Why did you become an MA?

allnurses Guide · Aug 25, 2015

This was most likely the post you are referring to:

I wonder if all the above hubbub about MAs stems from the fact that the school level is attractive to people who want to do something medical but want to do it quickly and they saw the ad for the for-profit 9-month program on daytime TV when they were unemployed. That combination does not bode well for folks that are vested in being truly competent professionals. When it comes down to it, it becomes difficult to elevate a profession (?) that is developing in that manner."

Nowhere in this post did they say this was the only reason.

If you are not one of those people "who want to do something medical but want to do it quickly and they saw the ad for the for-profit 9-month program on daytime TV when they were unemployed", then carry on and let it go.

When I was a CNA, I would often hear about CNAs being unintelligent or lazy. That wasn't my case and I didn't let it bother me.

If you feel nobody here knows the score, why do you value their opinion so much that you let it bother you? It seems to bother you because you keep bringing it up.

Purple_roses · Aug 25, 2015

So I am being told that the only reason folks go to MA school is because they....1. They wanted something fast and quick to get into the medical field2. They were unemployed and lazy Next, I am told that because of these two reasons, MAs are incompetent and are not trained appropiately to be considered "medical professionals"I am really just venting.....but I work hard everyday as an MA. I have learned so much about the medical field, and have even taught a lot to my coworkers (RNs, LPNs) too. I just feel like some people have this messed up idea about MAs. From one bad experience they judge the whole lot of us. I am applying to nursing school this year and my time that I have spent working as an MA has help me realize that I am making the best decision for myself. If you have never gone through the MA training and worked as an MA then you cannot speak about it. You cannot tell me what my job entails. You cannot tell me what I learned and what I didn't learned. You don't know the work, don't act you do.That felt good ;)So my question to my fellow MAs....Why did you go to MA school?IH

I think I know what thread inspired this post, and I sincerely believe that you misinterpreted much of what some of our members were saying. Just my personal opinion.

Another issue: we can easily find out what an MA learns in school by researching it. We can look up course catalogues and figure out what you're learning. For instance, at my community college, the MA students do not have to take Anatomy and Physiology; they simply need a cell biology course. We can also easily determine what an MA's job duties/scope of practice entails.

As a reference:

"Medical assistants are unlicensed, and may only perform basic administrative, clerical and technical supportive services as permitted by law. An unlicensed person may not diagnose or treat or perform any task that is invasive or requires assessment. The responsibility for the appropriate use of unlicensed persons in health care delivery rests with the physician.The classification of medical assistant is defined under the provisions of the Medical Practice Act (Business and Professions Code sections 2069-2071) as a person who may be unlicensed who performs basic administrative, clerical, and technical supportive services under the supervision of a licensed physician, podiatrist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife."

Medical Assistants Practicing Beyond the Scope of Their Training

Now let's take a look at the responsibilities of an RN:

Perform physical exams and health histories
Provide health promotion, counseling and education
Administer medications, wound care, and numerous other personalized interventions
Interpret patient information and make critical decisions about needed actions
Coordinate care, in collaboration with a wide array of healthcare professionals
Direct and supervise care delivered by other healthcare personnel like LPNs and nurse aides
Conduct research in support of improved practice and patient outcomes

What Nurses Do

The fact that MAs and RNs have different job duties and scopes of practice does not mean people hate MAs. The fact that members on here are aware of the differences between MAs and RNs and have shared that information on this forum is not evidence that people hate MAs. Some people may, but many do not.

muirite · Aug 25, 2015

I was a MA before I started my nursing program. I have met MA's that were wonderful and others who that could not take basic vitals. Like one took my pulse at 173 she said it was in the normal range.

I have met some nurses that amaze me that they passed and got BSN

studentih · Aug 25, 2015

I was a MA before I started my nursing program. I have met MA's that were wonderful and others who that could not take basic vitals. Like one took my pulse at 173 she said it was in the normal range.
I have met some nurses that amaze me that they passed and got BSN

So true. Why did you initially decide on becoming an MA?

studentih · Aug 25, 2015

This was most likely the post you are referring to:
"Aug 24 by la_chica_suerte85

I wonder if all the above hubbub about MAs stems from the fact that the school level is attractive to people who want to do something medical but want to do it quickly and they saw the ad for the for-profit 9-month program on daytime TV when they were unemployed. That combination does not bode well for folks that are vested in being truly competent professionals. When it comes down to it, it becomes difficult to elevate a profession (?) that is developing in that manner."
Nowhere in this post did they say this was the only reason.
If you are not one of those people "who want to do something medical but want to do it quickly and they saw the ad for the for-profit 9-month program on daytime TV when they were unemployed", then carry on and let it go.
When I was a CNA, I would often hear about CNAs being unintelligent or lazy. That wasn't my case and I didn't let it bother me.
If you feel nobody here knows the score, why do you value their opinion so much that you let it bother you? It seems to bother you because you keep bringing it up.

Nope, I wasn't referring to that post.

muirite · Aug 25, 2015

So true. Why did you initially decide on becoming an MA?

I needed to get experience before I could apply for mt top choice nursing school. They require you to have paid cna, MA, or tech job for 6 months.

Awesomocity0 · Aug 25, 2015

In school, we were always taught that professionals had a license. You have medical professionals and unlicensed assistive personnel. Isn't your job as a UAP to assist professionals with licenses? I mean, I wasn't even going to point that out, but since you seem to be so offended at some perceived persecution by members on an online forum called 'allnurses,' I figured I'd go for it. Also, it's absolutely valid for people to point out that we can easily find out your scope and compare it to an RN's or LVN's, given that you opened the door.

You're absolutely right though that we don't know what you went through in school. Then again, I don't know what my fellow RNs went through in school. I don't even know what my graduating class went through in school. We each have individual experiences and perceptions on reality. However, I CAN tell you the basic requirements for programs in Texas. So when people try to relate their experiences, I don't scream, "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!" I instead point out factual things that are relevant to that person.

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 25, 2015

Please, folks, refrain from posting off-topic, inflammatory digs.

Confine posts to the subject of the thread.

Thank you.

OCNRN63, RN · Aug 25, 2015

In school, we were always taught that professionals had a license. You have medical professionals and unlicensed assistive personnel. Isn't your job as a UAP to assist professionals with licenses? I mean, I wasn't even going to point that out, but since you seem to be so offended at some perceived persecution by members on an online forum called 'allnurses,' I figured I'd go for it. Also, it's absolutely valid for people to point out that we can easily find out your scope and compare it to an RN's or LVN's, given that you opened the door.
You're absolutely right though that we don't know what you went through in school. Then again, I don't know what my fellow RNs went through in school. I don't even know what my graduating class went through in school. We each have individual experiences and perceptions on reality. However, I CAN tell you the basic requirements for programs in Texas. So when people try to relate their experiences, I don't scream, "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH!" I instead point out factual things that are relevant to that person.

I think the confusion is also in part because MAs don't really have a clearly defined scope. Their scope is whatever their supervising physicians allow them to do.

TEstarnurse · Aug 25, 2015

Becoming a MA takes work as well. It's not like you take a 3 week class and boom you're a medical assistant. Absolutely not!!!! As long as you're doing what you like and YOU know you're going for something more then I wouldn't worry about it. These people that have these negative opinions what are they doing that's so spectacular they can make a comment on someone else's profession...

The strong move in SILENCEðŸ‘¤

pixiestudent2 · Aug 25, 2015

An MA told me she didn't know she could do any better.