Should I become a CNA OR MA?

napswithcats, ADN, CNA, RN · Jun 11, 2019

I chose to be a CNA during nursing school because

1. To get into the nursing program I wanted, I needed a minimum of 6 months of healthcare related experience so I needed something FAST and the CNA program was only 22 business days long.

2. The program was dirt cheap at $200

3. Everyone in my group got hired at the first facility they applied in. If you don’t like where you work, you have PLENTY of options.

Overall it was the best decision I ever made. It is HARD and humbling work but it was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

When you are an RN, you will still have to do all the “dirty work”, change diapers, clean poop, lift heavy pt’s, transfers, EVERYTHING a CNA does as hospitals are drastically cutting down on CNA’s and some units don’t have any. There is an entire set of labs in nursing school dedicated to ADL’s. And trust me, poop...poop smells good and is a lot less gross than some of the other things you will have to deal with as a nurse.

If you cannot handle “dirty”, if you cannot handle a little heavy lifting, if you cannot handle demanding and difficult patients, if you do not know how to prioritize, if you do not develop time management skills, you are going to have a really hard as a nurse.

Neo Soldier, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2019

9 hours ago, napswithcats said:
and the CNA program was only 22 business days long.
2. The program was dirt cheap at $200

if you don't mind my asking, where did you take this CNA program?

napswithcats, ADN, CNA, RN · Jun 12, 2019

6 hours ago, Neo Soldier said:
if you don't mind my asking, where did you take this CNA program?

In San Diego, it’s part of my local community college’s Continuing Education for adults.

Jeanette Grosso · Jun 16, 2019

Becoming a CNA was the best decision ever

PediatricMA · Jun 17, 2019

Seems i stand corrected, its seems like a lot of people have had really good experiences as a CNA on here. The experiences I had were horrible, loved the residents and patients but thats about it. Anyways what ever you choose good luck ?

lee1994 · Jul 22, 2019

I think it depends on what your overall goal is. If you want to finish your nursing education at the BSN, then stick to the CNA certification. If you want to go higher, go the MA route.

I earned my MA certification on the job. It takes longer to find such a gig, but it's worth it. The schedule it better, the job is more interesting and works much more closely with the provider.

Dani_Sanchez777 · Aug 30, 2019

Hi there! ? I've been an MA for almost 7 years. My program was 1 year and I know a lot of MA's I work with went to shorter programs. I personally loved being an MA. I worked in almost every single specialty in both front and back offices because my first job was in the float pool at a very well known organization. I spent my last 5 years in Urgent Care and my main duties included vitalizing, rooming, charting allergies, meds, chief complaints and med history. We set up sterile trays, cleaned wounds and did dressing changes, assisted with procedures such as sutures, temp. splinting using devices, administering meds via injection and oral meds, generating referrals, prior auths, and so much more. We did almost everything our nurses did except caths and IV's. My sister in law was a CNA at another well known hospital and the only thing she liked about her job is the need for CNA's was so high that she was approved of a ton of OT which allows for a bigger pay check. My hourly wages were above $25 p/hr plus a per diem differential and night shift differential so I made pretty good money. I also worked in the bay area in CA so our wages were much higher than other areas due to our cost of living being absolutely ridiculous. If you're looking to get some experience on the floor, either professions I'm sure would be fine. I have heard CNA jobs can be a little 'dirty', but you get to experience hands on pt care in a hospital setting and you get to meet and develop relationships with a lot of people on the floor. MA's are usually in an outpatient setting. CNA's also have shorter schooling from my understanding. All in all, I don't think you can go wrong either way. Go with whatever is best for you! Hope this helps some!

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 30, 2019

CNA. My favorite job.

KeepGoingRN · Sep 3, 2019

If I could go back instead of a being CNA while in school I would have been a phlebotomist prior to becoming an RN. Having that skill set as a new grad is so valuable especially when you are new and one of your pt codes/rrt and the physician is yelling stat lab draws to be done under pressure.

Learning how to clean pt and doing CNA tasks can be picked up right away, but in pressure situations lab draws/iv placements will be more valuable than knowing how to clean up a pt.

Queen Tiye, RN · Sep 4, 2019

MA is about the same length as an LVN program, pays way less, and is a saturated market. Doctors higher MAs instead of nurses because they get away with paying them dirt cheap to perform a nurses job. You might like CNA work if you want nursing experience without spending a lot of time and money in a training program. Phlebotomy pays more though, and is easier on the body and mind.

T.TNurse · Oct 10, 2019

The MA programs are long and more expensive than CNA. I see MA is more geared toward becoming an NP, PA, or MD. I did a CNA program for 6 weeks and got a job after. It is all the dirty work but it toughens me so much and helped me in networking with RNs.

heavwhit · Oct 11, 2019

22 hours ago, T.TNurse said:
The MA programs are long and more expensive than CNA. I see MA is more geared toward becoming an NP, PA, or MD. I did a CNA program for 6 weeks and got a job after. It is all the dirty work but it toughens me so much and helped me in networking with RNs.

I want to be an NP after it all but not until I get my BSN and work for a couple of years which is honestly about 6 years from now. so maybe CNA is the best choice? Where were you able to work?