Medical Assistant to LPN

A medical assistant, together with certified nursing assistants and LPNs or licensed practical nurses are in great demand these days. The medical assistant commonly works in doctors’ offices and it has been estimated that by the year 2018, this job will astronomically increase by as much as 62%.

Certified nursing assistants normally work in long-term care medical facilities like nursing homes but they can also be assigned in hospitals. Certified nursing jobs, just like the outlook for medical assistant employment opportunities, has been projected to increase by 18% by the year 2018.

Medical Assistant Programs vs. LPN Programs

A medical assistant-wannabe may formally train at a vocational school or in a community college. There are also junior colleges that offer this program. The medical assistant program normally lasts from 9-12 months depending on the school that you enroll in.

An LPN can also be called an LVN and may acquire training and education in a year up to eighteen months. Just like a medical assistant, a student of an LPN program may also enroll in vocational schools, community colleges or junior colleges.

Naturally, a licensed practical nurse has more responsibilities and duties as compared to a medical assistant. Also, they are paid more. This is why more and more medical assistants are thinking of leveling up by looking for the right medical assistant to LPN programs.

Advancing to Become an LPN

A medical assistant is in high demand nowadays but the opportunities, the pay package and benefits for an LPN are much higher this is why the lure to transfer from medical assistant to LPN has risen astronomically in the past few years.

At the start of their careers, medical assistants are employed in doctor’s offices, urgent cares and clinics. Their duties may include taking patient histories, phlebotomy, recording and monitoring vital signs, administering medications and injections, coding, billing and many clerical duties.

Those who choose to further their nursing careers can cross train and take additional academic courses that will widen their nursing expertise. Cross training is a way to transfer from medical assistant to LPN. This is quite common in allied health care professions so more medical assistants are thinking of becoming an LPN soon.

Medical Assistant to LPN – Transitioning

LPN also called a licensed practical nurse or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is involved with patient care and most often in nursing homes, hospital settings, private homes, clinics, and group homes. Additional education is needed if you want to become an LPN from being a medical assistant.

The biggest difference between the two professions is that an LPN cares for patients that have been injured, ill or convalescent. They can also take care of disabled persons in the above-mentioned medical facilities. Unlike a medical assisting profession, being an LPN requires a license.

In order to transition from medical assistant to LPN, you should study an LPN program and be able to complete all the requirements that are set by the nursing school that you attend. Also, an application for license is required. You can do this by successfully passing the LPN program and then taking the NCLEX-PN test. As soon as you get your license, you can now legally alter your profession from medical assistant to LPN.