You're a nurse? Why didn't you just go to med school?

allnurses Guide · Jan 30, 2009

I'm trying to be polite.... but if you actually need to know the difference between a doctor and an RN, I'd suggest going to shadow someone at a hospital. They are totally different.

There is an NP forum with a lot of info that you could check out for more info on advanced nurse practitioners.

sunray12 · Jan 30, 2009

You should go to the specialty\advanced practice nursing tab at the top of the page and read the NP board. There are several mega threads in there that can help you as you think matters through.

ChiLanQui · Jan 30, 2009

I guess I should clarify. What I'm really asking is for the distinction between mid-levels and the other two, i.e., what's the difference between a doctor and a MLP, and what's the difference between a MLP and a RN.

Thanks for the advice.

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 30, 2009

I will answer this for you :

MD : 4 yrs of undergrad pre med classes, 4 yrs of medical school , 3 to 4 yr internship in your speciality. They diagnose, treat, perform more invasive procedures that the RNs do not do, such as insert chest tubes, perform the surgery, etc.

NP: RN with a masters degree who practices advanced nursing. Call it like what you like, but NPs do practice medicine, much like a MD, but with a nursing background.

PA: a midlevel provider similar to the NP without the nursing background. As far as I can see, both NPs and PAs have different titles but end up doing the same thing. Most PAs school are masters degrees now.

RN: the backbone of a hospital, they provide the day to day care, cleaning patients, giving meds to patients, dealing with family members, some social issues, monitoring treatments, providing care during emergency codes, etc.

Under RN is the LPN and the CNA.

RNs can have either a 2 yr degree or a 4 yr degree, but dont think the 2 yr degree program is easy, I went for my 2 yr degree and we had a 50 percent drop rate throughout the program.

I personally got my 2 yr RN, then went to a RN to BSN program and recently finnished my FNP /Masters degree..

Laur318, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2009

Patrick, that post was very informative. I am hoping i get in to one of the 2 yr nursing programs as you did, although I understand it is tough and very rigorous. I would like to seek some clarification and guidance from you, if I could:

I used to nanny for a woman who was an APRN and her job fascinated me. I'm wondering if you all think it's ass backwards for me to start out by getting my ASN - Associate of Science in Nursing (in order to work immediately after graduation), then earn my BSN (after working a few years, when my child is in elementary school, hopefully my employer / hospital may assist in the tuition). Then I would hope to finally obtain my Masters to become an APRN. Is that silly to do when not all the credits transfer from ASN to BSN? Isn't it true that there is barely a pay difference between an RN w/BSN & an RN w/ ASN? especially in a nursing shortage like my state (CT) is experiencing?

I think that diagnosing, treating and prescribing is the most exciting part of being an MD, so advance practice nursing would be very fulfilling to me, and the extra training/masters degree w/ clinical (MSN?) that APRNs get would be so interesting. I think I could see myself working in this field very happily.

But again, my main question is, should I just shoot for the BSN now to get there sooner? I have almost the entire curriculum for the ASN complete ---aside from the actual nursing courses.

And also, is it true that by 2015 all APRN's must go beyond getting their master's and obtain a doctorate?

How does an APRN differ from a NP? I know NP's get a MSN and can have their own practice as well..but I never realized that there was a difference between the two.....that makes me feel REALLY dumb. Please help me understand a little bit better, and if you could, point me in the right direction to follow your educational path. I appreciate any advice you can spare!! Thank you in advance!!!!

nkochrn, RN · Jan 30, 2009

I don't have much to add, sounds like you've got some good info. I am an RN with an ASN degree and have looked into getting my BSN and haven't persued it b/c of the cost. I wouldn't make anymore at my job. (I'm in rural KS).

As for amount of time spent with patients- RN's do most bedside cares and spend more time with the SAME patients and take orders from the MLP and MD. The MLP and MD spend less time with each pt but see MORE patients. They focus on finding a diagnosis and treating the patient, then the RN carries out the orders from them.

angel337, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2009

I was hoping this title would catch your attention.
So, I'm still trying to figure out what I should do with my life. I think I want to be a mid-level practitioner (NP, CSN, PA, etc), but I want to explore my options. So...
What's the difference between a doctor, a mid-level practitioner, and a RN? How are their daily routines different? How much time do they spend with patients? I know these are pretty broad categories, but anything helps. Thanks!
P.S. If that helps narrow down the categories at all, I'm pretty sure I want to work in a hospital--possibly ICU, but definitely NOT a doctors' office.

are you in grammar school?? i say this without disrespect because i truly don't believe you are asking what's the difference between a doctor and a nurse.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2009

are you in grammar school?? i say this without disrespect because i truly don't believe you are asking what's the difference between a doctor and a nurse.

I think they know the difference between a doctor and a nurse. I think they want to understand the difference between a PA/NP/MD. The lines are a little fuzzy to someone who is not already in healthcare.

MB37 · Jan 30, 2009

As much as I can answer:

Why don't all of the credits transfer from ASN --> BSN? They do in my area, except that they make you take separate courses in subjects that were integrated into classes like "Nursing I" for ASN nurses (patho, pharm, assessment). Check out all the CCs in your area if you're thinking ASN route, and find one where the credits will all transfer.

In most parts of the country, the pay is the same for entry level ASN and BSN RNs. There may be a difference of 0.50-$1.00, but it's negligible if anything. Check job listings and web postings near you - in some parts of the country, most jobs are "BSN preferred," while in others it really makes no difference for staff nurse positions.

We can't tell you whether it's best in your situation to shoot for a BSN from the start or not - you'll need one eventually (or you can do a direct entry RN-MSN program, but you'll have to take all the courses one way or another), but it depends on the cost difference where you live, and how much time and money you have at one time to devote to school. It takes longer to go all the way, obviously, if you get the ASN first - but you can make RN pay after 3 years (counting prereqs) instead of 4+. I'm assuming you don't already have a bachelor's degree in another field.

APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) is a broader category than NP (nurse practitioner). APRNs include NPs, CNS's (clinical nurse specialists), CNMs (certified nurse midwives), CRNAs (nurse anesthetists), and I'm probably leaving something out. All are master's programs (at a minimum) so far as I know, although there may be some APRNs out there were grandfathered in from before a MS/MSN was required. The category of MLP also includes PAs, who are employed in the same capacity as an NP but studied from the medical, as opposed to nursing, model.

I don't believe the DNP will be "required" of anyone by 2015 - it seems that there are always deadlines out there for all RNs to have BSNs and for all APRNs to have DNPs, but it hasn't seemed to happen in practice. You may choose to go that far on your own, and more schools may start offering the programs, but if we ever transition it will be a slow process.

Hope that was helpful, and feel free to correct me anyone if I made any mistakes.