Difference Between a Medical Assistant and a Nurse

If you've been to a hospital, you may have seen nurses and medical assistants. The two professions have their similarities and differences, but both are two completely different jobs. As a nurse, you will be working in medical facilities, like clinics and hospitals, helping to teach and treat patients about different medical conditions. Then the medical assistant is the one that performs admin duties, ensuring that the facility is running properly.

Training

To become a nurse¸ you will have to obtain a nursing degree. Medical assistants can attend a vocational school that offers an accredited program; this can take about a year to finish, sometimes less.



Certificates and Licenses

In order to work as a nurse, you are required to obtain a license before you begin working. Certificates are available for medical assistants, but it isn't necessary to begin working.

Medication Prescriptions

If you are a nurse that holds a master's degree, you are qualified to e a nurse practitioner, which can prescribe medicines to patients. As a medical assistant, you are not allowed to do this.

Who's in Charge?

In most cases, medical assistants work underneath a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or licensed practical nurse.

Work Settings

A large majority of medical assistants (about 62 percent) were reported working in doctors' offices. And a large majority of nurses were reported working in hospitals (59 percent).