What’s the Difference Between a Certified Medical Assistant and a Nurse?

Considering a career in healthcare? You’re not alone. The industry is projected to grow by leaps and bounds in the next decade. But what’s the difference between a certified medical assistant and a nurse?

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Job duties of a certified medical assistant vs a nurse

There are many more similarities than differences between these two important healthcare roles. Both certified Medical assistants (CMAs) and registered nurses (RNs) work closely with patients, providing basic care and support. They also collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care.

That said, there are some key ways in which these two roles differ. One of the most obvious is in terms of education and training. In order to become a CMA, you must complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). RNs must complete an accredited nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Another key difference between CMAs and RNs is in terms of scope of practice. CMAs are trained to perform certain clinical tasks, such as taking patient vital signs and administering injections. RNs have a more expansive scope of practice, which includes tasks such as patient assessment, medication administration, and plan of care development. In some states, RNs also have prescribing authority.

Finally, it’s worth noting that CMAs typically work in outpatient settings such as physician’s offices, while RNs may work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies

So, what’s the bottom line? Both CMAs and RNs play vital roles in the delivery of healthcare services. If you’re interested in working closely with patients to provide basic care and support, either role could be a good fit for you.

Education and training requirements

The education and training requirements for a certified medical assistant (CMA) and a nurse are quite different. A CMA must complete an accredited medical assistant program, which usually takes about one year. During their training, CMAs receive instruction in both clinical and administrative tasks. Upon completion of their program, CMAs must pass a national exam to earn their certification.

Nurses, on the other hand, must complete an accredited nursing program, which typically takes two to four years. In addition to completing coursework in anatomy, physiology, and other medical subjects, nurses must also complete clinical rotations in different areas of nursing. Upon completion of their nursing program, nurses must pass a national licensing exam to earn their RN (registered nurse) designation.

Work settings

The main difference between a certified medical assistant (CMA) and a registered nurse (RN) is their scope of practice. A CMA is trained to perform routine clinical tasks, such as taking patient vital signs and gathering medical history information, while an RN is educated to provide a wider range of patient care services. In most states, CMAs are not licensed and cannot perform certain tasks that are within the scope of practice of licensed nurses, such as administering medications or starting IVs.

Salary and job outlook

The median salary for medical assistants in 2017 was $16.17 per hour, or $33,610 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10% of earners made more than $22.23 per hour, or $46,180 annually, while the bottom 10% of earners made less than $10.65 per hour, or $22,070 annually.

Nurses earn a median salary of $31.48 per hour, or $65,470 annually, according to the BLS. The top 10% of earners made more than $44.96 per hour, or $93,920 annually, while the bottom 10% earned less than $21.26 per hour, or $44,090 annually.

Job prospects for medical assistants are excellent. The BLS projects that employment for medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2016 to 2026 – much faster than the average for all occupations. In comparison, job prospects for nurses are also excellent. The BLS projects employment for nurses will grow by 15% from 2016 to 2026 – also much faster than the average for all occupations.

Skills needed

The skills that are needed for a certified medical assistant (CMA) and a registered nurse (RN) are different. Although both positions require excellent customer service skills, RNs need to have excellent communication, documentation, and critical thinking skills. CMAs need to be able to work well under pressure, have excellent interpersonal skills, and be able to multitask.

Difference in scope of practice

There are several key ways in which the scope of practice for medical assistants and nurses differ. Nurses are licensed health care professionals who have completed either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. In contrast, medical assistants are not licensed health care professionals. They generally have received training through a certificate program that lasts anywhere from a few months to a year.

One of the most significant ways in which the scope of practice for medical assistants and nurses differ is in the ability to prescribe medication. Nurses are licensed to prescribe medication, while medical assistants are not. In addition, nurses can specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or oncology. Medical assistants, on the other hand, generally do not specialize and instead provide general support to physicians across a variety of medical settings.

Autonomy

Autonomy is one of the main differences between a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and a Registered Nurse (RN). A CMA is able to perform tasks independently, whereas an RN must have a physician’s order to start any sort of treatment. This means that CMAs have more responsibility and accountability for their actions.

Other differences include education and training requirements, scope of practice, and average salary. CMAs need to complete an accredited medical assisting program and pass a national certification exam, while RNs must complete an accredited nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The scope of practice for a CMA is much narrower than that of an RN – CMAs are not allowed to administer medications or start IVs, for example. Finally, RNs tend to earn higher salaries than CMAs – the median annual salary for an RN in the US is $70,000, while the median annual salary for a CMA is $30,590.

Job satisfaction

There are many differences between a certified medical assistant and a nurse. Certified medical assistants generally have more job satisfaction than nurses. This is because they have more contact with patients, they are less likely to be responsible for life-threatening decisions, and they have more opportunities to work with other health care professionals. Nurses, on the other hand, generally have more responsibility for patient care and often work longer hours.

Advancement opportunities

The most common question we get asked is what is the difference between a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and a Nurse? Many people are interested in becoming a medical assistant or a nurse, but are unsure of which route to take. Both careers offer many opportunities for growth and advancement, but there are some key differences between the two that you should consider before making your decision.

As a Certified Medical Assistant, you will provide support to physicians and other healthcare professionals in clinical settings. You will be responsible for tasks such as taking medical histories, measuring vital signs, and administering medications. You will also have the opportunity to assist with minor medical procedures, such as giving injections or performing basic lab tests. CMAs typically work in outpatient facilities, such as doctor’s offices and clinics.

Nurses, on the other hand, provide direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. Nurses may also provide support to physicians and other healthcare professionals in clinical settings. Depending on their level of education and experience, nurses may be responsible for tasks such as administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and providing education and support to patients and their families.

Both CMAs and nurses play an important role in the healthcare system. If you are interested in a career in healthcare, both options offer many opportunities for growth and advancement.

Why choose one over the other

There are many similarities between certified medical assistants (CMAs) and registered nurses (RNs), including their dedication to providing excellent patient care. However, there are also some important differences between these two professions. One of the main differences is the level of education and training required. CMAs typically have completed a certificate or diploma program, while RNs must have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Another difference is the scope of practice for each profession. RNs are able to provide a wider range of care than CMAs because they have more education and training. RNs can also work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices, while CMAs are more likely to be employed in physician’s offices or other outpatient settings.

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each profession to decide which one is right for you. Both CMAs and RNs play vital roles in the healthcare system and provide excellent patient care.