5 answers
Olivia
Student
New Market, Alabama
1
Question
Asked
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How much farther should I go in my career?
I’m starting school this August to earn my associates degree in applied sciences with a medical assistant pathway and I want to go farther than this in my medical career. Once I earn my medical assistant certification, I’m not sure if I should keep going and become an LPN, an RN, or maybe something even more. I grew up with my mom being a CNA and want to go further than this, I’m just not sure what I want to commit to. Any advice?
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5 answers
Fawn Roberts
Family Nurse Practitioner
1
Answer
Webster City, Iowa
Updated
Fawn’s Answer
From what I've seen, becoming an RN in school opens up many more opportunities than you might have without the degree or license. I've met LPNs in healthcare administration, but most employers prefer RNs. With an RN, you can work in bedside care, administrative roles, health coaching, wellness clinics like IV infusions, legal support, schools, and more. The pay is higher, and so is the responsibility, but it can be very rewarding. As an RN, you can work more independently and take on roles with more decision-making. RNs also have more career options if you need to move or just want a change. If you want to continue your education, you're already closer to that goal!
Some employers offer support through school with tuition programs, too.
Overall, if you can shadow different roles and see what interests you, it might help you decide how far you want to go in school.
Some employers offer support through school with tuition programs, too.
Overall, if you can shadow different roles and see what interests you, it might help you decide how far you want to go in school.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1835
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Olivia a associate degree program in applied science in healthcare can open a lot of career opportunities for someone wanting to get their foot in the door of the healthcare industry. Whether you have a passion for caring for others or you're interested in a high-paying career with excellent job security, an associate degree in healthcare provides an excellent jumping-off point for many exciting options.
MEDICAL ASSISTANT: $36,000
Medical Assistants work under a doctor of physician to help care for patients. Additionally, they also assist with administrative and clerical duties. These professionals are an important part of the healthcare team. The main duties of a medical assistant are to record a patient’s vital signs, and maintain patient records. They also bring them into the examination room, prepare them for the physician, and assist physicians with exams when needed. These assistants can collect, prepare, and log specimens and labs.
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CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT: $34,500
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) monitor patients in nursing homes, hospitals, private homes and residential treatment centers. They are responsible for providing care, assisting with daily activities and reporting any changes in health status, including vital signs.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECH: $79,000
Nuclear Medicine Technologists work administering medication and radioactive drugs to patients for imaging and also for medical treatment. These technologists support physicians and other professional nuclear medicine professionals as they diagnose, treat, and provide care for patients. They also explain medical procedures and answer patient questions. They also conduct research on radioactive drugs and act as emergency responders during a nuclear disaster. These technologists have specific safety procedures to limit radiation exposure.
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN: $73,300
Psychiatric Technicians or mental health technicians, are part of a patient's mental health team. They work with patients who have disabilities, illnesses or addictions to implement treatment plans, administer medication, take vital signs, lead support groups and comforting patients and families. Mental health technicians communicate with physicians, psychiatrists, social workers and counselors about the best course of treatment for patients.
CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY: $78,850
Sonography and cardiovascular technology technicians help doctors at all levels, including by administering sonograms and electrocardiograms (ECGs). These tests help paint a picture of the internal workings of the body or the health of a patient’s heart. Associate degree programs teach technicians how to operate the necessary machinery and relay vital information to doctors.
MRI TECHNOLOGIST: $77,800
MRI technologists are medical professionals that perform magnetic resonance imaging scans. They make work in radiology clinics, hospitals or specialty offices, such as cancer clinics. MRI technologists explain procedures to patients, position patients, inject patients with contrast agents when necessary, ensure all safety precautions are taken and operate MRI scanners.
MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGIST: $77,500
Mammography technologists work with physicians and operate mammography machines to produce radiological images of a patient's breasts for diagnostic purposes. They work directly with patients to perform necessary tests.
RESPIRATORY THERAPY: $78,000
Nearly 34 million Americans suffer from chronic lung disease, many of whom need specialized therapy to manage their malady.
Respiratory therapists administer care to those with respiratory issues. An associate degree in respiratory therapy will equip you with the skills to administer oxygen, manage ventilators, and inject drugs directly into a patient’s lungs.
Hope this will be helpful Olivia
MEDICAL ASSISTANT: $36,000
Medical Assistants work under a doctor of physician to help care for patients. Additionally, they also assist with administrative and clerical duties. These professionals are an important part of the healthcare team. The main duties of a medical assistant are to record a patient’s vital signs, and maintain patient records. They also bring them into the examination room, prepare them for the physician, and assist physicians with exams when needed. These assistants can collect, prepare, and log specimens and labs.
.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT: $34,500
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) monitor patients in nursing homes, hospitals, private homes and residential treatment centers. They are responsible for providing care, assisting with daily activities and reporting any changes in health status, including vital signs.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECH: $79,000
Nuclear Medicine Technologists work administering medication and radioactive drugs to patients for imaging and also for medical treatment. These technologists support physicians and other professional nuclear medicine professionals as they diagnose, treat, and provide care for patients. They also explain medical procedures and answer patient questions. They also conduct research on radioactive drugs and act as emergency responders during a nuclear disaster. These technologists have specific safety procedures to limit radiation exposure.
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN: $73,300
Psychiatric Technicians or mental health technicians, are part of a patient's mental health team. They work with patients who have disabilities, illnesses or addictions to implement treatment plans, administer medication, take vital signs, lead support groups and comforting patients and families. Mental health technicians communicate with physicians, psychiatrists, social workers and counselors about the best course of treatment for patients.
CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY: $78,850
Sonography and cardiovascular technology technicians help doctors at all levels, including by administering sonograms and electrocardiograms (ECGs). These tests help paint a picture of the internal workings of the body or the health of a patient’s heart. Associate degree programs teach technicians how to operate the necessary machinery and relay vital information to doctors.
MRI TECHNOLOGIST: $77,800
MRI technologists are medical professionals that perform magnetic resonance imaging scans. They make work in radiology clinics, hospitals or specialty offices, such as cancer clinics. MRI technologists explain procedures to patients, position patients, inject patients with contrast agents when necessary, ensure all safety precautions are taken and operate MRI scanners.
MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGIST: $77,500
Mammography technologists work with physicians and operate mammography machines to produce radiological images of a patient's breasts for diagnostic purposes. They work directly with patients to perform necessary tests.
RESPIRATORY THERAPY: $78,000
Nearly 34 million Americans suffer from chronic lung disease, many of whom need specialized therapy to manage their malady.
Respiratory therapists administer care to those with respiratory issues. An associate degree in respiratory therapy will equip you with the skills to administer oxygen, manage ventilators, and inject drugs directly into a patient’s lungs.
Hope this will be helpful Olivia
Julia Pulgini
Medical Assistant
20
Answers
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi! Something about nursing is that it is a constant growing field and always in demand. There are many levels to nursing, so if you like school, then I would say keep going to become an NP because it will all pay off at the end!
Adaobi Maryann Ezeogidi
Medical Assistant
14
Answers
Abia, AB
Updated
Adaobi Maryann’s Answer
Dear Olivia, sometimes people feel the need to keep going, especially if they have not achieved their ideal level of success in life.
Do not give up at this point of uncertainty, please. Every child enjoys it when their parents are proud of them, and our parents feel satisfied when their kids achieve greater success than they do.
I humbly suggest that while you are working toward your associate degree, keep an open mind about how your career may develop. You will be presented with numerous career options as your education progresses; hopefully, you will have the courage to choose one.
The medical field offers many career pathways, and you will undoubtedly be eager to pursue one.
Do not give up at this point of uncertainty, please. Every child enjoys it when their parents are proud of them, and our parents feel satisfied when their kids achieve greater success than they do.
I humbly suggest that while you are working toward your associate degree, keep an open mind about how your career may develop. You will be presented with numerous career options as your education progresses; hopefully, you will have the courage to choose one.
The medical field offers many career pathways, and you will undoubtedly be eager to pursue one.
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
115
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hello and thank you for the question.
I would say consider the career path that will allow you to move in multiple directions and allow you to be flexible. As a professor I see many students who are RNs go into direct care, non direct care work or travel. I would also say the ability to get a masters increases your education, career options and pay.
My niece is working on her RN to MSN, and wants to be a mortician. I would say that you have the ability to advance, why not, and do not allow anyone to make you feel bad that you have the space and opportunity to do so, because it's your life.
I hope this helps!
I would say consider the career path that will allow you to move in multiple directions and allow you to be flexible. As a professor I see many students who are RNs go into direct care, non direct care work or travel. I would also say the ability to get a masters increases your education, career options and pay.
My niece is working on her RN to MSN, and wants to be a mortician. I would say that you have the ability to advance, why not, and do not allow anyone to make you feel bad that you have the space and opportunity to do so, because it's your life.
I hope this helps!