Med Student Hierarchy?

[KaksRN]

I am so confused by the tons of med students I see on the unit everyday. What is the hierarchy of med students? Are the all "doctors" now? or not yet? Can they all write orders? Are some of the 3rd or 4th year students leading the lower level students? And does the length of their lab coat mean anything? How much does all of this matter to nurses?

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

So should I refer to the residents as Dr.___?

Yes...unless they want you to refer to them by their first name (I gain respect for a resident who does...)

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Intern/resident = full fledged MD (not yet an attending). While they may still have a lot to learn, they have put a lot of time and money into earning the title MD.

That's why I included what I did in parentheses :)

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I am so confused by the tons of med students I see on the unit everyday. What is the hierarchy of med students? Are the all "doctors" now? or not yet? Can they all write orders? Are some of the 3rd or 4th year students leading the lower level students? And does the length of their lab coat mean anything? How much does all of this matter to nurses?

BWAHAHAHA I never noticed the lab coats and lengths and I thought you were just being funny until another post confirmed their is a difference. I will have to pay attention now.

[KaksRN]

so what does "attending" mean?

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

He (or she) is the doc who is past all of the learning stuff, and is in charge of patient care on whatever unit he/she works on...the resident has to get the ok from the attending on anything new for patient care/orders (unless previously given the ok to do whatever it is he/she wants to do). LOL. :) The attending supervises residents; residents supervise interns; interns like to supervise anyone they can.. :)