"Becoming a Doctor is like, 100 times harder than becoming a nurse".

Nurses General Nursing

Published

------------------

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yep,becoming a doctor is 100 times harder than becoming a nurse.Sometimes I felt my program was a joke,often I was thinking to myself are they serious here I am learning how to save a life but I dont have a solid patho background..So I often had to educate myself-you know take out an atlas of pathophysiology and study different diseases (still do)Doctors go to school for 8 years nurses 2 or more...so you do the math.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

But 100?????? COME ON!!! Wouldn't that be like, maybe, 4 times harder? (Just going by your math lol). ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute post op ortho.

Maybe it was for her.:bluecry1:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

How about becoming a doctor is more lengthy? I don't think it's harder...it just takes longer....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, M/S, CCU, ER.

Just look at the coursework required for basic nursing school and think of how intense it is, how much there is to learn. Then look at the coursework required for a bachelor's in pre-med and 4 years of medical school. Then docs have years of internship and residency, all the while with (imho criminal) working hours. We have the NCLEX, they have killer boards. We know a lot, they know a heckuva lot more. Yes, I'd say it's way more than 4x harder to become a doctor than a nurse.

To give an example, here is a list of the PREREQUISITES for admission into the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University, from their website. Keep in mind, this is what you need to even get into medical school, where you will go for four more years full-time.

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree at an accredited United States or Canadian undergraduate institution.
  2. Completion of one year of course work (typically two semesters) in each of the following areas, with no final grade below a 2.0:
    • General/Inorganic Chemistry sequence, including at least one laboratory
    • General Biology sequence, including at least one laboratory
    • Organic Chemistry sequence, including at least one laboratory
    • English Writing or Composition, may include "Writing in the Major" or writing-intensive classes
    • Humanities/Social Science courses that focus on psychological and social theory, individual and/or group behaviors, or comparative cultures. Recommended courses include anthropology, cultural studies, economics, ethics, psychology, sociology, women's studies, and philosophy

[*] Mathematics through college algebra or statistics and probability. The mathematics requirement may be waived with Advanced Placement [AP] credit for Statistics and Probability, Calculus 1, or freshman mathematics placement above college algebra.

[*] Completion of two upper-level (junior- or senior-level) biological science courses. Such courses are typically within the following areas: biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, or physiology.

The premedical course requirements are minimums. CHM strongly encourages applicants to take additional, upper-level courses in biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, and physiology.

That said, if this particular doctor is spiritually analyzing you, that has nothing to do with how hard she worked on her MD. You're probably wise to distance yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Becoming a doctor is undoubtedly much harder than becoming a nurse. I'm not sure anyone can exactly quanitify the level of difficulty, though. Some of what nursing school teaches you is an absolute joke... and some of the people that pass and go on to become nurses are moronic idiots. There are no moronic idiot doctors. It's just a whole different ballgame.

What we do as nurses IS important, but it doesn't exactly take a genius to figure out how to prime IV tubing.

I am perplexed by the posts that I read here that have responses something to the tune of "Nursing school is hargest thing you'll do in your LIFE!!"

Makes you wonder....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
There are no moronic idiot doctors. It's just a whole different ballgame.....

I beg to differ, I have met some of those moronic idiot doctors. The weeding out process isn't any more perfect in med school than nursing school's is.

I think it takes alot of work to get through either program, and just as many brains. Med school is longer, and more stressful, not at any given time but because it does stretch out for so many more years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medicine.

I never tried going to medical school because I never really had desire but I was on the same track as the pre med students. Most of them in my school were Biochemistry majors.

The course work is definitely a lot harder and a lot more science based. When I started nursing school I was disappointed at how little science there was. It's a different type of thinking involved in nursing. Don't get me wrong the profession is definitely a fulfilling one and I learned a lot.

It's horrible that there is always this "feud" between nurses and doctors. We're both here for the patients and while doctors may know something nurses don't they should explain it knowing our background doesnt require the amount of knowledge doctors need. In the end we just want to protect the patient.

I'm sure she was exaggerating when saying "100x" harder but still I see that as an arrogant statement in the same breath. There are moronic people in every profession just because they are doctors doesn't mean they are exempt lol. They just know how to study hard and are good at school. Maybe not everything else...

Nurses seem to always say, "Interns and residents are idiots". Don't forget they are learning too... although they may have a lot more schooling that doesn't make them inhuman. They make mistakes too. A good doctor or a good nurse is always personable and well rounded. I don't care how much education you have, the medical field deals with people and very personal matters. You gotta have some tact.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

---------------

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And you'll find people in any field, nursing, education, etc., who just got their doctorate. And you'll know they just got it because they insist on being called "doctor." My reply, "So Doctor Jones, what's your first name?" And I love the wives, for example of a male who just got their doctorate, who call themselves, "Mrs. Doctor Jones." :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CICU.

I'll agree that medical school is 100x harder than nursing school.

I went to nursing school for one year, received my BSN and had a lot of fun while doing it (AKA - going out on weekends, having time to myself). I studied for my NCLEX for 4 days and passed it in 75 questions.

My sister on the other hand, spent the first 2 years of her medical school career locked up in her apartment or at the library studying. She could probably count the number of times she went out with her friends using just her fingers. Granted, medical school does get easier after the first two years, constant studying is required. They actually give their students months off to study for boards, and there isn't just one board exam either. It is definitely intense.

Anyways, while nursing is by no means an easy profession, I think you are vastly underestimating the depth of knowledge that is required in medical school. Easily 100x harder than nursing school!

On the other hand, just because someone is a doctor, doesn't mean they have the ability to analyze your entire life!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment