Which will prepare you more for nursing school? CNA, PCT, or Medical assistant

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2019

When I was a PCT, it involved CNA duties plus some "extras", so it proved to be more beneficial. CMA (Medical Assistant) duties - as far as I can tell- seem to be office oriented. While you'd probably pick up a few helpful skills or knowledge tidbits as a CMA, working on a hospital floor is very different from working in a medical office.

Also, consider the money. It costs money to get a CMA certificate, money that you can use for nursing tuition. Some places will train you to be a CNA- no tuition necessary.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 8, 2019

Medical assistant isn't going to help you at all. MAs are employed mostly in outpatient areas and despite what my cousin the MA tells me, they don't do nursing tasks.

A CNA is probably your best bet. CNAs and Patient Care Techs are pretty much the same thing in some areas, and in others a PCT is a CNA with additional training and certification. You can be a Nursing Assistant without any training (other than on-the-job), and many places -- especially long term care are looking for help and will train you. A CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant, and you may be required to attend community college to get the certificate. Again, that depends upon your state.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2019

CNA is your best bet.

Golden_RN, MSN · Apr 11, 2019

CNA and PCT are almost the same thing. A CNA certification is very helpful to get hired as a PCT. Either of these jobs would be extremely helpful.

MAs learn a little bit about some medications and know how to give shots. Other than that, I agree with others that it's not helpful.

nygusz777 · Apr 15, 2019

Medical Assistant will teach You more nursing skills like phlebotomy,ekg and immunizations.PCT is more basic in my opinion.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Apr 15, 2019

On 4/8/2019 at 1:50 PM, sweet.tea said:
Would like to develop the skills and knowledge for nursing school.

I used to think that being a CNA or MA was a great way to prepare for nursing school....I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. CNAs and MAs are horribly abused in terms of overworked, underpaid, and it's a dirty job.

Shauntil07, LVN · May 7, 2019

I'm an MA and a PCT. I need to get my CNA license but I haven't pursued getting it yet.

Well first, you need to know what they do and what's the difference between where they work (which is really zilch, lol).

PCT (PCA, Rehab Assistant, Multi-Skilled Assistant)-Mainly employed in the hospital or certain rehab centers tied to a major hospital. They can perform tasks including: blood sugars, venipuncture (phlebotomy) and EKG's (in some settings).

MA- Mainly employed in outpatient settings, such as but not limited to, doctor's offices, outpatient clinics and offices (sometimes but not always, tied to a major hospital or system).

CNA- Mainly employed in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Recognized by the state as a license and you can do travel CNA assignments with one.

Each one has it's own skills and tasks but some of them do intertwine with each other. There's really no difference between all 3 except where each one works (for example, you won't find a PCT at a doctor's office). An MA's hours will usually range from 8-4 or 9-5 and go home at night (the only MA's I can see working at night would be maybe those in some of these ER urgent centers they have out now). A PCT's hours will usually be like a nurse-12 hr 3 days a week but some do work 8 hours, 5 days a week depending on the position. A CNA's hours can be similar to a PCT's hours.

I disagree with @Jory's opinion above. I love my job (mainly because I like the floor I work on). It's one reason why I'm pursuing nursing now. You can make the best of that job or the worst of it. Some of the same things we do as a PCT are some of the same things have to do. I've heard of nurses who felt they were abused and underpaid and you see how much they make right? I do agree however, that its not a job you want to make a career of but it can be a great stepping stone towards getting your nursing degree. Only you @sweet.tea will be able to determine what works for you. I hope this will helpful!!!

socal212, CNA · May 11, 2019

In my area, CNAs and PCTs are fairly interchangeable. Most hospitals hire as CNAs and then they train you in specific areas (EKGs or IVs and lab draws), and that shifts your title to a PCT. It kind of just depends on where you get hired and what the hospital wants (there's no PCTs in LTC or acute care facilities). Some hospitals here hire PCTs without a CNA license but you have to have completed part of nursing school to be hired.

If your goal is pursue nursing, I'd recommend avoiding a MA program. The one I looked into was, I think, a 20 week program. I did my CNA class in 9 weeks.