What is the main difference between how doctors and nurses care for patients?

[ajcavner]

Hello all!

I just graduated from high school in May and will be starting college in August but I'm still trying to decide which Pre-Professional program I want to join and which major I want to earn a degree in. I know it's too early for me to start fussing about this..but I would really like some help! :)

I volunteered at a hospital last summer so I saw the differences between what the nurses and the doctors were doing around the hospital. It always seemed like the RNs were the ones doing all the work and the doctors were just walking around the hospital in a big group.

I've always wanted to be in the medical field but I can't decide if I want to be a RN, doctor, or even a nurse practioner. I really want to help people (that's why I wanted to be in the medical field in the first place) but I'm not sure which would be the best option to help me achieve that dream. My dad keeps pushing me towards being a doctor because of the pay, but it doesn't seem like they have as much interaction with the patients as the nurses do.

If I do decide to be a nurse, is there really the stereotypical situation where the doctors treat the nurses like they're inferior? Do they really get pushed around? Oh and are nurse practioners treated the same as doctors (considering they have close to the same amount of schooling)?

What is the main difference between how doctors and nurses care for patients? I don't want to just treat the patients, I want to make them feel better.

Thank you guys for your help! Sorry for the long post >_

[alfrnbsn1988]

It's hard to compare and contrast because a "doctor's" job can be so different. Are you talking about your family care doctor or are you talking about a neurosurgeon? A huge difference is that doctors can prescribe medicine and a RN can't. A nurse practitioner can (an extra 2-3 years of schooling), but they are limited to that they can prescribe (antibiotics,etc) A doctor can prescibe controlled medication such as vicodin, valium, and with an additional license can prescribe heavy duty narcotic pain relivers (percocet,etc)

Another main difference is that doctors actually diagnose a disorder and then is the person that plans the treatment. An RN would be the one to administer that treatment and will help monitor the progress. A nurse can help perform diagnostic tests, check and administer IVs, take patient history, etc

An RN makes on average about 50-70k a year, and a doctor much more, but again this depends on what kind of doctor you are. A family care doctor can make 145,000 a year while other specialties can make 300k-500k.

Both jobs are stressfull, but a doctor does have more responsibility, and has to be much more careful about patient care. A physician's liability is greater. malpractice insurance is also at an all time high, which is something you definitely want to consider.

If you are interested in a health care field, I would really suggest a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant. They are very similar. It's an awesome job with great pay, less stress than a MD/DO, and way less schooling.

[ajcavner]

Thank you! That info was really helpful! :)

[Merlyn]

Doctors and Nurses work differently. You say that you have seen the doctors just sitting around waiting. In most cases they are thinking. what can I give the patient that is the best for him . Let's see I put him on this med because I have to try and get rid of his high lipids so I want to put him on this new one that just came out that says.. no wait a minute he has a tendency to bleed.. This goes through the mind of a doctor. I have had doctors call at three in the morning saying, " I was thinking that new medicine I put Mr. Jones on to day, I don't think he should be on it . Just cancel that order. Now nurses have a more practical attitude they don't prescribe the drugs by themselves a doctor still has to review the order at least here in Jersey. While the doctor is busy thinking we care for the patient. We most of the time have direct care of the patient. We giver him the medicine answer the questions, and are a like between the patient and the doctor. Both disciplines have it's ups and downs

[ajcavner]

Thank you for putting out that different point of view! :)

[minnymi]

are nurse practitioners and doctors treated the same? my vote would be no.

if you work in an ER then most people aren't going to care that you're a NP. if you work in a clinic there are people who will want to see a "real doctor." i'm guilty of favoring the MD after a couple of unpleasant experiences with NP's. once, i had to return 3 times with my son and he only had strep throat! the first time i saw a NP....the second time i saw the same NP...the 3rd time i requested to see a DOCTOR!

i have a friend who is a NP and she has told many stories of doctors being disrespectful to her. many of them don't approve of NP's apparently. if you want the 'prestige' of a doctor then i would say be a doctor, but if that's not what you're going for then it doesn't really matter.