Medical assistants and registered nurses perform vital tasks in the healthcare system. Typically, the two spend a lot of time with patients taking vitals, updating records, and educating patients about medications, treatment, etc. Although there are similarities between registered nurses and medical assistants, numerous differences exist in their education, licensing requirements, roles and responsibilities, salaries, and certification.
Education and Licensing
Medical assistants complete post-secondary education programs in technical schools, community colleges, or vocational schools, which mainly entail administrative training and basic medical education. A medical assistant’s certified program usually takes one year to complete. However, some medical assistants only have a high school diploma or equivalent. In such cases, these medical assistants learn via on-the-job training. Although medical assistants are not legally obligated to have a certification, some employers do. Medical assistants can pursue their licensing via the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
To become a registered nurse, you must have an Associate Degree in Nursing, which takes two years, although most employers prefer nurses with bachelor’s degrees, which take four years to complete. Either way, nurses must possess a nursing license issued by their state. Therefore, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to be registered/licensed.
https://nursepractitionerlife.com/how-to-pass-your-family-nurse-practitioner-certification/Roles and Responsibilities
Medical assistant usually performs administrative and clinical tasks. Typically, a medical assistant is required to perform administrative tasks like scheduling patient appointments and answering phones. It is important to understand that medical assistants can also perform clinical duties under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed medical doctor. Clinically, medical assistants can take patients’ vitals, educate patients about treatment or medication and assist doctors during an examination. Since medical assistants perform numerous tasks, they work with numerous professionals in healthcare facilities, including nurses, doctors, physicians, laboratory staff, patients, and office managers.
Although nurses also perform administrative tasks, they mainly focus on patient care. Registered nurses are licensed and highly educated to carry out various duties. Registered nurses can write patient healthcare plans with their qualifications, a task medical assistants are not qualified to do. Registered nurses can carry out complicated tests and procedures, advocate for the long-term or immediate needs of their patients and administer medications. Even though the two are directed to perform their duties and responsibilities, nurses perform specialized and complicated tasks. Registered nurses can further their education and get specialized training and certification to offer specialized healthcare services in geriatrics, oncology, labor, delivery, etc.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a medical assistant’s average hourly wage is $18, and the average salary is approximately $37,000 per year. However, the highest-paid medical assistants earn over $51,000 yearly.
Per the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly rate of a registered nurse is $36, with an average yearly salary of $75,000. However, the highest-paid registered nurses earn up to $116,000 annually.
There is no doubt that medical assistants and nurses play crucial roles in providing healthcare services. However, it is important to understand similarities and differences, especially if you want to enroll in a college.
References
https://www.eaglegatecollege.edu/blog/medical-assistant-vs-registered-nurse/
https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/difference-between-medical-assistant-nurse.html
https://fvi.edu/nursing-curriculum/medical-assisting-work/medical-assistant-vs-registered-nurse-differences/
https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/rn-to-bsn/careers/medical-assistant-vs-registered-nurse/
