Have you been thinking about getting a medical assistant certification? If so, you are not alone. Due to the tough economy, this is a choice that many people are making. Many see the healthcare industry as an industry that is fast paced and growing rapidly. Due to these factors, many are going into this field.
But to be an effective CMA, you need to get training. Training takes time and costs money. Many wonder if it is worth it. After all, you can go to medical assistant school for 2 years, and you can become a nurse in 2 years! The difference in pay between that of a CMA and that of a nurse can be significant!
So does it make any sense at all to go the route of medical assisting, when you can become a nurse in just 2 years? Today, we’ll analyze a few of the things that you’ll need to think about, before you make a decision.
First of all, realize that you are NOT required to go to school for 2 years. Although you can get a graduates degree, you can be certified in a much shorter period of time. Many choose to go to school for one year, and if you are a quick learner, you may be able to find online courses or crash courses where you can get a certification in a much quicker period of time. If so, than that is a good reason why a medical assistant certification will be of benefit to you.
However, there is another consideration. Nurses deal with patients all the time. Many of the job functions of nurses involve working with blood, bodily fluids and other things that MIGHT be something you aren’t comfortable with. Not every person wants to help change colostomy bags and things of this nature.
Perhaps you aren’t quite sure how you will react to this type of thing? If not, than medical assisting might be a great way to get a good introduction into the field. In this position, you are not asked to do near as much clinical work as a nurse, so if you aren’t sure if you can handle that, this might be a good path to take.
That being said, it is still a tough decision. If you go to school for just one year for medical assisting, you will probably be unable to convert credits to nursing school. On the other hand if you go for two years, you will be making much less than a nurse. It’s times like these where you need to do a lot of research and make a decision that will benefit you.
Be exhaustive in your research and talk to as many people as you can. Check out different colleges that you may see on the internet or in flyers, and talk to their personnel. Be frank and up front with them. Nursing isn’t for everyone, and medical assistant certifications can be a great way to get you into the medical field.