Medical Assistant to Registered Nurse

If you are a medical assistant (MA) looking for a new career in healthcare, with a higher salary and more autonomy, one of your options is transitioning from medical assistant to registered nurse (RN). Nursing is a growing field, and you can become a nurse in two years with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) degree. This guide tells you about both careers and can help you decide on whether to become a medical assistant or a nurse and how to make the transition from medical assistant to RN.

Medical assistants support physicians and nurses in clinics, primary care offices, and hospitals. They handle billing, patient records, and scheduling, along with some clinical tasks. Students looking to enter the healthcare field quickly might consider working as a medical assistant, since medical assistant jobs require only a diploma.

On a given day, medical assistants complete a combination of clinical and administrative tasks. When a patient comes in, a medical assistant takes down patient history, records personal information, and takes notes for the doctor on duty. They may conduct some preliminary tests such as measuring blood pressure, temperature, and pulse. If needed, the medical assistant may take blood samples, give injections, or administer medication.

However, a medical assistant’s scope of work depends largely on their job title and employer. Administrative medical assistants answer phones, schedule appointments, and fill out insurance paperwork. Clinical medical assistants perform different tasks depending on state regulations; they may draw blood, conduct laboratory tests, or clean medical instruments. Ophthalmic, optometric, and podiatric medical assistants help ophthalmologists, optometrists, and podiatrists, respectively. These professionals work primarily in physicians’ offices, though many also work in hospitals and outpatient care centers. Through the table below, you can learn more about the top employers of medical assistants, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Students should understand the differences in the paths to becoming a medical assistant vs a nurse. Aspiring medical assistants must first satisfy education expectations for the MA field. Most states do not enforce any specific educational requirements, so students can enter the profession through many paths. Medical assistants often earn a postsecondary diploma or certificate after earning their high school diploma or GED certificate. Students can complete a medical assistant diploma or certificate in roughly one year at a community college, vocational or technical school, or university. Some students pursue a medical assistant associate degree, which takes two years to complete and might lead to more job opportunities than a certificate.

While some medical assistants land a job directly out of high school, employers usually prefer applicants who completed a postsecondary program. Medical assistant diploma and associate programs teach students about anatomy, medical terminology, and record keeping.

While states usually do not require medical assistants to become licensed, employers may prefer certified medical assistants. Many organizations offer medical assistant credentials. For instance, through the American Association of Medical Assistants, students can become a certified medical assistant. Additionally, American Medical Technologists offers registered medical assistant certification. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam and meet education and work experience requirements.

Medical assistant jobs are projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) jobs, by comparison, are projected to grow by 9% during the same period, according to the BLS, and RN jobs also by 9% (BLS). The median annual salary for a medical assistant is $37,190, considerably below the BLS reported median annual salary for an RN of $77,600.

Through the table below, you can learn how location might affect salaries for these professionals.

Some medical assistants choose to become LPNs before completing the requirements to apply for RN licensure. LPNs administer basic medical care by changing dressings, monitoring vital signs, and listening to patient concerns. In the following sections, you can learn more about LPN responsibilities and how to become an LPN.

Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses enjoy more responsibility than MAs, but less than RNs. They work under the supervision of RNs and doctors to provide basic healthcare. They keep records, inform patients about treatments, and perform simple medical tasks.

Daily duties of LPNs vary depending on the nurse’s employer and specialty. According to the table below, which lays out the largest employers of LPNs as per BLS data, almost 40% of LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities. These nurses may administer medicines and help patients dress, bathe, and eat. Many LPNs also work in hospitals where they support RNs, physicians, and surgeons. In hospitals, LPNs may start intravenous drips or check blood pressure. LPNs who work in physicians’ offices might handle patient health records. Typical duties also depend on experience level; in some states, experienced LPNs can supervise other LPNs and medical assistants.

Aspiring nurses need to take several steps before becoming an LPN. First, students need to research education requirements in their state and complete an approved training program. Students can pursue an LPN diploma or certificate at a technical school, community college, high school, or hospital. LPN programs take around one year to complete and include a clinical component. In LPN programs, students learn about healthcare, pharmacology, biology, and chemistry. Medical assistants usually need to complete additional education to become an LPN, since LPN programs boast coursework and clinical training beyond the scope of most medical assistant programs.

After completing a state-approved LPN training program, students can begin the path to licensure. Students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), a standardized test developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The exam covers topics such as pharmacology, health promotion, health maintenance, and infection control. Along with the exam, state licensing boards commonly require clinical hours, specific coursework, and an application. Aspiring LPNs often must agree to a criminal background check. Be sure to carefully research licensing requirements in your state, since expectations vary.

LPN jobs are growing faster than the average job growth rate, with a projected increase of 9% between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS. This is the same rate that the BLS projects for RN jobs, but lower than the 18% that the BLS projects for medical assistants. The median annual salary for all LPNs is $48,070, but the salary varies widely based on education.

RNs provide direct care to patients in many settings. They know how to operate medical devices and possess a strong knowledge of medications, health conditions, and treatments. Students might consider becoming an RN over an MA or LPN, since RNs enjoy more responsibility and higher salaries.

RNs coordinate patient care, perform holistic assessments, and make critical decisions. They may also dress wounds and collaborate with doctors to prepare for surgeries. Additionally, they communicate with patients and families to provide emotional support.

An RN’s specific responsibilities vary depending on their specialty and workplace. Some nursing students concentrate in neonatal care, mental health nursing, emergency room care, or another area. These specialized nurses complete different daily tasks than nurses in a community clinic or doctor’s office. The duties of an RN also differ based on the size of their healthcare facility. RNs at large hospitals and clinics might supervise lower-level employees, while nurses at smaller facilities may take on more administrative duties.

The table below outlines as per BLS some of the largest employers of nurses in the U.S. Hospitals employ the most RNs, followed by ambulatory healthcare services and residential care facilities.

Though licensing requirements vary by state, all aspiring RNs must complete a state-approved training program. Students can opt for either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Both types of programs cover topics like anatomy, biology, nutrition, chemistry, and physiology. In addition, both associate and bachelor’s programs include a supervised clinical component. However, unlike associate nursing programs, bachelor’s programs explore topics like communication, critical thinking in nursing, community health, and leadership. While RNs can find work with either degree, many employers require or prefer a bachelor’s degree for RN positions. Associate programs take two years to complete, while bachelor’s programs take four years.

In order to become an RN, students must become certified through their state’s licensing board. At minimum, candidates must graduate from an approved program and pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure. The NCLEX-RN costs $200 and tests students’ knowledge of areas such as risk reduction, pharmacology, and care management. Some states also require a criminal background check or continuing education courses. Aspiring nurses should familiarize themselves with the licensing and renewal requirements in their state.

RNs earn a median $77,600 annually and the BLS projects 9% job growth between 2020 and 2030. This is the same as the 9% that the BLS projects for LPN job growth, and considerably lower than the 18% job growth that the BLS projects for medical assistants.

Because of the growth in the U.S. healthcare sector, there is steady growth in nursing and medical assistant jobs. RN jobs offer higher salaries, considerably above the national median salary of $45,760 and the median annual salary for LPNs is also above the national median, while the median medical assistant job earns somewhat less. While medical assistants earn less than RNs, the process to become a medical assistant takes less time than earning an ADN or bachelor’s degree.

Page last reviewed September 7, 2021