3 answers
Kenyi
Student
2
Questions
Asked
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So while doing training to become a MA, after I get into a job position shortly after is that when I should start seeking out advancement like going from MA to Travel Nurse and/or becoming a RN That way I do not stay in the same salary bracket.?
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3 answers
Melissa Davis
RN / Practice Transformation Specialist
1
Answer
Alexandria, Virginia
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
Hello Kenyi,
Depending on what state you live in, you likely do not need a Medical Assistant license in order to work as an MA. In fact, I never recommend going to school for MA. I currently have my RN & BSN and was an urgent care Director for 4 years. I did all of the hiring and the salary doesn't change based on whether you have your Medical Assistant certification.
Prior to going to school for my RN & BSN, I worked as a Medical Assistant in Urgent Care, the Emergency Department, and the Operating Room. In Maryland, I was required to have a CNA license which only took less than 4 months at a local community college. When I went to work in Virginia, I was not required to have any licensing at all. Any Medical Assistant job that you have will do on the job training for things like phlebotomy, triaging, splinting, and/or wound care.
My Recommended Path:
1. Check your state laws to see what is required in order to work as a Medical Assistant (most states don't care about MA licensing)
If CNA license is required --> complete this at a Community College
2. Apply for a job as a Medical Assistant and start working
Most Cost Effective Route to your RN / BSN:
4. Go to Community College for your RN
5. Pass the NCLEX
6. Start working as an RN right away
7. Enroll in an RN to BSN Program (you can do this online while you're working as an RN).
Note: There is only an average of $1/hr difference for nurses with an RN compared to BSN, so take your time getting your BSN and let your company pay for it if they offer tuition assistance benefits.
The benefit to this plan is that you'll save a lot of money while gaining experience . When employers are reviewing your resume, they will only notice the school with your highest degree of education. For example, employers only see that I am a registered nurse and I have my BSN from Maryland University.
Depending on what state you live in, you likely do not need a Medical Assistant license in order to work as an MA. In fact, I never recommend going to school for MA. I currently have my RN & BSN and was an urgent care Director for 4 years. I did all of the hiring and the salary doesn't change based on whether you have your Medical Assistant certification.
Prior to going to school for my RN & BSN, I worked as a Medical Assistant in Urgent Care, the Emergency Department, and the Operating Room. In Maryland, I was required to have a CNA license which only took less than 4 months at a local community college. When I went to work in Virginia, I was not required to have any licensing at all. Any Medical Assistant job that you have will do on the job training for things like phlebotomy, triaging, splinting, and/or wound care.
My Recommended Path:
1. Check your state laws to see what is required in order to work as a Medical Assistant (most states don't care about MA licensing)
If CNA license is required --> complete this at a Community College
2. Apply for a job as a Medical Assistant and start working
Most Cost Effective Route to your RN / BSN:
4. Go to Community College for your RN
5. Pass the NCLEX
6. Start working as an RN right away
7. Enroll in an RN to BSN Program (you can do this online while you're working as an RN).
Note: There is only an average of $1/hr difference for nurses with an RN compared to BSN, so take your time getting your BSN and let your company pay for it if they offer tuition assistance benefits.
The benefit to this plan is that you'll save a lot of money while gaining experience . When employers are reviewing your resume, they will only notice the school with your highest degree of education. For example, employers only see that I am a registered nurse and I have my BSN from Maryland University.
Nicole Crowder
Nurse Practitioner
18
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi - I love that you are seeking out advice before you start your career path. This is what I suggest. If your ultimate goal is to become a Registered Nurse, why not pursue that 100% after high school? You will find that time spent in other areas really is a waste of your time. Becoming an MA does not prepare you for nursing school. Should you decide to go the MA route, give yourself a strict time limit for pursuing your nursing degree (within one year). What usually happens is that people stay in lower paying jobs and fail to pursue their dreams - DON'T LET THAT BE YOU. I urge you to go straight for the nursing degree - do not stop until you have achieved it!
Blessings to you,
Nicole
Blessings to you,
Nicole
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1921
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kenyi !
This is certainly an exciting career path that you have chosen, however, a look at what is entailed in your plan as mentioned needs advice. I will give you some thoughts as if you haven't started anything yet because you didn't mention if you are currently in the throws of studying to be an MA right now. Let's assume you haven't started anything yet. I also want to touch upon your question about salary in the future.
My advice is after high school, go to nursing school to become an RN if ultimately you'd want to be a Travel Nurse. All Travel Nurses are RNs and you need to be an RN who has worked for five years or more in order to qualify to register at a Travel Nurse agency. If you are definite about becoming a medical assistant first but do plan to go for your RN, I suggest taking an MA course of study that would be like 9 months in length, get a feel for the job market for MAs, but you can't be a Travel Nurse for quite some time yet. The sooner you become an RN, the sooner you can get the lengthy experience you need to qualify as a Travel Nurse. Keep in mind that a Travel Nurse Agency can send to to work at a hospital around the corner or to Asia or Europe. The assignments would be wherever you are needed and it doesn't necessarily mean you'd be sent outside of your State or neighborhood.
The only way you will know how to increase your salary is during the time you have your credentials and than your RN. You will discover this by reading employment notices and it won't be by someone in the past having told you where you will make more money. Salaries vary greatly from regional location, company and how much experience you have based on when you apply. Your salary will be determined by the employer that interviews you and offers the job to you. After many years in nursing, a good way to advance your salary may be to go into the administrative sector of nursing.
The length of time to become a registered nurse will vary based on the degree you go for. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing would normally take four years. The best degree for nursing would be the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse degree which is a Masters Degree. After nursing school, you must take the licensing exam and pass it. Salary advancement in this field is sometimes based on education and years worked. So you may want to get an early start on the RN education part and obtain some years of experience as an RN.
If it is advancing your salary that concerns you now, I would say that you don't have anything to worry about right now. When you become an MA and than an RN or only the RN, you will see that there are chances to increase your income within the field . You will find out by reading employment notices at that time. For right now, I would say that your education path is the important focus.
I hope that this has been helpful and that I wish you all the best moving forward with your decisions !
This is certainly an exciting career path that you have chosen, however, a look at what is entailed in your plan as mentioned needs advice. I will give you some thoughts as if you haven't started anything yet because you didn't mention if you are currently in the throws of studying to be an MA right now. Let's assume you haven't started anything yet. I also want to touch upon your question about salary in the future.
My advice is after high school, go to nursing school to become an RN if ultimately you'd want to be a Travel Nurse. All Travel Nurses are RNs and you need to be an RN who has worked for five years or more in order to qualify to register at a Travel Nurse agency. If you are definite about becoming a medical assistant first but do plan to go for your RN, I suggest taking an MA course of study that would be like 9 months in length, get a feel for the job market for MAs, but you can't be a Travel Nurse for quite some time yet. The sooner you become an RN, the sooner you can get the lengthy experience you need to qualify as a Travel Nurse. Keep in mind that a Travel Nurse Agency can send to to work at a hospital around the corner or to Asia or Europe. The assignments would be wherever you are needed and it doesn't necessarily mean you'd be sent outside of your State or neighborhood.
The only way you will know how to increase your salary is during the time you have your credentials and than your RN. You will discover this by reading employment notices and it won't be by someone in the past having told you where you will make more money. Salaries vary greatly from regional location, company and how much experience you have based on when you apply. Your salary will be determined by the employer that interviews you and offers the job to you. After many years in nursing, a good way to advance your salary may be to go into the administrative sector of nursing.
The length of time to become a registered nurse will vary based on the degree you go for. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing would normally take four years. The best degree for nursing would be the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse degree which is a Masters Degree. After nursing school, you must take the licensing exam and pass it. Salary advancement in this field is sometimes based on education and years worked. So you may want to get an early start on the RN education part and obtain some years of experience as an RN.
If it is advancing your salary that concerns you now, I would say that you don't have anything to worry about right now. When you become an MA and than an RN or only the RN, you will see that there are chances to increase your income within the field . You will find out by reading employment notices at that time. For right now, I would say that your education path is the important focus.
I hope that this has been helpful and that I wish you all the best moving forward with your decisions !