What's the diff between MA and CNA?

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I was in the process of signing up for a MA program when my step-dad said he could get me a job at Univ. of Chgo Hospitals if I got a CNA. But when I try to find info about programs and classes for CNA it always points me in the direction of MA.

What's the difference?

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

A big difference is about 8 months of school and the edication involved. As a CNA, you learn how to assist people with daily activities, like showering, changing briefs, feeding, taking vital stats, making beds, how to position people, etc. CNA prograqms can be completed in as little as 3 weeks. MA programs consist of several courses like anatomy and physiology, computers, technical writing, phlebotomy, lab technology, etc. These take anywhere from 8 months to a year full time.

Also, remember that nursing and medicine are different fields. Nurses heal people, and as a CNA you'd probably be assisting patients or geriatric residents with daily living. Mediceine heals diseases and as an MA, you'd be drawing blood, doing assessments, doing lab work, explaining procedures, etc.

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Actually, MA could be two different positions.

One is a medication assistant, where you are trained to give medications in a LTC {long term care} or ALF {assisted living facility}.

I understand that to be a medication assistant you already need the qualifications of a CNA.

Another position of "MA" is Medical assistant.

These are positions used alot in doctors offices when they don't want to hire a nurse.....saves them money, but you are doing alot of the tasks that would be performed by a nurse. Set the patient up for exams, assist the doctor with the exams, they also do scheduling appointments, some insurance and clerical office work, they can also give injections, as prescribed by the doctor.

It is my understanding, that your certificate as a medical assistant does not allow you to do assessments or write prescriptions.....there was a thread on here that someone who was a medical assistant claimed to be "seeing" her own patients, assessing and writing their prescriptions.

These particular duties are out of the scope of practice for a medical assistant. Please do not confuse medical assistant with "Physician's Assistant."

Not that I agree with either one of these positions, but they are becoming widely used all over.

IMHO, if you're going to spend 1-2 years on one of these programs I would suggest going on to nursing school. You could start out as an LPN or LVN and bridge later on to RN. You would learn more of the critical thinking skills of a nurse, and make more money, also...probably at least twice as much as an LPN compared to medical assistant or medication assistant. RN positions can be triple what a medical or medication assistant can make, and even more depending on the area and position of nurse you apply for.

A medical or medication assistant is not going to get much above minimum wage...usually in the range, I would say $8-10/hour, depending on the area.

Maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less...as I say depending on where you are located.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, home-care.

In the state of PA, you can give insulin, meds (including narcs), b/s, vitals, and charting in an ALF (Assisted Living) without any formal training or certifications, just as you may do for your parents in their homes. ... but in LTC (Long term care), you must be certified nurse assistant (CNA) and DO NOT TOUCH MEDS...only assist in daily living activities...CNA's may take vitals and chart, plus all the other "GRUNT" work.... both work hard, but CNA's usually are better paid and must be licenced by the state.

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A CNA is a Certified Nurses Assistant/Aide, an MA is a Medical Assistant. I'm not sure exactly what MA do i do know that the course to become one is longer and not always a better paying job. I live in PA and CNA salary where i am is between 10-15 dollars an hour. At first (in my experience) CNA work was hard! I wanted to quit my second day of clinical, i just didn't know what to expect and was a little overwhelmed, but if you stick with it you get used to it and if you decide to become a nurse it may be a good starting point. There is alot involved Lifting, cleaning people up, bathing, feeding. You learn how to communicate with patients. You can work in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabs. You are like a second pair of eyes and ears for the nurse. If you are planning to become a nurse i would suggest becoming a CNA and yes its not necessary but its good experience.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I was talking to a nurse friend of mine telling her that I wanted to take either a Medical Assistant course or Pharmacy tech course and work while I was waiting to get into a nursing program. She said at her facility the medical assistants don't make much and the Pharmacy techs make more.

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I'm in PA and for the most part, CNAs make more here than Medical Assistants do. In part, I believe due to the huge turnover issue. Hospital jobs for LPNs here a few and far between and if if you do find a position in a hospital the LPN starting wage is dismal...one Pgh hospital network has $12.XX an hour stated as starting wage according to their web site...ridiculous IMHO. I took almost a $3.00 an hour pay cut when I went from CNA to MA but the work schedule is much nicer (family practice office) and I perform more technical skills (injections, blood draws, some lab work, etc.).

Lorraine

CMA, CNA

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