Short Question? Medical Assistant or Certified Nurse Assistant

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 31, 2012

Neither is a collegiate program. You usually need a bachelor's degree to enter a physician's assistant program, so coursework from neither CNA nor MA will transfer to collegiate programs. That said since PA's work under the medical model of care you'd likely do better with MA as that is also under the medical model of care. Whereas CNA is under the nursing model of care.

maikranz · May 31, 2012

One can become a medical assistant either by diploma (1 year) or Associate of Applied Science (2 years) and depending on your coursework, some courses - General Psych or English Comp for example - will transfer. Nurse Assistant is generally a class that lasts for

12 weeks or so.

RN1485, BSN · May 31, 2012

Usually in a PA program you will need a certain amount of hours in patient care before applying (at least from the ones I've looked into). I would then say go for the CNA program b/c it's cheaper and shorter to get. I also think that CNA's are more likely to get hired than MA's but I guess that's based on the area.

Jessica5792 · Jun 1, 2012

Well as of right now I have a option to go to cna classes july 2 or ma classes sometime this year but it does cost 3,000. Lbcc offer medical assistant ALSO FOR CHEAP but I have to talk to them more about it but ok my question is? Whats the best job as of right now cna or ma? Cnas do the dirty work and ma's only get paid somewhere between 8.50-12perhour and that class is high as hell. Also I keep hearing that its hard to find medical assistant jobs around my area(Los Angeles) and you have to be bilingual. Which I am not!!!.....dont no what to do: do cna and its a cheap class with dirty work no respect and its not a physician pathway......but ma is in the physician pathway(working in a dr.s office) but the class cost alot its 8months-1yr and not really that in demand I DONT NO WHAT TO DO!!!!

Twinkle007, LVN, RN · Jun 1, 2012

So if you know that CNA is a you said "dirty job" and its not a PA pathway than I guess you know the answer better

pinayluv78 · Jun 1, 2012

I loved working as a medical assistant and I did so for 3 years before going back to school. I particularly loved giving injections, doing EKG's, etc. The only problem is that in some places, if you do not speak Spanish, it is hard to find a job. I went to 5 interviews before I found a position where it wasn't required that I speak Spanish...

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jun 2, 2012

It all depends what youre willing to do and not do. If you don't mind cleaning up feces, urine, washing patients up, basically doing a dirty job, then cna BUT, if you want to get into the medical field and dont want to do those things then MA but in my opinion, I wouldnt waste my time doing MA because it is hard finding a job, you can't do overtime, you can only work certain hours, job places are limited to work in, and you pay all that money for a program to not use every last skill that youve learned. I would do MA because the programs are cheaper (although you would have to pay outta pocket), shorter, the job market is huge, and you could work morning, middle, or night shift but good luck.

RedhairedNurse2Be · Jun 3, 2012

MA programs are expensive but you learn more. My MA program was 9 months, plus a six week externship that the school set up for me In my area CNA programs are cheap ($600-900) and last 3-6 weeks depending where you go. They set up your clinicals but it usually in a LTC or Assisted Living. Both programs are helpful in different ways. The choice is yours.

Jessica5792 · Jun 8, 2012

still to this day i dont no what to choose im just worried that if i becoma a ma i wont get work and the pay is low and cnapay is low to wait is it?.....idk what to really get into

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 8, 2012

Depends on where you want to work. CNAs assist nursing staff in nursing homes and hospitals. MAs usually work in doctors offices. Both are entry level jobs that don't offer significant pay.