While being a medical assistant can be incredibly rewarding work, there are a number of reasons why someone might consider transitioning from medical assistant to registered nurse. A larger yearly salary is one of the main reasons, but registered nurses also benefit from more specialized responsibilities and greater autonomy within their workplace. So, how does someone go about changing their profession from medical assistant to RN? FVI School of Nursing and Technology (FVI) has created this easy how-to guide on going from medical assistant to registered nurse.
Can a Medical Assistant Become an RN?
The answer is yes, a medical assistant can become an RN, but it’s a bit of a process. Like everyone else wanting to become an RN, medical assistants must get an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from a school like FVI.
At our nursing and nursing aide schools in Miami and Miramar and our RN nursing program at Miramar culminate in an ADN and focus on training students in patient care skills and giving them real-world clinical experience. When it comes to clinical experience, medical assistants are definitely at an advantage.
After attending nursing school, medical assistants will have to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). They must pass the exam to become licensed by their state’s board of nursing. Taking NCLEX review courses can help tremendously when it comes to improving test scores.
After obtaining a state nursing license, medical assistants officially become registered nurses and start applying for RN job positions in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. RNs can continue their education to obtain specialized nursing licenses. For example, those who obtained an BSN, can take a master’s degree of nursing (MSN) graduate course to become Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) or Nurse Practitioners (NP).
Medical Assistant to RN – How Long Does It Take?
How long it takes to go from medical assistant to nurse depends on the nursing degree medical assistants pursue. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) will take 2 complete at FVI School of Nursing, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will likely take 4 years. Online associate degree nursing programs are becoming more popular and can be completed at a much faster pace than traditional programs.
Unlike healthcare providers going from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN), there are no accelerated RN bridge programs for medical assistants. Some nursing schools may allow medical assistants to transfer credits for classes they took in their Florida medical assistant training program. This can help slightly accelerate the time it takes to get an RN license.
FVI offers our medical assistant training at both campuses. Enroll in Miami medical assistant school or Miramar medical assistant school to start your medical assistant career today!
FVI School of Nursing and Technology offers an extensive roster of RN nursing programs and NCLEX review courses to help you get your ADN and license. At our nursing and nursing aide school, our expert team of instructors also teach mental health technician classes, pharmacy technician training, phlebotomist aide programs, and medical assistant training programs in Miami and Miramar. Contact us or call 786-574-3350 today to learn more about our healthcare programs and admissions process!
