What's the difference?.....A little HELP please

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hi everyone,

I plan on becoming a CNA real soon. I figure being a CNA can help me with my goal of becomig a RN. Can anybody tell me what's the difference between a

CNA:trout: and a Medical Assistant??? What's the pay difference??????

Thanks a million!!!:monkeydance:

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

I've worked as both a CNA and a CMA. CNAs assist the nurses. CMAs assist the doctor. So, CNAs learn about changing beds, giving baths, vital signs, feeding patients..stuff like that. Because Medical Assistants normally work in a doctor's office, they do not learn about changing bed linen or baths; instead, they learn how to take vital signs, perform ear lavages, take a medical history, and stuff like that. In MA school we also learned about "front office" stuff such as, insurance forms, coding, billing, scheduling, answering phones and referals.

I didn't really see a difference in pay, but that may be just in my area; however, I went to MA school for 9 months while CNA school was just 2 months. I think either one will help you in the nursing field, but I think that the hours that I can work as a CNA are better for nursing school than working in a doctor's office. If you have anymore questions, please just ask.

Sincerely,

Jay

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

here is some more information for you:

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos164.htm - information on medical assisting from the u.s. department of labor

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos165.htm - information on nursing assistants (cna) from the u.s. department of labor

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