medical assistant is a stupid career

I went to school for medical assistant I waste my time, any body out there just go on for nursing.

I agree with you and i'm in the same situation right now . and i plan to go back to school to do my lpn/rn program . well the best of luck just go do your nursing.grad in aug o7 from Branford hall

Very true. Like that comment. Thier is a lot of other reasons why that field is stupid. No were not haters it's just the truth.

The reason why you can't find a job and hate the profession is the fact that your spelling isn't even correct! The medical assisting career is wonderful. I work in a cancer center and am lucky enough to go home everyday knowing I made a difference in someone's day. Have fun working overnights and doing paperwork 24/7 as an RN!!

I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!

I was 7 months away from graduating from RN program and became pregnant after giving up trying to have a baby. I had to withdraw from the program. After my son was born I tried to get back in the next Fall semester. Classes were full next available class was 2 years away. So I applies to the MA program I got a job before I even finished school started out at $9.00, 7 yrs later the same job I was only making $13.00 and doing the exact same thing work in the office as the LPN($18.00 hr.)and the RN($22.00)to graduate LPN needed less credits than a MA both go to school for 1 year they do not teach LPN any thing about labs or how to draw blood,filing insurance claims ,medical transcription.I agree becoming a MA it is pretty much a waste of time.I seen companies hire a CNA before CMA. I couldn't believe it. You can become a CNA in most places in 3 months The reason why RN, LPN, CNA get jobs before a CMA it the "N" word "NURSE" because of that they are thought to be more knowledgeable. I'm not putting the profession down someone needs to educate the medical community that we can and we do.THE SAME DUTIES THAT RN and LPN so we want the same money If you were having an MI would you want someone who could recite word for word on how to use the defibrillator or someone who could just do it

Michelle in Eau Claire, Wisconsin said: The reason why you can't find a job and hate the profession is the fact that your spelling isn't even correct! The medical assisting career is wonderful. I work in a cancer center and am lucky enough to go home everyday knowing I made a difference in someone's day. Have fun working overnights and doing paperwork 24/7 as an RN!!

it is so true ,the response that was made in regards to the spelling not even being correct, before wanting to go to school to become a "perfesional" you need to go back to learn some more skills in your grammer ... even when you become a RN you are going to need to have to be able to read and write.. you will be doing charting and documention on your pts. and" hopefully" as you know these are leagal documents ... maybe the nursing feild isnt really where you need to be .

Obviously you have no idea what you are talking about...AT ALL! I have been a RMA for over 8 years and I also work in a Cancer Center in NY and I make over $36,100.00 a year..If you have math skills that's almost $20.00 an hour with full benefits, 2 and 1/2 weeks paid vacation and 12 sick days. Yes I worked hard to get there and all the other jobs i've had were just a little less then what I was making now. I am making just as much as an LPN less the paperwork and BS. Mind you the difference between an LPN and an Associate RN degree is $2,000.00 a year more...That means I do the EXACT same things and have the same responsibilities as one and only make 2 grand less a year that I will eventually get in an increase with 2 years. The same 2 and more years you break your head for...I am already making my money.

Jazmin in Houston, Texas said: I went to school for medical assistant I waste my time, any body out there just go on for nursing.

I am a cna and I am in school for pharmacy tech and to get hiring in that field you must have medical assistant experience.

Alot of people sleep on what a Medical Assistants capabilities can range. As a Medical Assistant you are hired for a variety of positions in which you are trained for. From front desk to back office. I have been a Medical Assistant for over 8 years and have never had a problem looking for work. I was hired 2 weeks within my intership and have been working ever since. The different experiences that I have been able to place in my resume ranges from, OB/GYN, CEREBRAL PALSEY, and presently I am working at a Cancer Center in NY and have been here for nearly 4 years. Doing everything from, Labs, EKG's, Assisting the Doctors with in office procedures as well as making appointments, verifying insurance and retreiving reports. I make good money(over $36,000 a year) and my benefits are outstanding. So I don't see how the Medical Assistant Field is not profitable.

Ive been a CMA for ten years and love it. Granted, it's not RN salary, but it's very diverse and there's no paperwork involved. For those of you who complain about it, its the type of field that requires you to be proactive, that's all.

Kim in Clinton Township, Michigan said: it is so true ,the response that was made in regards to the spelling not even being correct, before wanting to go to school to become a "perfesional" you need to go back to learn some more skills in your grammer ... even when you become a RN you are going to need to have to be able to read and write.. you will be doing charting and documention on your pts. and" hopefully" as you know these are leagal documents ... maybe the nursing feild isnt really where you need to be .

you can't spell either why you talking noise. go back and re-read what you wrote. you spelled legal wrong and field. re-do honey!!

Ashley in Arlington, Texas said: you can't spell either why you talking noise. go back and re-read what you wrote. you spelled legal wrong and field. re-do honey!!

Thank You Ashley someone finally said it

This goes to Kim don't criticize until you read your own comment.

Monica in New York, New York said: Alot of people sleep on what a Medical Assistants capabilities can range. As a Medical Assistant you are hired for a variety of positions in which you are trained for. From front desk to back office. I have been a Medical Assistant for over 8 years and have never had a problem looking for work. I was hired 2 weeks within my intership and have been working ever since. The different experiences that I have been able to place in my resume ranges from, OB/GYN, CEREBRAL PALSEY, and presently I am working at a Cancer Center in NY and have been here for nearly 4 years. Doing everything from, Labs, EKG's, Assisting the Doctors with in office procedures as well as making appointments, verifying insurance and retreiving reports. I make good money(over $36,000 a year) and my benefits are outstanding. So I don't see how the Medical Assistant Field is not profitable.

Give yourself a pat on the back for $36,000 a yr and you live where????
NY,NY which has the highest cost of living in the US next to LA.,Miami,Chicago. So you probably make on average 22,000 to 30,000 a year compared to other cities. I live in SC I make above average for a CMA in SC average is $24,000.I made 33,000 in 07. I am not saying I hate the profession but that we are not recognized by the majority of medical facilities and medical professional as being as knowledgeable as we are in a wide variety of skills. I too was hired 3 days into my intership at a family practice w/ 7 MDs pediatrician,OB/GYN, Internist,Gen. Surgeon, 2 GPs, and a PA worked their 6 yrs My skills range from doing EKG's, Spirometery,oximetery testing,the setup and maintenance on oxygen concentrators, C-Pap,BiPap machines, started IVs,Assisted in minor surgeries,alcohol breathalyzer,drug screens, immunization, ability to interrupt lab reports I ran the lab.If you are going to school and money is your main objective GO THE EXTRA TIME be an RN BUT if skills are your objective be CMA

Monica in New York, New York said: Obviously you have no idea what you are talking about...AT ALL! I have been a RMA for over 8 years and I also work in a Cancer Center in NY and I make over $36,100.00 a year..If you have math skills that's almost $20.00 an hour with full benefits, 2 and 1/2 weeks paid vacation and 12 sick days. Yes I worked hard to get there and all the other jobs i've had were just a little less then what I was making now. I am making just as much as an LPN less the paperwork and BS. Mind you the difference between an LPN and an Associate RN degree is $2,000.00 a year more...That means I do the EXACT same things and have the same responsibilities as one and only make 2 grand less a year that I will eventually get in an increase with 2 years. The same 2 and more years you break your head for...I am already making my money.

Where are the salary quotes coming from average national salary @ salary.com in NY,NY for
RN is $69,000.....LPN is 54,000.....Medical Assistant is 45,000

droptopchevy59 in Summerville, South Carolina said: Where are the salary quotes coming from average national salary @ salary.com in NY,NY for
RN is $69,000.....LPN is 54,000.....Medical Assistant is 45,000

WEll I JUST LOGGED ON TO THAT SIGHT AND AGAIN WITHIN THE 75TH PERCENTILE IT IS SLIGHTLY OVER 35,000 AS AN MEDICAL ASSISTANT IN NY(ZIP CODE 10016 THAT IS HERALD SQUARE AREA). ALSO WHEN I MENTIONED THE DIFFERENCES WITHIN RN AND LPN THAT IS FOR AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT BETWEEN DEGREES AND EXPERIENCE AND INSTITUTION, YOUR SALARY WITH DIFFER.

THE REALITY IS TO SAY THAT BEING A MEDICAL ASSISTANT IS A WASTE IS BOGUS. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CARREER YOU CHOOSE IT HAS TO BE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT THE EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR IN ORDER TO GET HIRED. SO FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ATTENDED THESE COURSES AND GRADUATED WITH HIGH GRADES AND GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THEIR PROFESSORS,THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM FINDING EMPLOYMENT WITH A DECENT SALARY AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT

I am thinking about training to become a MA. I recently was given some money for college, enough for two years. I was wondering if anyone out there would recommend becoming a MA or is there something else out there that could be more useful with two years of college?

Suzanne in Grand Rapids, Michigan said: I am thinking about training to become a MA. I recently was given some money for college, enough for two years. I was wondering if anyone out there would recommend becoming a MA or is there something else out there that could be more useful with two years of college?

If you can only afford 2 years go for the Associate Degree in Nursing ADN program you can double your salary with online nursing classes as you can afford it by getting a BA nursing or Master degree in nursing go to top of page click on salaries it well show you the difference in salaries for your area. Being MA is good job but there no money in it. I made 33,000 in 2007 as CMA that was just barely getting by for me. When your young 25,000 to 35,000 a year sounds like alot ITS NOT set your sights higher you'll happy you did 15 years from now.

droptopchevy59 in Charleston, South Carolina said: If you can only afford 2 years go for the Associate Degree in Nursing ADN program you can double your salary with online nursing classes as you can afford it by getting a BA nursing or Master degree in nursing go to top of page click on salaries it well show you the difference in salaries for your area. Being MA is good job but there no money in it. I made 33,000 in 2007 as CMA that was just barely getting by for me. When your young 25,000 to 35,000 a year sounds like alot ITS NOT set your sights higher you'll happy you did 15 years from now.

I disagree! In my area the wages for CMA's is steadily going up, I have wonderful benefits including a retirement plan that matches 11% of what I make! Being a CMA is wonderful and you don't have to do all the paperwork an RN does, you get A LOT more hands on. Sure there is definitely a wage difference, but to me I look at it like I spend most of my life at my job and I want to be happy with what I am doing not with the check I bring home every two weeks. As our career becomes more common our wages will steadily go up, especially as they are phasing most LPN's out of the clinic setting.

I agree with droptopchevy59. Go to school to be a Rn in an ADN program. I am a RMA, I make about $13 an hr. I have been at it since 96. I have some friends who made alot more and alot less. It depends on where you are happy. Please do not get into nursing for the money. If you really don't like taking care of people you will be burnt out within two years. I have worked in Peds, Family medicine and an ER. ALL the Nurses that do it for money hate it. If you do it for people and truely care you will be rewarded. No matter how much nurses make it is never enough with all the paper work and political bull crap that you must put up with. I give Rn's all the Kudos that they deserve. The insurance companies make it hard to take proper care of the patients. The big wigs of a HOSPITAL make it almost impossible to take care of night shift patients and day shift just stands around and bitches to evening shift about what night shift didn't do and how hard they have it..... So they only ones that have it easy is dayshift. Evening shift has triple the patients and emergencies and the hospital floors have to take them all. The night shift has 1/3 of the staff and has to take care of all the crazy left overs from evening and dayshift comes in and complains cause they have to bathe and clean (but have triple the staff or quadriple the staff.) The reason I say this is because it is the same in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Texas, Wisconsin and Virginia. Floridia is even worse. These are all the states that I have compared notes with actual nurses or have been to their hospitals. It is not a glamorous job. I would never change in a million years. I only wish I had the time to go back and be an RN.....

I am in school for medical assisting. Idk if I am wasting my money and time cuz I am thinking about going into dental hygene or nursing. I want to find out about more health related careers I can get in besides nursing. But I would do nursing tho.

If you like people and helping it is awesome. I really do love it. You can do like I did. Go for Medical Assisting and see how much you like and enjoy it, then if you do, start taking classes here and there while you earn alittle money or support your self and go for the nursing full force. I needed to see if I could handle school first. Now I keep trying to go back for nursing but it hasn't happened yet. My family is very demanding and not very helpful. I am 41 but I will go to nursing school and be an RN. My kids are getting older & soon I will not let them get in my way. Not in a mean way. (they are 17 & 13) They need to learn to stand on there own two feet. They are not little..... I hope this helped some... Oh, you won't get rich as a medical assistant but you can live on it......

Well I am only 19. I am almost finished with the medical assisting program. I graduate from there in July 2008. I told my dad that I wanted to go to Nursing school after and he said that I don't want to be in more student loan debt and that how am I gonna be able to go to school and work as a medical assistant? In my head Im like people go to school and work. Do they?

And about the 13 yr old, that 13 yr old can't support him or herself. How is the 13 yr old gonna get a job and u have to be at least 16 or 15 to get a job? A 13 yr old cannot fully support themselves. I say at 18 they can.

I was n't saying to support themselves. I just meant my kids want me 24/7 at their side. I think they are old enough to have my other family members help and not need me so much. As for the school loans I doubled up on payments to pay off quicker. I would work and go to school.

Ok ladies, the bottom line is this. Do what makes you happy. If you truly love caring for people on a one on one basis, then Medical Assisting or Nursing is right for you. The true difference is the amount of responsibility that you will encounter. Like I have said before, I have been an RMA for almost 9 years and I am now making exactly $19.81 an hour with opportunity for OT. I get paid every 2 weeks and after taxes I come home with a little less than $1000,00( that includes Full benefits for myself and my entire family). Not to much paper work and I work in a great neighborhood( Times Square in NY). I started in this buisness making $11.50 an hour back in 2000 and paid my dues but have earned a variety of expereinces that has me earning the amount of $ that I earn today. But to me it goes hand in hand with what I love to do and that is being part of a team that provides assistants to patients that is in need of our help from the time they walk into a facility to the time they're done seeing the Doctor and are checked out. So, if caring for people in any capacity(whether it is admissions, reception, secretary, MA, EKG Tech, Sono Tech, Phlebotomy, CNA or Nurse... Love what you do no matter what and just do it!!!!!

MONICA in New York, New York said: WEll I JUST LOGGED ON TO THAT SIGHT AND AGAIN WITHIN THE 75TH PERCENTILE IT IS SLIGHTLY OVER 35,000 AS AN MEDICAL ASSISTANT IN NY(ZIP CODE 10016 THAT IS HERALD SQUARE AREA). ALSO WHEN I MENTIONED THE DIFFERENCES WITHIN RN AND LPN THAT IS FOR AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT BETWEEN DEGREES AND EXPERIENCE AND INSTITUTION, YOUR SALARY WITH DIFFER.

THE REALITY IS TO SAY THAT BEING A MEDICAL ASSISTANT IS A WASTE IS BOGUS. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CARREER YOU CHOOSE IT HAS TO BE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT THE EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR IN ORDER TO GET HIRED. SO FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ATTENDED THESE COURSES AND GRADUATED WITH HIGH GRADES AND GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THEIR PROFESSORS,THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM FINDING EMPLOYMENT WITH A DECENT SALARY AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT

So what would you say to all the many who DID graduate with high grades and great skills who cannot get a job? That they are not trying hard enough? So many will turn down initial job offers because they were appalled to be offered $8 an hour when they had been PROMISED by their school it would be a LOT more. Later they regret not taking that job when no more offers come in. You also wrote that you were hired within 2 weeks into your externship. That doesn't happen to the average student. They are going to be told over and over that they need a year experience. What these hiring people are looking for are MAs they can trust and they know which bad schools there are. If the school has a bad rep,they are not going to want to hire the student,no matter who recommends them. There is an epidemic of MA graduates who got fooled into believing when they signed the loan papers that they were going to have a career in the medical field,and instead are making those monthly loan payments (if they can) with nothing to show for it.

As for everything in your life, they had to do there Homework for the school they were going to. I did. I looked it up on line, consumer reports for business schools, there employment rate... I even spoke to some of there former students who were working to get an insight on what there experience was like at school and there current jobs at the time. You have to be responsibile for you and your future. As far as what I have and what others may have or have not, where you live and your experiences make a difference and I can only speak of what I have done, gone through and what I have and am today. Who else am I going to talk about. The ladies on this sight are asking a general question and I am answering it. They are not targeting a specific Geographic. Where you live makes a big difference and there is no changing that!!!

My school does NOT offer any certification test which means I will have to pay for my own test and register after my externship.

My question is what certification tests did yall take, what website they have available about the certification test, how much will the test be?

Well, under your Medical Assistant Certifcate you are already certified for Phlebotomy, Immunizations, Vital Signs, Medical Terminology,..ETC. But you can get seperate Certifications for Some of them that puts you in as better qualified for the position. What I mean by that is that as an example; I have my NPA( National Phlebotomy Association Certificate) that provides you with a License for Phlebotomy and yes that is a seperate course/test and cost as well($100.00 a year to renew). I find it worth it because the more certificates you may have to put in your resume and that you have under your belt, the more the Employers are seeing how serious you take your status and they know you are willing to go above and beyond what you have studied for. If you can do it, I suggest you do. Go to the website Nationalphlebotomyassociation.com and it will provide you with the information, cost, application that you can download, as well as how to post your resume on their site once you have received your certificate and they help you in your state to see what is available for you in your position. I hope that this information has helped you and Good Luck!

Larry in San Antonio, Texas said: Very true. Like that comment. Thier is a lot of other reasons why that field is stupid. No were not haters it's just the truth.

girl please learn how to spell before you start to say your comments. There was a reason why you weren't hired because you don't know how to SPELL!!!!

I had a medical assistant teacher who tried to say she was certified in phlebotomy. When I asked her through which agency was she certified, she said it was "through" her medical assistant certification. I asked Dennis Ernst of the Center for Phlebotomy Education about that and he said they are NOT one and the same but 2 completely different certifications. Being an MA does not make you a phlebotomist unless you have had specific training in it and most MA programs just skim over what is taught in phlebotomy,horribly so.
I was already certified in it when I entered the MA program, through ASCP. I eventually also got the phleb certification through AMT as well as taking the RMA exam. None of these titles have mattered on my resume. I spent 6 months after becoming a PBT trying to find something and didn't hear back from anyone. Too late I realized, after entering a MA program, that you have to be aggressive and lucky to land something in this state of high unemployment. You have to make a lot of calls and keep making them and show up at labs and HR offices. Unfortunately, not everyone has it in them to "bug" people. One should be able to land a job based on their skills and training, but it doesn't always happen.

I am agree to. I went to Central Florida Institute and they make you to feel like the are the best. I was graduate with honor, perfect attendant. I only know now that the best is to go for LPN or RN.

hmmmm... every healthcare profession has a reason for its inception. MA play a valuable role in healthcare just like lvns and rn's. honestly, i think that MA's wages should be equal to that of CNA wages because both professions arent licensed and MA's go through a little more schooling... either way, i suggest going for you lvn/lpn just because the pay is better and your education counts towards your rn.

I am in school now for medical assisting. I have read some of these comments and I do agree with most of what people are saying. In my honest opinion I think that you really need to look at the subject you are going to school for and ask yourself if that's what you really want to do. Nursing is a field that your heart has to be in, if you don't feel it in your heart then nursing is not for you no matter the title you bare. Every job has its own b s and discremination. Nursing is not all about the money, if that is the only reason you are in nursing then you can hardly call it a career, and that maybe why people are so misserable in that field and have trouble finding work. Different states and cities have better oppertunities for different fields in the medical profession. Sometimes you have to go where the money is because the money wont always come to you. If the field of work you are in is what you really want to do then you have to make it work for you. Put yourself and what you can offer to nursing out there because if an employer don't see you out there shining saying this is what I offer hire me, they wont take what they can't see. You career is what you make it. everybody has their own opinion and not everyone will agree with that and we can't all sit here dissin' eachother for what we think and feel, because it's us against the world, no one will see it your way. We are grown women and men, show the medical profession that you didn't learn all this knowledge to be denied the job that is rightfully yours and can be done by you just as well as anyone else. if you heart is not in what you do, your lack of heart can be the line between life and death for your patients. Remember you wouldn't want someone taking care of your loved one who complains about their pay, their job, and how stupid it is. People get vibes from you and they can tell how you feel about your job. Verbal and nonverbal communication works both ways.

Jazmin in Houston, Texas said: I went to school for medical assistant I waste my time, any body out there just go on for nursing.

Sorry about your bad luck but actually we can do more than LPN can do. We are trained in alot of different areas that LPN's are not..They did not get some of the training we did. EX: phelbotomy,x-rays,E.K.G'S & we are cross-trained to work front and back office.

Wow...you people have been misinformed.

Medical Assistants CANNOT do more CLINICAL work than an LPN. No way, no how.

Your school shouldn't offer you a "certification test". If they do, it's completely bogus as would your "credentials" be.

That's what the American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Medical Technologists associations are for. It costs $95 to register for their certification test, and if you pass, THEN you earn the credentials of being wither a Certified Medical Assistant or a Registered Medical Assistant.

Nursing is nothing like Medical Assisting. Two totally different jobs. The similarity is that we both deal with patients.

Sybil, WOW you have not studied up very well have you??! I have worked in Family Practice, Radiation Oncology (in an outpatient setting, but assisted him in the operating room all the time, and did everything for him in the clinical setting), and now in Urgent Care. I have most definitely been trained to do more than the LPN’s I work with!!! They can’t even draw blood! So I am not sure where you are getting your information! In fact, the hospital I worked for combined the LPN and CNA position to Patient Care Technicians and they make the same amount of money! I know the technical college has had talk of not even continuing the practical nursing program. So... I am sorry it hurts your feelings, but medical assisting is much more versatile, we take more credits, and that’s why employers want to hire us more often than an LPN. I’m not sure if you are talking about your “nursing” skills in “wipe and diap,” but that doesn’t take a rocket scientist, that’s the only difference in our “nursing skills” Sybil! I worked in assisted living too, it’s not hard to help toilet patients, assist with lifts, pass meds, a robot could do it. So as a CMA I may not have “nurse” in my title, but yes, I am considered nursing staff, and anyone with half a brain cell could figure that out!

jonLVN in Cathedral City, California said: hmmmm... every healthcare profession has a reason for its inception. MA play a valuable role in healthcare just like lvns and rn's. honestly, i think that MA's wages should be equal to that of CNA wages because both professions arent licensed and MA's go through a little more schooling... either way, i suggest going for you lvn/lpn just because the pay is better and your education counts towards your rn.

Ok genius, LPN's and CMA's go to school for the same amount of time and in fact CMA's take MORE credits than LPN's... The hospitals are putting LPN's and CNA's in the same category "patient care technicians" and paying them the same here in Wisconsin, because they are one in the same, you are geared more towards hospitals and nursing homes and now the hospitals want to pay you what they pay their aides also. You don't even have to have continuing education, in the long run, as I was told in the beginning of my schooling over 4 years ago, LPN's will be virtually gone. I wouldn't want someone taking care of me that didn't have to have any further education, atleast as CMA's we have to have continuing education!!

Sybil in Detroit, Michigan said: Wow...you people have been misinformed.

Medical Assistants CANNOT do more CLINICAL work than an LPN. No way, no how.

Your school shouldn't offer you a "certification test". If they do, it's completely bogus as would your "credentials" be.

That's what the American Association of Medical Assistants and the American Medical Technologists associations are for. It costs $95 to register for their certification test, and if you pass, THEN you earn the credentials of being wither a Certified Medical Assistant or a Registered Medical Assistant.

Nursing is nothing like Medical Assisting. Two totally different jobs. The similarity is that we both deal with patients.

Oh and P.S. Sybil, it is not bogus if your school is accredited that you sit for a certification test there. You should really get your facts straight! The school this person went to probably wasn't accredited and therefore she wasn't able to sit for the four hour exam there.

I've been a medical assistant for almost 13 years. I've been blessed that I have worked for specialty physicians in the pulmonary, critical care and cardiovascular surgeon sector. I make $20/hr and I know I make about $7-9 more an hour than any other MA within the clinic. I feel I make more because of my hard work, intellect and faithfulness to the physicians. I wish I had went on to get my RN degree but that is not the road I've traveled due to various reasons. But my experience is this: (sorry if this hurts feelings)--most MA's out there, at least where I am at; only look at this profession as a job and really do not have much intellect behind them. I have seen so many "dumb" MA's who give half-ass job performances than I do the RN's and LPN's I work with.

I agree with you Shannon, it's all in how much heart you put into your profession. If you have the intelligence, took your schooling seriously, or just did it for a "job." This is what makes you successful as a CMA or what makes you think "it's a stupid career!" If you don't give your all, why should your employer shell out anything extra for you?

Yes Shannon and Michelle, I agree with you both completely. I have been writing comments on this board for a while and it is good to see that there is finally someone who is on the same page. I just gave my 2 weeks notice to my current job (that I have been happily employed for the last 4 years) because an opportunity came to make even more money, doing what I love at the main hospital!!! My MA skills, my love for the job and my patients and my hardwork all played a vital part for me leaving and advancing at this new position. This year makes nearly 9 years of being an RMA and I have been very satisfied with the carreer that I have choosen for myself. Like I have said in the past, you must do the Homework for whatever school you are thinking of going to, to make sure that they are providing you with the correct classes and certifications( via exams) that you will need to be employed in the field that you had to have a passion for from the gate!!!

Michelle in Eau Claire, Wisconsin said: Oh and P.S. Sybil, it is not bogus if your school is accredited that you sit for a certification test there. You should really get your facts straight! The school this person went to probably wasn't accredited and therefore she wasn't able to sit for the four hour exam there.

My facts are straight. Perhaps if you actually read what I wrote, you would have seen that.

Your school CANNOT give you a VALID certification test. You will NOT be a Certified Medical Assistant or a Registered Medical Assistant if you take said test from your SCHOOL. Only the AAMA or the AMT can proctor such an exam.

All other certification tests are bogus.

you all really need to do you research about these programs before you just sign up for it.I strongly agree with sybil if you can check the internet to read this crap you can check on the program you signed up for before you wasted all that damn money. i just finshed my course today an im happy where im at because i got my foot in the door with what it is that i really want to do!!!

im just trying to find a career in the nursing/medical field and i have been looking at many different websites trying to get information on what my next step should be...i really dont have to much of anything...im in high school right now and i have a 3.0 weighted and a 3.5 unweighted gpa i do really good in school so i know im up for the work...i just dnt know what the next step is...and if u dnt mind can you break down some of the medical language...thanks ohhh i want it to be in pediatrics

Sybil,
Get it RIGHT!!! A school CAN proctor an exam if they are accredited!!! I took my exam at CVTC where I graduated from, my teachers proctored it because our school is accredited!!! So maybe you should re-read!!

Firstly, Michelle, you need to calm down. I'm simply giving people advice on the shady schools out there that "certify" their MAs. All of those fly-by-night schools are "accredited".

Secondly, I am a MEMBER of the AAMA.

Thirdly, by the way you worded it, you made it out as if your school gave you their OWN certification test (as in, one your teachers complied it).

The school I attended is accredited through CAAHEP. I googled your school, and it too, is accredited through CAAHEP.

In order to take the AAMA test, you must be a graduate of either a CAAHEP school or an ABHES school. There are sites ASSIGNED by the AAMA for the tests. People from the AAMA PROCTOR THEIR OWN TEST. You must apply for the tests by sending in an application ALONG WITH OFFICAL TRANSCRIPTS. You wait. You get a letter in the mail stating you can take the test if all qualifications are met.

www.aama-ntl.org/becomeCMA/apply_CMA.aspx
That is a list of the testing sites for the October 2008 AAMA certification test.

If you are certified through the AMT (which means your school has to be accredited through either ABHES or CAAHEP or you have 5 years experience as an MA), it is STILL the AMT giving you the test. NOT YOUR SCHOOL. It isn't your school's test, it's the AMT'S TEST. You still have to send in offical transcripts and do the whole song and dance.

Firstly Sybil, I don't need to calm down, you need to learn how to read. For the eightieth time MY TEACHER PROCTORED THE TEST because our school is accredited! My last TWO responses said that if you could read! So don't talk to me like I am in first grade. I know the ins and outs of my profession, thanks for trying to belittle me though! I don't know if you want a cookie for being a member of the AAMA???? I guess I get one too then. Read what you are responding to before you start writing like a smart ass.

Why couldn't you have patiently pointed out that your teacher was able to proctor an exam because she is a certified member of whatever agency the test was through? Anyone is able to proctor at an accredited school as long as they have those credentials,but not everybody knows that. You don't have to get rude because someone is unaware of it.

If you would pay attention my messages all say that!!!! I think I have written 3 or 4 times now that I went to an accredited college and my teacher proctored my exam, what is so hard to understand about that? It's really not a hard concept!

Monica in New York, New York said: Yes Shannon and Michelle, I agree with you both completely. I have been writing comments on this board for a while and it is good to see that there is finally someone who is on the same page. I just gave my 2 weeks notice to my current job (that I have been happily employed for the last 4 years) because an opportunity came to make even more money, doing what I love at the main hospital!!! My MA skills, my love for the job and my patients and my hardwork all played a vital part for me leaving and advancing at this new position. This year makes nearly 9 years of being an RMA and I have been very satisfied with the carreer that I have choosen for myself. Like I have said in the past, you must do the Homework for whatever school you are thinking of going to, to make sure that they are providing you with the correct classes and certifications( via exams) that you will need to be employed in the field that you had to have a passion for from the gate!!!

Congratulations Monica! I am happy for you that you found something that you are going to enjoy and that is also a better opportunity money wise. Funny you should say that, the same thing just happened to me! More hours, better pay, and I get to do everything we, as CMA's, are trained to do. I feel like a student again back in the draw station relearning my lab draws, it's been 4 years since I have had to draw blood, but regardless the clinic I work for makes you go through their training. Well just wanted to tell you congratulations! I know I am just thrilled to think I have possibly finally found my home :)