What is the Difference Between Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing?

What is the Difference Between Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing?
What is the Difference Between Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing?

What is the Difference Between Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing?

Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) offers a Medical Assisting program and a Practical Nursing program for those interested in the healthcare field. While these programs may seem similar, there are some differences between the two.

For a Medical Assistant, general duties may contain more of medical office jobs with more traditional hours, while a Practical Nurse may find positions in nursing homes, hospitals, etc. with a variable schedule. Another major difference is that Medical Assistants might perform administrative duties and Practical Nurses might focus more on patient care.

Medical Assisting1

Duties:

  • Gathering personal information and medical histories
  • Taking vital signs
  • Explaining procedures
  • Sending blood samples to the lab

Yearly Salary (Average yearly salary includes workers with all levels of education and experience and does not represent entry level salary):

  • Average in Connecticut: $40,0002
  • Average in Massachusetts: $41,0003

Practical Nursing

Duties:

  • Collecting, reporting, and recording data
  • Assisting, delegating, and care giving
  • Providing an environment conducive to safety and health
  • Communicating nursing interventions and responses to care to appropriate members of the health team

Yearly Salary (Average yearly salary includes workers with all levels of education and experience and does not represent entry level salary):

  • Average in Connecticut: $54,0004
  • Average in Massachusetts: $54,0005

At PCI, students can check out both the Medical Assisting program and the Practical Nursing program to see which one could be a fit for them. If you're ready to get started, visit the online application portal to enroll.


1. https://www.practicalnursing.org/medical-assistant-vs-lpn
2. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/medical-assistant-salary/ct
3. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/medical-assistant-salary/ma
4. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/licensed-practical-nurse-salary/ct
5. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/licensed-practical-nurse-salary/ma