Medical Assistant Vs Registered Nurse Compare And Contrast

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According to the chancellor, Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) provides students with college-level preparation for more than 80 careers. According to the BRCC website, two of these careers are medical assistant and registered nurse. While both professions work in healthcare settings these programs differ in terms of wages, educational requirements, and advance opportunities. By examining these factors, we can gain a better understanding of the unique contributions each profession makes in the healthcare industry.
According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, registered nurses earn a median salary of $61,274, which is slightly higher than the median of $27,834 for medical assistants. Students in the medical assistant program are prepared …show more content…

Both the medical assisting and nursing program at BRCC require a brief college education, but the number of course hours vary greatly. The medical assisting program requires only 24 course hours to become certified, whereas the nursing program requires72 course hours. While medical assistants can earn a good living wage, nurses can earn $33,440 more per year on average. Nurses are paid more based on more extensive education and training because of this significant difference in earnings, it is worthwhile to consider the additional courses required to become a nurse. An additional 48 course hours are required for a medical assistant who wishes to advance their career and become a registered nurse. To meet the requirements a medical assessment student must complete three semester credit hours. While this may appear to be a lot of work, the impact on salary and opportunities for advancement could be …show more content…

While both professions offer fulfilling careers in the healthcare industry, there are significant differences in wages, educational requirements, and advancement opportunities. Registered nurses earn a median salary of $61,274, which is substantially higher than the median salary of medical assistants. Additionally, the nursing program requires 72 course hours, compared to just 24 for the medical assistant program. However, medical assistants can advance their careers by pursuing additional education and training, such as becoming a registered nurse or pursuing a bachelor's degree in fields such as radiology technology, medical billing and coding, or nursing. For those who choose to become registered nurses, there are even more opportunities for career advancement, such as becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse manager. Ultimately, the healthcare field offers limitless opportunities for growth and development, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a fulfilling