Ok Mama's, I'm feeling a bit lost lately. I went to college to become a CMA. Certified Medical Assistant. When I first started my program they talked about how great of an area it was to get into because more and more health practices were going to be going to most CMA's. Well I graduated in April, got certified in May, and have yet to find a job. I have been looking since March, have had a few interviews, but no call backs. I'm currently living with my mom with my two dd's. She recently suggested I look at going back to school to become a RN. I've thought about it before, and figured I would get a job as a CMA and then maybe consider school in the future. Well since I've had no luck with the job hunt, she brought up school again. So I researched a few schools, have found out when they start, what I need to do to apply etc.. So I told my mom this last night and she said not to get a head of myself because that's not what I had decided to do yet. Well yeah it kind of is. I feel I will eventually have more luck finding a job as a RN than as a CMA. Yes it is a 4 yr program, but I am bound and determined to find a way to make it all work. She is the one who suggested I look into going back to school, but now it seems she's trying to talk me out of it. I just don't know what to do now. I was really getting excited about the thought of continuing on my education.
Just a side note, I do plan on getting financial aid and grants, not in anyway asking my mom in anyway for money for school, as she is helping enough financially with letting us live with her.
I say leave mom some what out of this. Go to the school and meet with someone and talk everything over with them. Some times you just need this outside person to help you gain a better insight to what you want to do.
I think you need to talk to your mom about your decisions. Especially if your decision involves her in the way of support, babysitting, living arrangements, etc. Hard to leave someone "somewhat out" of your plans if your plans are going to have direct effects on them!
I agree with the RN plan--I know lots of moms who are nurses and it's a high-paying, flexible scheduled option for a mom career.
Good luck!
I worked for a vocational school that offered MA programs as well as degree programs. I know a lot of the students that attened did not get jobs. I also know they make it sound easy, when it's not. Don't just limit yourself to the MA title. There are a lot of jobs that require your same exact training but are not listed as an MA position. Make sure you fine tune your interview skills and answers. Search the web to do so. Make sure your interview attire is appropriate (I always went in solid color scrubs).
Those are just a few suggestions to look at, they were also the biggest reasons why students didn't get hired...anywhere. Some of the tiniest details are seriously what get MA's hired because it's so competitive.
Gong to school for RN is very, very hard. A lot of those programs do not give any leeway for being sick, taking days off, your kids getting sick, missing tests/quizzes, not having reliable transportation for your clinicals, etc. Thats just 1 aspect of it. Not to mention a lot of schools can drop you if your grade level falls.
I have a friend right now who is in the middle of her clinicals, with 2 semesters to go until she's done who got pink eye. Pink eye is highly contagious, and she has a dr's note, AND you can tell because she looks horrible. The school may not let her make up what she has missed, and even if they do she will be out of her house for almost a 24 hr block to make it up, doing rotations n early AM till late PM. If they refuse to let her make it up, her graduation is delayed. I should note that is at a community college, and most schools that offer package programs (no pre req's requires, and its an "all at once") may be eligible to drop you from the program for missing time.
Once you have medical training, it is easy to advance with a little bit of school. For instance it is easier to go from LVN (LPN) to RN as opposed as going from MA to RN. So here's what I would do. I would go to my local community college (not a school that offers an all at once program), and I would meet with a career counselor. I would discuss all your feelings, and what you truely want. They will be able to guide you to make the right choices. Maybe look into becoming a licensed phlebotomist, and LVN (LPN), X-ray tech, US tech, Paramedic, etc. There's a million options.
I also wanted to add that package programs are quicker then community college, but are anywhere from 10% - 40% higher in costs...grants are great if you qualify, loans you have to pay back.
This is just all my personal experience working for a private college that offers various programs (MA, DA, LVN, RN) and being in the medical field for 9 years. If you have any questions please feel free to message me. Hang in there!
Added: I just wanted to add I am not discouraging you from being an RN at all. I think its a great career, and I am working my way there myself. I just want you to be fully informed before you jump into that program. And you should be fully informed about the schools and their policies before choosing one. =)
Your mom probably would like to see you bringing in an income and going to school it sounds like to me. She is probably concerned that you will be living with her for another 4 years......
I would continue with your job search as the medical field is hiring all of the time. Once you land a job a lot of times they will even help and encourage you through more schooling. Find out what online classes you can take while prepping for RN school, look into receiving grants as that would be income you could give your mom for allowing you to live in her home.
Congratulations on what you have behind your belt so far! Keep up the good work!
okey, dokey...here's the scoop from my family: one niece graduated as an RN in December & did not find a job until May. Another niece graduated as an RN in May & is still looking for a job. Both of these girls graduated from a nursing college in conjunction with a St Louis community college.
By contrast, I know a girl who just graduated as an RN from a MO state university & had job offers PRIOR to graduation. I know another girl who's graduating in Dec from the same college, & she already has several offers lined up. It truly seems to me that the schooling makes ALL the difference! Please be very careful in your choice of schools!
Oh, & my nieces both worked their way thru RN school....working as medical assistants at a local nursing home.....working evenings & weekends. It was a tough haul!
Where are you looking for jobs? I am a healthcare recruiter. I do know Certified Medical Assistants are more needed in physician practices and clinics. Hospitals may hire CMA's in a Phlebotomist role or ED Tech position. RN is always a good profession to consider. If you do decide to go back for RN school, make sure you chose one that is accredited and has strong clinical affiliations. Currently, there is an overwhelming amount of people who want health care careers, and with the economy, the positions are not turning over like in the past. Many professionals are working full time to support their families and are not retiring. We had a RN Residency program this year, and received over 400 applicants and could only fill 24 spots. However, once this economy bubble bursts, we will be in a worse nursing shortage than before. Have you considered volunteering at a hospital or clinic too, to get your foot in the door?
it's a shame you can't find work as a CMA, but since that's your reality, school is a good option. have you looked into financing?
i doubt your mom is trying to talk you out of school, she's probably just trying to steady you up and make sure you've thought things through.
CMAs are a hot item right now, so you may need to market yourself more efficiently. have you had your resume reviewed by a professional? have you practiced your interviewing skills? is there something about you that would make potential employers leery?
i know when my kids are pondering big life changes like this i do try and talk them through the thought process. it IS a big deal to take on the burden of college loans if you're not really committed and mature enough to take it on. especially....erm.....if your mom is going to co-sign. and if you're living with her, and plan to be there throughout your schooling, it's not out of line for her to be concerned about how your long-range planning is going to work out.
if being an RN is a real goal for you, then her asking some reasonable questions wouldn't be enough to derail you and have you second-guessing it all now, kwim?
khairete
S.
My thought is to do both if you can. Still look for a CMA position and work on the RN program at the same time? Seems like that may make you more marketable. Good luck!
I would definitely go with the RN. I hate to say it but a lot of the schools that do degrees like CMA will lie about how easy it is to find a job. I recently read something about this and how many are being investigated for fraudulent claims. There are so many opportunities out ther for RNs.
