What's The Deal?

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 19, 2008

that counselor sounds like a numbskull.... you go get your LPN and forget him. i have no idea why he would want to talk you out of being a nurse... keep me posted on how you are doing ....

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 19, 2008

Maybe the enrollment numbers in the MA program are on the low side? Maybe he has a family member who is a MA, and he's biased. Maybe he likes that faculty better. Maybe it's less work for him.

Could be any one of lots of reasons that have nothing to do with you nor your situation. Just be firm about what you are going to do and go for it!!

MrsAmesRN · Aug 19, 2008

I agree with the other posters. If you want to go for the LPN, do it. I was a MA for 8 yrs before becomming a RN. I worked in KY, TX, and SC. The pay was close to the same in each place (from $8-12/hr). The LPN's that I've worked with have all made more than that. As far as finding a job, I never had any trouble at all. But as a LPN, I think you would have more options. I think MA's mainly work in MD offices. It may be different in other states, but in KY, in addition to working in MD offices, LPN's can work hospitals, home health and probably other places too. I don't think MA's can. I really enjoyed being a MA and I learned a lot while I did it. But the school I went to was expensive and I am still repaying those student loans. You're absolutey right, it's you're money, and it's also you're time and effort. Spend it the way you think is best. Don't let them bully you into doing something that you don't really think is best for you. Best of luck to you, whatever you choose.:nuke:

chevyv, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2008

Working as a lpn means you can bridge to rn and your job market has really opened up. I don't think you can bridge if your an MA. Just something to think about. Good luck with whatever you choose.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 19, 2008

Maybe the enrollment numbers in the MA program are on the low side? Maybe he has a family member who is a MA, and he's biased. Maybe he likes that faculty better. Maybe it's less work for him.
Could be any one of lots of reasons that have nothing to do with you nor your situation. Just be firm about what you are going to do and go for it!!

I was about to say the same thing...that their numbers must be low and if they don't raise them, the MA program may be dropped. The main issue I have with the MA is that most of them are limited to the doctor's office, yet, many have more skills or education than a CNA. And, depending on the geographical location, it is harder to obtain a position in an office as an MA.

smyle2156 · Aug 19, 2008

Is this a private school you are thinking about going to? If it is, try looking into your local community college if they have one in your area. I just completed the LPN course at the local community college and I was able to pay for it in cash while I was in school on a payment plan. I think If your long term goals are to become a nurse, I feel as though MA is a waste of time. I was one and in Ohio I could not find a job paying over 12.00 an hour. I wind up working in customer service and going for my LPN. I plan to go to the bridge program next year. GOOD LUCK to you and tell that guy to go to H***... :banghead:

MAmom81 · Aug 21, 2008

I agree with the other posters. If you want to go for the LPN, do it. I was a MA for 8 yrs before becomming a RN. I worked in KY, TX, and SC. The pay was close to the same in each place (from $8-12/hr). The LPN's that I've worked with have all made more than that. As far as finding a job, I never had any trouble at all. But as a LPN, I think you would have more options. I think MA's mainly work in MD offices. It may be different in other states, but in KY, in addition to working in MD offices, LPN's can work hospitals, home health and probably other places too. I don't think MA's can. I really enjoyed being a MA and I learned a lot while I did it. But the school I went to was expensive and I am still repaying those student loans. You're absolutey right, it's you're money, and it's also you're time and effort. Spend it the way you think is best. Don't let them bully you into doing something that you don't really think is best for you. Best of luck to you, whatever you choose.:nuke:

That is exactly what I want to do is to become an MA and work as an MA for awhile, get some medical experience, pay off my students loans from the degree I am getting now and then go back to nursing school and become an RN which is my utimate goal. If you don't mind me asking how hard was you MA school? any advice or tips you could offer me would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!!!

MAmom81 · Aug 21, 2008

I was supposed to start a Medical Assisting W/Limited X-Ray Program this fall at a technical school. Originally when I went to the school to apply, I was interested in their LPN and Surgical Tech Programs. The counselor convinced me that the MA Program was the way to go. The classes are half day versus all day, and the tuition costs a lot less.
Once I got home and started researching online I started to panic. I found that there weren't a lot of MA jobs, especially for new grads with little experience. I also started to have doubts about the pay and lack of being able to advance. For instance, if I decided later on that I wanted to go on and become an RN, I would be starting over from scratch since none of my training or schooling from becoming an MA would transfer over. My husband and I have 4 kids but 2 of them are in school all day. By the time we pay for daycare for the kids, I would have no money left over based on the average pay for an MA.
So, I called the counselor today and told him that I was having second thoughts about the MA Program and that I wanted to go for the LPN. There seems to be more job opportunities, better pay, and the possibility of advancing later on. The counselor was less than thrilled and tried to talk me out of it saying I was making a mistake. He was saying that I would be losing money since I would have to pay back more tuition and that I would be making more as an MA once I figured that cost in. Maybe in the short term sense that's true, but I'm thinking more long term. Eventually we will be able to pay off my student loans, and then I would be making way more as an LPN.
I don't get why he's so against me doing this. I mean it's my money, and my time away from my kids. I realize the pros and cons and that the LPN Program is going to be a little more difficult to acheive, but I still feel it's worth it. If that's what I want to do then why does he keep giving me his personal opinions and keep trying to talk me out of it?

I totally 100% agree with everyone who has posted here, don't let some counselor tell you what program to take it's your money and your time & decision like you said, it's not his. Go with what your comfortable with and want to do ok. Unfortunately I should have taken my own advice because I let an admissions counselor talk me into the program I am now and as much as I like the fact that I will graduate soon with an AA degree in Health Admministration it's not what I want to do so now I have to wait little bit before I can start an MA program and eventually get into a nursing program plus I know have to pay back students loans for something I did not want so don't make the mistake I made and let someone make an improtant decision for you, I wish you the best ok, keep u posted. Oh and I am really sorry about the long post I really needed to vent.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2008

The admissions counselor at the school probably had an ulterior motive for wanting you to enroll in the MA program, as the others have indicated. Therefore, he is giving you inaccurate information with the hope that you don't do your own research. Never trust a school official to do your research for you.

I completed a CMA (certified medical assistant) program back in 2000, and was unable to ever land a job as a medical assistant. The highest job offer I received was $8 hourly. I refused the $8 wage because I was earning about the same amount of money at the grocery store where I was employed. I later secured employment as a factory worker, and was earning nearly twice as much as the $8 hourly wage being offered to work as an MA. In a nutshell, the MA program was a costly mistake for me.

I now earn very close to the $50,000 range per year as an LVN/LPN with only 2.5 years of experience. While this is not a whole lot of money in today's society, it is enough to afford some middle-class comforts and save for the uncertain future.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2008

any advice or tips you could offer me would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!!!

I graduated from an MA program about 8 years ago. My biggest piece of advice is this: "Don't do it!"

I suppose I'm biased, because I feel the MA program was a costly mistake.

**Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN** · Aug 22, 2008

I called a local private business school when I was laid off in 2002. They tried to push me into a MA program too. They actually told me MA's could give shots, but LPNs could not. Do your research and talk to people. Find out what's best for you.