For aspiring healthcare professionals, the realm of patient care offers a plethora of career paths, each with its unique roles, responsibilities, and educational requirements. Two such critical roles in the healthcare system are that of medical assistants (MAs) and nurses—both vital yet distinctly different in their function within the healthcare continuum. This post aims to elucidate the differences between a medical assistant and a nurse, ensuring that nursing students and those interested in healthcare make informed decisions regarding their future career paths.
Medical Assistants vs. Nurses: Key Differences Explained
Explore the fundamental differences between medical assistants and nurses, including education requirements, job responsibilities, and work settings. Get a clear understanding of how to make informed career decisions in the healthcare field.
Educational Pathways
Medical Assistants:
Typically, MAs can enter the workforce after completing an eight-month to one-year certificate program or a two-year associate degree from a vocational school or community college. These programs cover various subjects, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and administrative and clinical procedures.
Nurses:
The education required to become a nurse is more extensive. To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), one must complete a diploma program that lasts about a year. Registered Nurses (RNs) must earn either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). BSN programs typically take four years to complete and provide a more in-depth study of the nursing field, including leadership and research.
Scope of Practice
Medical Assistants:
MAs perform a hybrid role encompassing administrative and clinical tasks. Their duties may include scheduling appointments, preparing patients for exams, performing basic lab tests, and taking patient histories and vital signs. However, their scope of practice is significantly narrower than that of nurses, and they work under the supervision of a nurse or doctor.
Nurses:
Nurses have a broader scope of practice, including performing medical procedures, administering medications, developing patient care plans, and coordinating with physicians and other healthcare professionals. They play a key role in patient education, advocating for the patient’s needs, and managing overall patient care. RNs, in particular, can perform diagnostic tests, analyze results, operate medical equipment, and contribute to research.
Licensure and Certification
Medical Assistants:
Certification for MAs is not always required but is highly recommended. Several organizations offer certification, including the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologists.
Nurses:
All nurses must be licensed to practice. LPN/LVNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), while RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Additionally, nurses may pursue further specialization and certification in gerontology, pediatrics, or oncology, further expanding their scope of practice and opportunities.
Work Environment
Medical Assistants:
MAs often work in outpatient settings or ambulatory care facilities, such as physician’s offices, clinics, and urgent care centers. Their work schedule is generally more fixed and less likely to include nights, weekends, or holidays.
Nurses:
Nurses have a diverse range of work environments to choose from, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and schools. Due to the nature of nursing care, many nurses work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays.
Career Outlook and Salary
The healthcare field is growing rapidly, and medical assistants and nurses benefit from strong job prospects. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $35,850 in May 2020.
Nursing positions are also expected to grow substantially, with an anticipated increase of 7% for RNs from 2019 to 2029. Nurses tend to earn higher wages, with the median annual salary for RNs at $75,330 in May 2020.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing between becoming a medical assistant and a nurse ultimately depends on your career goals, interests, and the commitment you are ready to make toward education and training. If you are drawn towards administrative and clinical work and are looking for a quicker entry into the healthcare field, becoming a medical assistant may be the right path. On the other hand, nursing might be your calling if you are passionate about patient care, willing to pursue higher education, and are looking for a career with a wide scope of practice and greater autonomy.
Both medical assistants and nurses are indispensable to the healthcare system, each playing a unique and vital role in patient care. Regardless of the path chosen, both careers offer the opportunity to significantly and positively impact the lives of patients and the community.
