, MA, and RN. CNA (4 month program) MA (2 years Associates Degree) and RN (2.5 ADN)

So, IMO I think: :rolleyes:

PA

RN

LPN/LVN

Medical Assistant

CNA