Ok, here is my view of this debate. First of all, I was a CMA prior to GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, to get my Associates in LPN. During the CMA class time we studied, Medical Law Practices aimed at CMA's, we learned the names and functions of a handful of instruments, to medically assist the Doctor doing a simple procedures, like sutures, I & D's, pap's etc. I had to to take a certification exam. Nonetheless it was an exam of my knowledge in math skills, A & P, administrative and clinical skills. I was taught how to take an EKG on a patient, not read them. I was taught how to perform venipunvtures only. No IV's. (Couldn't beleive a CMA thought she could do this...). I was taught in microbiology and therefore after science labs of looking at organisms and cells,(RBC's WBC w/diff, ua dipstick,etc)I was able to perform and tested out to do SIMPLE procedures. Including VS and abnormals.
I also would like to respond to the ? of why go to MA school (mine WAS accredited, I wouldn't have gone to that school otherwise, I think it's called integrity),versus LPN or RN school. My thought is this, I left a very violent marriage with a child and had to depend on "welfare" while I got my **** together. I couldn't afford to go to an LPN or RN [rpgram at that time. I call it situational choosing, and I have that right! I was hired immediately after graduating and passing my EXAM (certificate), and then carried on to LPN school.(After making some money on my own).
When I worked as a CMA I was allowed in my state under a Doc and report to patients their lab results after the doctor reviewed and told me to call pt to let them know.(Pos or Neg strep throat, doc says U have a UA infection etc,). I beleive that every state has their parameters for a CMA, I chose the clinical side of the MA picture. I also was required to have 13 CEU's per year. I took the same CEU's that maybe an RN or LPN took or directed to them. Why? Cause I love to learn.
I was a **** good CMA. I did my job, I scheduled CT's, MRI's, understood the reasoning and used my skill that I was TAUGHT IN SCHOOL. Just like I use my LPN skills now. A Medical Assistant is not a bad thing, there are some bad Medical Assistants, just like LPN'S, RN's, Doc's etc. I beleive in ethical behaviour no matter what field you are in. I will continue to climb the ladder up towards my RN, in my own time. I'm just sorry too hear about all the bad experiences ya'll have had with MA's or CMA's. Thanks for the vent.
Here in Florida, the LPN course leads to certification and then after passing NCLEX-LPN, the LPN is licensed. No college courses involved, just tech school.
Whereas the RN programs are all college courses that lead to a degree, and after graduation and passing the NCLEX-RN, the RN is licensed.
I think all the diploma programs have been phased out in Florida, although I could be wrong.
I also would like to respond to the ? of why go to MA school (mine WAS accredited, I wouldn't have gone to that school otherwise, I think it's called integrity),versus LPN or RN school.
/quote]
I don't recall any nurses here asking you why you made this choice. But anyway I read your post and you made what was the best decision for you at the time. If you carefully read through all the threads on this subject I don't think you will find any nurse question or belittle someone decision to go to MA school. What you WILL find is nurses questioning the MA schools in regards to cost and lies they tell.
I also would like to respond to the ? of why go to MA school (mine WAS accredited, I wouldn't have gone to that school otherwise, I think it's called integrity),versus LPN or RN school.
/quote]
I don't recall any nurses here asking you why you made this choice. But anyway I read your post and you made what was the best decision for you at the time. If you carefully read through all the threads on this subject I don't think you will find any nurse question or belittle someone decision to go to MA school. What you WILL find is nurses questioning the MA schools in regards to cost and lies they tell.
Yes, going to MA school , getting certified , becoming a CNA, phlebo etc is wounderful. Congradulations to anyone who does the like. For many it is a starting point , for many it can offer a life long job that they love. You are correct .....it is what MA schools are teaching vs, what the physicians they work under are allowing them to do , the cost of the schools , the acountalbility of the schools that most RN's , LPN's wonder about.
I also would like to respond to the ? of why go to MA school (mine WAS accredited, I wouldn't have gone to that school otherwise, I think it's called integrity),versus LPN or RN school.
/quote]
I don't recall any nurses here asking you why you made this choice. But anyway I read your post and you made what was the best decision for you at the time. If you carefully read through all the threads on this subject I don't think you will find any nurse question or belittle someone decision to go to MA school. What you WILL find is nurses questioning the MA schools in regards to cost and lies they tell.
Yes, going to MA school , getting certified , becoming a CNA, phlebo etc is wounderful. Congradulations to anyone who does the like. For many it is a starting point , for many it can offer a life long job that they love. You are correct .....it is what MA schools are teaching vs, what the physicians they work under are allowing them to do , the cost of the schools , the acountalbility of the schools that most RN's , LPN's are concerned about.
I also would like to respond to the ? of why go to MA school (mine WAS accredited, I wouldn't have gone to that school otherwise, I think it's called integrity),versus LPN or RN school.
/quote]
I don't recall any nurses here asking you why you made this choice. But anyway I read your post and you made what was the best decision for you at the time. If you carefully read through all the threads on this subject I don't think you will find any nurse question or belittle someone decision to go to MA school. What you WILL find is nurses questioning the MA schools in regards to cost and lies they tell.
1. I did read a post where someone was trying to make a decision if it would be MA school or not, and the post pointed out it was not accredited.
2. I reallydidn't read into the posts that I was belittled; rather, I read horror stories about what some MA's,CMA's may have been doing and how it made LPN and RN's feel. I just received an answer that stated just stay out of the way of he RN's. OK.
My point was there are parameters in which we all work within, yet there are always some who put a bad taste in their mouth. That's all folks! Thanks!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Not to nitpick, but I never knew you could get an LPN license by going through an Associates program.
Yes, it can happen. In many areas, an RN student can take NCLEX-PN after completing a certain amount of semesters. In New York, they were able to sit for the test after OB and Peds, but as of June 2007, this was no longer an option. It was felt that RN students were not trained as LPNs, and also, they did not complete enough material to sit for the exam. Now, an RN graduate can sit for NCLEX-PN if they choose to (but I am sure, most would not bother once they have completed a course gearing them for a higher license).
Also, with the LPN to RN bridge programs, there is a slight change as well. I attended a community college to become an LPN, and we had to take most of the same pre-requisites for RN; English 101, Psych 101, 102, Anatomy 1 and 2. This is to shorten the amount of time for additional classes to apply for the RN program.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
PaganDeva2000,
I always have seen the differences in the teachings and practices. That is what has made me get to where I am today.Like I've said before: Persaverance is the end result on a job well done.
Congrats to you for completing your LPN course and good luck for your career!
Good post. It's nice to read a job description as I'm fairly ignorant as to the role.
I understand too the concerns of nurses when CMA's with an ego try to pass themselves off as nurses, or don't correct patients when they presume they are a nurse, and take the attitude "well I do everything an RN does anyway, except..............."
Good post. It's nice to read a job description as I'm fairly ignorant as to the role.
I understand too the concerns of nurses when CMA's with an ego try to pass themselves off as nurses, or don't correct patients when they presume they are a nurse, and take the attitude "well I do everything an RN does anyway, except..............."
Thanks Tweety, Glad to know someone understood where I was coming from. I've never taken advantage of my experience or license for the sake of anything. I've the upmost respect for all of this info I'm receiving on allnurses.com
It's boosted my confidence in my disability issues, it's roared my brain again, you get it. TNK U!
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Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
It can be done.