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Practical nurse vs medical assistant

The differences between practical nurses and medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a practical nurse, becoming a medical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, which is higher than the $34,900 average annual salary of a medical assistant.

The top three skills for a practical nurse include patients, APN and home health. The most important skills for a medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.

Practical nurse vs medical assistant overview

Practical NurseMedical Assistant
Yearly salary$75,363$34,900
Hourly rate$36.23$16.78
Growth rate6%16%
Number of jobs511,602189,915
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 24%
Average age4637
Years of experience212

What does a practical nurse do?

A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients' lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.

What does a medical assistant do?

Medical assistants provide support to medical practitioners in both administrative and clerical tasks. They keep and update the patient's medical records, administer medicines under the supervision of a physician, assist during medical examinations, prepare medical samples for laboratory testing, manage the schedule of appointments, and assist the patients with their bills and in filling out needed forms, such as insurance-related documents. Medical assistants should have good communication skills and analytical skills, be organized, and be flexible. They should also have knowledge of how to operate some medical equipment such as x-ray machines.

Practical nurse vs medical assistant salary

Practical nurses and medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Practical NurseMedical Assistant
Average salary$75,363$34,900
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $120,000Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity HospitalsColumbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between practical nurse and medical assistant education

There are a few differences between a practical nurse and a medical assistant in terms of educational background:

Practical NurseMedical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 24%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeEmory University-

Practical nurse vs medical assistant demographics

Here are the differences between practical nurses' and medical assistants' demographics:

Practical NurseMedical Assistant
Average age4637
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between practical nurse and medical assistant duties and responsibilities

Practical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion while maintaining there safety.
  • Maintain safety and quality standards of care while facilitating early discharge of mother and baby.
  • Maintain HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
  • Receive and implementing Dr orders.
  • Train in lactation and NRP certify.
  • Show more

Medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Participate in emergency surgical intervention in obstetrics and gynecology patients.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in taking patient history and vitals, venipuncture, injections, urinalysis and preparing examination trays.
  • Attend to new out patients in gynecology clinic, make clinical diagnosis and follow up.
  • Provide RMA support to physician, and patients, including but not limit to vitals and patient history.
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Practical nurse vs medical assistant skills

Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • EKG, 4%

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