Nurses working harder than doctors?

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2009

I think you have to walk a mile in another man's moccasins before making that judgment. From my observations, doctors work very long, hard hours.

LilyBlue · Mar 21, 2009

I don't know about whose job is harder, but I know that ours is more tedious. If the doctors had to be the one to get every diet coke, take every menial complaint, and talk to the families everytime they have a question, along with wiping every patient's butt, I bet they would either 1) be more responsive to requests for antidiarrheals and anti anxiety meds or 2) get the patient out of there faster.

GilaRRT · Mar 21, 2009

Agreed, it is truly difficult to understand their job. My PCP is an internist. He works five days a week at his practice. From about 0800-1900 in his office, to rounding on his hospital patients twice a day (AM & PM), to pulling two to three 12 hour 7p-7a ER shifts a week in a small ER.

RedCell · Mar 21, 2009

This post reeks of ignorance.

lovehospital · Mar 21, 2009

Like the other day I was changing patient's sheets and I ask the doctor to move a little,she looked at me like I just killed her mother and stayed there,I wonder if would act that way if she would had to do it herself

LilyBlue · Mar 21, 2009

I am the first to admit I don't understand the ends and outs of being a physician, and I greatly respect them and know they are incredibly driven and work hard. That being said, I sometimes feel that they rarely if ever put themselves in the nurse's position, either, and oftentimes do not respect her role.

It would be nice if we could all go to an alternate land and switch roles for a while. We might come back a little more humble.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2009

Like the other day I was changing patient's sheets and I ask the doctor to move a little,she looked at me like I just killed her mother and stayed there,I wonder if would act that way if she would had to do it herself

You are basing your opinion on things like this?

Basically, the doctor's role is not a patient care one. Generally they are on a very tight timetable and are under a lot of pressure to get to the next patient. I wouldn't make much of what you've described in the quoted post.

GilaRRT · Mar 21, 2009

Like the other day I was changing patient's sheets and I ask the doctor to move a little,she looked at me like I just killed her mother and stayed there,I wonder if would act that way if she would had to do it herself

Anecdotes such as this are going to prove nurses work harder? Look, we all have a job to do. I can throw out anecdotal stories of lazy nurses; however, this does not make all of nursing lazy. On average, I would say doctors work quite hard.

lovehospital · Mar 21, 2009

Agreed, it is truly difficult to understand their job. My PCP is an internist. He works five days a week at his practice. From about 0800-1900 in his office, to rounding on his hospital patients twice a day (AM & PM), to pulling two to three 12 hour 7p-7a ER shifts a week in a small ER.

But that is his choice isnt? I'm sure he doesnt have to work in ER nor in hospital since he has his own private practice.

GilaRRT · Mar 21, 2009

But that is his choice isnt? I'm sure he doesnt have to work in ER nor in hospital since he has his own private practice.

What is your point? He still has to work in the hospital because his patients are admitted there. As far as the ER, obviously his choice. However, he along with other local doctors are keeping the ER functional and providing a needed service to a community.

lovehospital · Mar 21, 2009

You are basing your opinion on things like this?
Basically, the doctor's role is not a patient care one. Generally they are on a very tight timetable and are under a lot of pressure to get to the next patient. I wouldn't make much of what you've described in the quoted post.

No,it is just the more I observe and get acquainted with the profession of nursing I realize the "story" behind it:)