Doctors who used to be nurses...?

suzanne4, RN · Jul 15, 2005

One of my favorite physicians that I used to work with was a nun and a registerd nurse before her order sent her back to school to become a physician.

elkpark · Jul 15, 2005

My father was an RN before he went to med school (way back in the '40s). My mother was an RN and they met when she was OR supervisor and he was one of the anesthesiologists at a (stateside) Air Force base during Korea. Mom always said that all the nurses appreciated working with him because he was much more aware of the nurses' workloads and responsibilities than the other docs, and went out of his way to make sure that he cleaned up after himself, etc., and didn't make any more work for the nurses than necessary, unlike all the other MDs.

talaxandra · Jul 15, 2005

I've worked with two doctors who had some nursing education - the first switched after her first year, and so didn't really have a comprehensive picture of nursing, but was approachable and listened to us. The second was awesome! He worked as a division 2 nurse during his medical training. I think he would have been fantastic anyway, but nursing expereince didn't hurt.

I've also found that doctors who have nurses in their lives (parent, partner, sibling) tend to be great.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 16, 2005

I have worked with 3 doctors who used to be nurses. Two of the three were absolute nightmares. I think it was partially because they were nurses so long ago that they do not realize that nursing has changed since dinosaurs roamed the earth. The other was very good. She had not been out of her residency very long. She came closer to having a clue than the other two did.

murph · Jul 16, 2005

How about doctors who used to be nurses...and the nurses that love them? Ok, here's my question - Has anyone worked with a doctor who used to be a nurse? How was he/she? A helpful, knowledgable doctor? A nightmare? Yes, the other thread that's up right now got me thinking about this. I'm in my second year of premed. Our attending used to be an x-ray tech...she's ok - not my favorite. I know each person stands on his/her own merit but, I was curious if anyone here has had experience with a former nurse doctor. Thanks.

I give very high marks to my nurse who became a Dr. She sits down with the patient's at the bed side, she speaks gently to them and talks about how this will affect their life. She is able to combine both worlds and she gives nurses the repect that they deserve. When I first met her I didn't know her history and mentioned to one of her partners her bedside skill in dealing with patients and staff, she is just different. He was the one who told me of this hibred Drnurse. The best of both worlds!!!!

Trauma Columnist · Jul 16, 2005

I work in the ER and we have four MDs that used to be either RNs or Paramedics and they are absolutely wonderful to work with: independent, collegial and truely wanted to practice collaboratively.

Brotherbob, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2005

I have only good things to say about the few doctors that used to be nurses I have worked with. They have more understanding for our profession.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 16, 2005

I work with 2 drs. that worked their way through med school. Both went from U/S to tech to LPN to RN and then finally Dr. They have the utmost respect for the entire team and they are good with their patients. Of course now the hosptial is riding both of them for "spending too much time" with their patients but the patients adore those drs. as well as all the staff. I think it makes a difference.

On another note, a very close friend of mine is applying to med school and plans on working as a U/S and/or a tech until she gets in and then as much as possible while in school. She tells me it will give her a better insight to everyone involved in the healthcare team and it will always remind her that no one is below her, they are always equal with her. She'll be a good dr.