Published Jan 9, 2013
RachelLT81612
3 Posts
I just enrolled to Brown Mackie College for their CMA diploma program; i have all kinds of people telling me i mad a bad choice & cma is a bad field & brown Mackie is a bad school. Im really confused now & don't know what to do because everyones scaring me out of my decision && i start classes Thursday.
Jhely06182009
45 Posts
Hi! You don't have to go to college to take CNA/CMA. For me it's a waste of time and money.It took me only a few weeks to learn both.
NLOPEZBR
11 Posts
I agree with the comment above some community colleges offer CNAs at a better price
What is the length of the course at brown mackie college?
Its 15 months. I've already signed up && got my financial aid signed for
It's tooooo long but you can't do otherwise.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
How much is your tuition? Trade schools are known for outrageous tuition and expensive fees. CMA programs at local community colleges offer the same education for less than half the cost.
I completed a CMA program nearly 13 years ago and never managed to find a job as a medical assistant. For me, it was a waste of time, money and effort.
esand
76 Posts
The course I attended was 13 days long + 2 days of clinicals and $500...
thelittledoe
125 Posts
In NJ as a CMA (certified medication assistant) you can only dispense meds at assisted living homes. Otherwise I would just go the route of CNA. There are more job opportunities but less pay. HOWEVER, now that I see you mentioned you are signed up for financial aid, if they are paying for school then go for it.
Please clear one thing up for me: are you taking about MA (medical assistant) or CMA (certified medication assistant)? There is a vast difference between the two and I think if you provide this information you may get different answers.
Oh crap, I thought she typed CNA, LMAO. I was appalled, because my course for CNA was 13 days. Wow, sorry for the confusion, OP. ^_^
ni_col
5 Posts
My personal opinion... Go to school for LVN, you'll learn CNA work your first month and can take the test to get certified, work as a CNA while you go to school for LVN. CNA's unfortunately do all the dirty work, all the time. I just finished LVN schooling and am prepping for the state boards. I didn't become a CNA because I didn't want to be cleaning feces, changing beds and all the grunt work all the time. Yes as an LVN, I am responsible for this and will have to do this sometimes but this is not my assignment day in and day out. As a LVN, and one day a RN, I will have greater opportunity to move around and the pay is definitely better.
DON'T PAY AN EXTREME COST FOR CNA! You can take a class at a community college or something for that.
She means " certified medical assistant"...