At ACI Medical & Dental School, we train our students for in demand careers in the healthcare field. With jobs in the medical and dental fields growing at a much faster rate than other professions and more positions than employers can fill, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in healthcare.
With so many possible career paths to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. In our Career Comparison blog series, we’ll look at some different healthcare positions so you can make an informed choice. In this post, we’ll compare the Medical Assistant vs. Registered Nurses (RN).
What is the Difference Between Medical Assistants and Registered Nurses (RN)?
While these careers involve working with other healthcare professionals to help patients, beyond that they are very different jobs.
Job Descriptions and Responsibilities
A Medical Assistant, also known as a Patient Care Tech in a hospital setting, is a flexible member of a healthcare team with a wide range of responsibilities. Medical Assistants work with physicians, nurses, and other professionals to perform various patient care duties, including clinical and administrative tasks.
The responsibilities of a Medical Assistant include, but are not limited to:
- Performing EKGs and phlebotomy procedures
- Assisting doctors in physical exams and minor surgeries
- Taking patients’ vital signs, height and weight measurements
- Dressing wounds and administering medications
- Sterilizing medical instruments and preparing examination rooms
- Updating patient electronic health records (EHR)
- Front office duties including answering phones and scheduling appointments
- Administering injections
- Assisting with basic patient hygiene
- Educate patients on various health conditions
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Most registered nurses work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some registered nurses oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.
The responsibilities of a Registered Nurse include, but are not limited to:
- Turning or repositioning bedridden patients
- Answering patients’ calls or bells
- Feeding patients and recording food intake
- Cleaning rooms and bed linens
- Helping with basic hygiene such as shaving, brushing teeth, and combing hair
- Observing and reporting on patient health to doctors and other nurses
- Provide bedside care for sick and injured patients
- Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries
Work Environment
Medical Assistant and Registered Nurse jobs differ in terms of their workplace and schedule.
- A Medical Assistant can work in a variety of healthcare facilities including doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals. While their schedule will vary depending on their workplace, they can have the opportunity for a more standard 9 to 5 work week.
- Registered Nurses work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, assisted living facilities, and home health care. They can also work as home health aides or in hospice. Registered Nurses tend to work long hours and, depending on their workplace, might be required to be on call any time of the day or night.
Job Outlook
Both of these healthcare jobs have a promising outlook over the next decade, growing significantly faster than positions in other fields:
- Medical Assistant jobs are projected to grow 23% between 2018 and 2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Registered Nurse jobs are projected to grow 12% between 2018 and 2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Education Requirements
Both of these positions require a minimum of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED), but from there they differ in the amount of education required.
- At ACI Medical & Dental school, students can be certified to become a Medical Assistant in just 4 to 5 months, with both day and evening classes available.
- Becoming a Registered Nurse requires dedication and time. Nursing programs are typically broken down into 2-year and 4-year degrees.
Medical Assistant Certification in Monmouth County, NJ
If you feel that the Medical Assistant career is right for you, contact ACI Medical & Dental School today. By completing our Medical Assistant Certification Program with EKG, phlebotomy and patient care technician certifications, students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to take on the responsibilities of a Clinical Medical Assistant in just four to five months.
Classes are starting soon! To learn more about these exciting new career opportunities and take the next step towards an in demand job in a growing industry, call ACI Medical & Dental School today.
