hi hayjas

being a medical assistant can give you experience in working directly with patients but getting into the RN program requires prereqs.  I'm taking my prereqs now and there is alot of practicing medical assistants in my classes.  So if you want be a medical assistant first, you may have to go back to take the required prereqs to get into the RN program.  At my community college,one of my study buddies is enrolled in the medical assistant program in addition to taking nursing prereqs.  That way when she finishes she can be a certified medical assistant and apply to the program.  Its also cheaper. I think it all depends how much time are you willing to go to school.