CMA vs RN: Differences in Salary, Education, and More
Every medical professional carries a vital role in the healthcare system. The healthcare system works as a chain where every position aids the other to ensure the best outcome possible for every patient.
When speaking about medical professionals, registered nurses and certified medical assistants certainly play a huge part. Registered nurses contribute in administering medication, monitoring patients, or even supervising the rest of the nursing staff. On the other hand, medical assistants prepare patients for examination, take medical histories, and change wound dressing or remove stitches.
This guide presents the differences in roles, pay, and job outlook of a medical assistant vs nurse. If you want to learn more, keep reading!
What is a Certified Medical Assistant?
At this point, you may wonder what does CMA stand for in medical terms? CMA stands for Certified Medical Assistant who is a medical professional that performs administrative and routine clinical tasks in various medical settings.
A CMA's role is separated into two independent positions in many health environments. The primary function is a full-time administrative medical assistant solely responsible for office tasks. The second role is a full-time clinical medical assistant who serves solely as a medical support person.
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What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed medical professional who works in various medical and community settings, providing hands-on care. Registered nurses are in charge of giving and coordinating high-quality direct patient care.
They also give information about diseases, illnesses, and health conditions to patients, families, and the general public. In other words, RNs are licensed medical professionals who collaborate with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that everything runs smoothly in the patient's care.
Medical Assistant vs RN: Main Differences
Registered nurses (RNs) and certified medical assistants (CMAs) perform essential healthcare tasks. CMAs and RNs work alongside licensed doctors and other medical professionals and are often in charge of general patient treatment and care.
While these two positions have some similarities, they also have some differences. Specific everyday duties, workplace settings, and the prerequisites required to work in such positions are some of the primary medical assistant vs RN differences.
Differences in job responsibilities and roles
Medical assistants assist doctors and other medical professionals with tests, procedures, and office administration. They also provide basic patient care, such as taking vital signs and aiding everyday activities.
A certified medical assistant's daily job responsibilities include:
Preparing patients for examinations;
Administering medication;
Taking medical histories;
Performing electrocardiograms;
Changing wound dressings or removing stitches;
Collecting samples for lab testing and more.
On the other hand, registered nurses are solely concerned with the care of patients. Unless they are in a management position, RNs do not perform many administrative tasks. Registered nurses can carry out activities such as starting intravenous lines and managing advanced medications such as chemotherapy in addition to providing basic patient care.
Other daily job responsibilities of registered nurses include:
Administering medications and treatments;
Implementing and evaluating patient care plans;
Monitoring patients for side effects and reactions;
Educating patients about treatment and care plans;
Assisting in medical procedures as needed;
Operating and monitoring medical equipment;
Supervising nursing assistants, licensed practical and vocational nurses, and nursing students.
Differences in the scope of work
Besides the differences in job responsibilities and roles, registered nurses and medical assistants differ in their scope of work as well.
Registered nurses perform their duty under their licenses, allowing them to execute a broader range of tasks than medical assistants. On the other hand, CMAs cannot carry out their responsibilities without the direct oversight of another medical professional.
Moreover, a CMA may be responsible for creating the personnel schedule and calling patients to follow up on their appointment times in an organizational setting. RNs, on the other hand, do not work solely in an administrative nature; they often play a more clinical role, such as assisting physicians with patients.
Differences in salaries
Between these two medical positions, we can notice quite a difference in how much they get paid. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2020, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $75,330. The lowest 10% of workers made less than $53,410, while the top 10% earned more than $116,230.
On the other hand, medical assistants earn a lower yearly salary compared to the registered nurse position. In May 2020, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $35,850, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10% of employees earned less than $26,930, while the top 10% earned more than $50,580.
Differences in job outlook
When it comes to the job outlook, both these medical positions have a great exponential growth rate, but we can notice a more significant rate for medical assistants.
The employment rate of registered nurses is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. In addition, about 194,500 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
However, the employment rate of certified medical assistants is projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. About 104,400 new jobs are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Medical Assistant vs RN: Education and Licensing
Another aspect where RNs and CMAs differ is the education level required that each position requires. A CMA generally requires a one-year post-secondary certificate, whereas a registered nurse typically requires two to four years of education. CMA certification is optional, but nurses must be licensed by law, and some pursue accreditation in specialty areas like pediatrics, oncology, or gerontology.
Education pathway to becoming a medical assistant
Medical assistants usually complete post-secondary education programs. These programs are provided at vocational schools, community colleges, technical schools, and universities and take one year to complete. Such programs typically result in the awarding of a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer two-year associate's degree programs. All programs include classroom and laboratory components, including anatomy and medical terminology classes.
However, some medical assistants have just a high school diploma or equivalent and learn through on-the-job training. Students in high school who want to be medical assistants should consider taking biology, chemistry, anatomy, and possibly business and computer courses to succeed in the field.
Licensing requirements for CMA
Most of the states do not require medical assistants to have a certification. Employers may, however, tend to hire certified medical assistants.
Several organizations provide certification. To be qualified, an applicant must pass an exam and have taken one of several paths for each certificate. Among these paths are graduation from an accredited program and work experience.
Medical assistants with the CMA certification must renew their licenses every few years by completing continuing education credits. Additionally, medical assistants who obtain their certifications have the option of continuing their education to advance in the field. A CMA, for example, can continue their education by enrolling in a bachelor's or accelerated nursing associate program, where their prior knowledge and experience will benefit them.
Education pathway to becoming a registered nurse
If you are looking to become a registered nurse (RN), you must at least obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), followed by successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam. However, suppose you are looking for better pay and more job responsibilities. In that case, you can choose to obtain an associate degree (ADN) in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.
An associate degree in nursing takes two years to complete covers nursing fundamentals, and it is the quickest path to becoming an RN. However, a faster way of becoming a registered nurse is following an accelerated BSN program, which allows people with a current bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field to graduate in as little as one year.
On the other hand, the BSN degree that takes four years to complete offers extensive education in various disciplines, as well as training in leadership, interpersonal communication, and clinical nursing.
Licensing requirements for RN
Registered nurses need to have a nursing license issued by the state in which they work. Nurses have to graduate from approved nursing programs and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed.
Students can apply for licensure and register for the NCLEX-RN about six weeks before graduation. This computerized test includes at least 75 questions, and you'll have up to six hours to complete it.
Can a medical assistant become a registered nurse?
CMAs can advance to the level of a registered nurse. As previously stated, additional schooling and certifications are required, which take two to four years to complete. While CMAs may be familiar with the fundamentals of nursing care, they lack the advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology knowledge that registered nurses have; therefore, it is required to complete an accredited program.
After completing an accredited nursing program, individuals take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). To earn the state's board of nursing license, you must pass the exam.
To Wrap Up
There is no win between medical assistant vs rn; both play a crucial part in the medical field. These two positions fulfill their responsibilities and aid each other to guarantee an excellent outcome for each patient.
If you are a current medical assistant leveling up to a registered nurse may seem challenging since it will require more years of education and practice. However, this is a step worth taking since such advancement in your carrier will bring you many other benefits.