[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/medical-assisting-vs-nursing-which-is-right-for-you\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/medical-assisting-vs-nursing-which-is-right-for-you\/","headline":"Medical Assisting vs. Nursing: Which Is Right for You?","name":"Medical Assisting vs. Nursing: Which Is Right for You?","description":"The healthcare industry is always looking for people to join their field, so if you are interested in working with patients, look into the programs at Prism Career Institute. Located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Prism Career Institute offers a medical assistant program and a practical nursing program. They also have day and evening programs","datePublished":"2024-06-24","dateModified":"2024-06-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/author\/nj-am\/#Person","name":"NJ AM","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/author\/nj-am\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Prism Career Institute","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/pci-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/female-nurse-sitting-in-front-of-computer-and-smiling-with-male-nurse-in-background.jpg","url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/female-nurse-sitting-in-front-of-computer-and-smiling-with-male-nurse-in-background.jpg","height":"233","width":"350"},"url":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/medical-assisting-vs-nursing-which-is-right-for-you\/","about":["Medical Assisting"],"wordCount":685,"articleBody":"The healthcare industry is always looking for people to join their field, so if you are interested in working with patients, look into the programs at Prism Career Institute. Located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Prism Career Institute offers a medical assistant program and a practical nursing program. They also have day and evening programs that make it convenient for anyone to pursue their passions. Here, Prism Career Institute discusses the difference between medical assisting vs. practical nursing.How Is Medical Assisting Different From Practical Nursing?If you are interested in medical assisting and practical nursing, you may be wondering how the two differ.Medical AssistantThe role of a medical assistant is to assist doctors and nurses with patients in a healthcare setting. A medical assistant is cross-trained to perform both administrative and clinical duties. Some of the responsibilities of a medical assistant are:Assisting physicians during patient examsCleaning and preparing examination roomsCoding and filling out formsCollecting and preparing specimens for analysis by the laboratoryHandling billing and bookkeepingHelping with prescription refillsExplaining treatment procedures to patientsPerforming laboratory testsPreparing patients for their examsTaking medical historiesTaking vital signsUpdating medical recordsMost medical assistants work in clinic settings or family practice offices and work more traditional eight- to 10-hour shifts. Many medical assistants don\u2019t work weekends or holidays.Practical NursesPractical nurses (PNs) are versatile healthcare professionals capable of various clinical, administrative, and personal care duties. PNs may serve in hospitals, doctor\u2019s offices, nursing homes, government agencies, and similar settings. They work under the direction of physicians or registered nurses (RNs), performing the following tasks and more:Administering medications and vaccinationsTaking vital signsHelping patients with personal care (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.)Changing dressings and bandages, ensuring patients are healing properlyEvaluating the patient\u2019s wellbeing, and reporting any specific needs to medical staffCollecting medical historiesUpdating health recordsPNs can work a rotating shift that includes weekends, nights, and holidays. They may also work 12-hour shifts, depending on the type of healthcare environment.Medical Assisting and Nursing Programs Offered at Prism Career InstituteIf you can\u2019t decide between medical assisting vs. nursing, Prism Career Institute offers both programs and can help students make the best choice. Both programs offer convenient day and evening classes, allowing you to choose which works best for you.Medical Assisting ProgramThe medical assistant program at Prism Career Institute is 40 weeks long and consists of 420 lecture hours, 150 lab hours, and 150 externship hours. Students will take courses in clinical and administrative tasks that include training in the following areas:Anatomy and physiologyClinical proceduresElectrocardiography (EKG)Medical law and ethicsPatient history\/vital signs\/CPRPatient hygiene\/infection controlPharmacologyPhlebotomyProfessional communicationRecords managementPractical Nursing ProgramThe practical nursing program at Prism Career Institute can be completed in about 15 months and includes over 1,500 hours of coursework, including hands-on experience in our training laboratories, and an externship. Some of the courses in the practical nursing program include:Body structure and functionMedical mathMedical terminologyMental healthNursing I, II, and IIIPharmacologyTest-taking strategiesAfter students complete the practical nursing program, they will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).Begin Your Career in Healthcare TodayThe medical assistant and practical nursing programs are offered at all three of Prism Career Institute\u2019s campuses, including Philadelphia, PA, Cherry Hill, NJ, and West Atlantic City, NJ. Daytime and evening options are available for these programs of study, allowing students to choose the path that is right for them.Students at Prism Career Institute gain knowledge through classroom learning, laboratory sessions, and hands-on training in a school environment. We also offer externships and clinical training that provide practical work experience in local healthcare settings. This helps students maintain a competitive edge when it comes time to enter the work world.Obtain the skills you need to begin your journey toward a career as a medical assistant or nurse. Consider the training programs at Prism Career Institute. Contact us to learn more or apply today."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Medical Assisting vs. Nursing: Which Is Right for You?","item":"https:\/\/prismcareerinstitute.edu\/blog\/medical-assisting-vs-nursing-which-is-right-for-you\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]