What is the difference between Medical Assistant and CNA?

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2009

I'm not sure what the difference is between the two - I imagine that it might be facility-specific. I also imagine that the pay scale is similar.

However, neither is required for nursing school. MA or CNA is not considered a stepping-stone to nursing. Working as either could be a good way to test your interest in the field of nursing, but it's in no way a 'start' in the nursing education process.

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Jun 22, 2009

If you're going to continue on to LPN or RN, it's extremely helpful to become a CNA first. Also, many nursing schools are now requiring that you become a CNA before you are even able to apply to their programs. CNAs work under the supervision of LPNs and RNS, while MAs work under the supervision of a physician. MAs are frequently utilized in doctor's offices and outpatient clinics, while CNAs work in hospitals, LTC, rehab facilities, etc.

As far as pay difference, I don't live in California so I don't really know. Where I am, it depends on the facility and experience. Good luck :)

sunflower777 · Jun 22, 2009

I would agree with Boog'sGril724..CNA is a huge stepping stone to nursing. I work in a hospital and the nurses there don't stated that they don't regret starting out as a CNA. The internal job postings here where I work, we have had a few medical assisting job postings "every blue moon" and are most needed at the doctor's offices.

lamazeteacher · Jun 22, 2009

The requirements, previous education, and length of time those programs take for their graduates to practise are very different. I also get the sense that the quality of instructors is less nursing oriented for Medical Assistants. Like PAs, this type of worker is in place due to a need seen by physicians, who missed the handmaiden role nurses played for a long time. However the latter goal misfired, as MAs I've known are very independent thinkers, however the information they're given during their courses of study can be inaccurate.

CNAs usually have longer courses of study and supervised clinical practise. They have a stronger sense of team work, and identify with nurses.

When I went to see my physician at a clinic, her MA (who to my dismay, that doctor proclaimed and called, her "nurse"), told me that a blood pressure is accurate only when the equipment used (which the clinic had on the wall) has to be at a patient's heart level. (Maybe the worker who placed the sphygmomenometer on the wall, told her that.)

With my big mouth, I explained that it wasn't so, and had her ire directed at me afterward, to the extent that my physician said she had to get rid of the MA or me, and it would be me, as her MA kept her on schedule!

(I made other complaints about the MA, such as when she put me in a darkened treatment room in which the examining table hadn't a paper cover, and it was smeared with KY used in the prior examination). She also erroneously announced that I was phobic of white coats!

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 22, 2009

SOME schools are requiring that you be a CNA before allowing entry into the RN program. i know my former school is. I dont believe that being an MA is worth that much while to help with RN. i was one for 6 yrs, it was wonderful and great experience, i loved it, but not for the nursing aspect. so for sure CNA, but you should check out the schools that you are possibly going to go to's requirements first.

-H-RN

rc904 · Jun 22, 2009

I'll be happy to answer this question for you. I graduated with my Associates in Medical Assisting in 2006. I worked in a physician office right after graduation. My job consisted of working the front office (answering phones, making appts, check in-out...etc). Back office (vitals, assisting pt to room, assisting MD as needed for procedures, giving injections, and drawing labs). Also, we are trained to do medical billing and coding, but I rarely had to do that. I've worked in a variety of offices ranging from Adults to Peds.

In 2008, I got a job at a hospital as an Associate Care Provider (ACP). According to job description, you either had to be trained as a MA, CNA, or EMT. I work in LDRP and I assist the nurses and OB with patient care. I can draw labs when we admit a patient for delivery or PIH workup. I will get the mom's hooked up to the monitor and take their vitals while the nurses ask questions and chart. I am in the room during a lady partsl delivery where I help hold legs, collect cord bloods, bag the placenta, and clean the mom after delivery. I assist the mom postpartum with pericare, dc iv making sure that the tip is intact. I also get to help the nursery nurses by changing the newborn or feeding them.

While it is true that a MA mostly works in an office, it is possible to work in a hospital as well. I am currently working on my prereqs for nursing, and I will say that me working in the hospital setting has given me a lot more experience than the office. Reason being is I am spending more than 10 minutes with the patient, and providing what I feel is true patient care. For the pay, it all depends on where you live. When I lived further up North I was making $15.00. Now I barely make $12.00. I have relatives that live in CA working as CNA and they start at $15 I believe. Oh, and if I could do this all over again I would've skipped becoming a MA and went straight for RN. I paid over $17,000 for my degree through a private college. My money would've been better spent on my ADN, as I'd be making more money right now had I went the ADN route.

sharpeimom · Jun 22, 2009

(i made other complaints about the ma, such as when she put me in a darkened treatment room in which the examining table hadn't a paper cover, and it was smeared with ky used in the prior examination). she also erroneously announced that i was phobic of white coats!

sounds like my trip to our hospital's "new, improved and updated" pt department. no cover on the table, the pta didn't bother to wash her hands before she touched me ... "no need because i just took my gloves off...", and the capper was that when the pt herself came, the pta told her i was uncooperative and nitpicked about every little thing. sometimes, you just can't make anyone hear you.

my torn rotator cuff and i have a new pt clinic. i'm sorry you lost your physician. :banghead:

kathy

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

ErinDel, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2009

I am a rma and wished I just went straight for my lpn or adn. It was a waste of 10 grand for me cuz I don't like the administrative part anymore. I want total patient care so now I am trying to get into the hospital and they only accept cnas. I used to work as a pct on medsurg years ago and I worked as an ed tech which I loved but I had to leave because I moved 50 minutes out of town. Honestly get your can which will give u the nursing experience as close as it can get. Also when u graduate from nu school, u may be able to get a job quicker as an rn since u worked as a cna on a particular floor. Good luck