Difference between a doctor and nurse?

[panvard92]

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I know one has a MD and is more prestigious and probably makes more money...

but work wise...aren't they both in medicine and deal with patients?

 

[FutureCTDoc]

Autonomy. Ability to treat. To write Rxs you need an MD or DO, PAs and other special circumstances not withstanding. To do surgery you need an MD or DO (DMD/DDSs and DPMs can operate within their scope). In short RNs are unable to prescribe or do surgery. Their knowledge base is not as deep, their training length is shorter. RNs are critical members of any health care team, but the MD or DO is ultimately accountable. The difference between a NP or PA and a MD/DO is a different story, they can write Rxs under supervision. RNs will never be able to experience the autonomy or responsibility that a physician gets it can be rewarding and considering only a bachelors or associates degree is required it can be an option worth considering.

 

[Vicviper]

I've had it explained to me very broadly (very broadly) in a general sense as when in a hospital setting, minus surgeons, etc, the doctors diagnose, and give instructions to the nurses, and the nurses have the direct patient involvement by carrying out the treatment plan. As said above, it's really an autonomy thing, a doctor is the one at the top making the big decisions that get passed on.

Nursing is definitely a noble profession, and I really respect all nurses for the hard work that they put in. Though if you feel you want to be in the health profession, and have a desire to be a doctor, don't feel that anything can stop you from getting there, grades, money, obligations, it can all be overcome one way or another and you can get there.

There's always dental too! RDH's have great jobs, hours, and pay, hehe.

 

[Doodledog]

I've had it explained to me very broadly (very broadly) in a general sense as when in a hospital setting, minus surgeons, etc, the doctors diagnose, and give instructions to the nurses, and the nurses have the direct patient involvement by carrying out the treatment plan.

I'm not sure what a "minus surgeon" is, but if you mean that surgeons are the one type of doctor that doesn't make diagnoses, that is completely incorrect. A good surgeon is an excellent diagnostician and that is a major aspect of their job.

 

[tennisball80]

A doctor can get a hot nurse.

A nurse can not get a hot doctor.

From a male's prospective.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The answer is both one of philosophy and also one of practicality. Both professions have a unique set of skills and responsibilities, though they function quite differently.

Here is an example that shows how each disciplines works together, but in different capacities. It is very basic, but pretty typical......a pt. came in and cited "chest pains" as their presenting problem. The pt. was first seen by a nurse to get the background history, do some screeners, get the pt's BP, etc. The nurse then went to the physician and ran through the particulars. The physician then came in, used the information the nurse collected, asked a few more questions to help with differential diagnosis issues. The physician wrote the orders: a referral for bloodwork, a referral to psych, and a meds adjustment. A tech came in to do the bloodwork, the pt. came to see me because there were some anxiety issues that may have contributed to the chest pain, and the meds adjustment was made because a new medication may have contributed. The nurse wrote up the note for the initial appointment (co-signed by the physician), I wrote up the note for the psych consult (co-signed by my supervisor, as I am not yet licensed), the lab results were posted for the bloodwork (by nursing I believe), and the front desk people handled the follow-up appointment.

 

[PHARMDhope2b]

I agree, it was a surgeon who made the definitive diagnosis of my leukemia!

I'm not sure what a "minus surgeon" is, but if you mean that surgeons are the one type of doctor that doesn't make diagnoses, that is completely incorrect. A good surgeon is an excellent diagnostician and that is a major aspect of their job.

 

[schrizto]

The fastest diagnosis I ever got was from a surgeon. I had this lump in my cheek and I told him about it, he palpated it, and knew instantly what it was and how it got there. *_* I want to be that knowledgeable.

 

[psipsina]

Nurses are responsible for alot of the day to day care, making sure that doctors orders are carried out, watching out for signs that the patient is worsening or having an adverse reaction to their treatment. They have alot more contact with the patient throughout their day.

Physicians are the decision makers. They assimilate all the information, from nurses, from patients, from labs, from physical exam findings and formulate a list of possible diagnoses and then go about trying to tease out which one it is and treat it. Alot of the day is spent in a hospital setting rounding which is discussing patients, far more than is actually spent with patients. The intellectual aspects are far more emphasized. I think its an exaggeration to say that physicians have complete autonomy because we still must answer to insurance companies and hospital administrators and we must provide each patient with a standard of care agreed upon by many physicians. Its not like you're the lone ranger out on the frontier of medicine. More than a power/autonomy thing I think its much more intellectually rewarding. It would drive me crazy to follow orders without understanding them fully. I constantly want to understand the mechanisms behind disease processes and treatment rationales which is what pushed me in the direction of physician.

 

[Jfz]

Sorry this really isnt on topic but just thought i'd add something to what Pharmd and schrizto said...i had a lump on my nut and pcp got me an ultrasound. a radiologist looked at it and and wanted twice a year ultrasounds (because there was a chance it could affect fertility when i got older? or something) but my pcp thought that was overkill so referred me to a well respected pediatric surgeon who looked over my things and decided i didn't need more ultrasounds. soo yeah

ill back out of the thread now 🙂

 

[Vicviper]

Minus surgeons meant, other than surgeons, as in 2 minus 1, hehe.

The intent was to say that surgeons in fact do much more than just diagnosing, and clearly surgeons do that as well.

 

[BigRedBeta]

I know one has a MD and is more prestigious and probably makes more money...

but work wise...aren't they both in medicine and deal with patients?

Yes, they all deal with patients...but what that means for the two professions is pretty different.

As a resident (that'd be a doctor who is completing training right after graduating med school), on months where I'm on an inpatient team (taking care of patients who are staying in the hospital), there are days where I might see a particular patient for a grand total of 8 minutes, probably at 6:30am, just long enough to ask them if they're doing okay and do a quick physical exam. If there aren't any major issues throughout the day, that may be the only time I talk to them. Certainly some patients I'm seeing for significant amounts of time during the day, but it's not a guarantee.

A nurse on the other hand will be spending WAY more time with a patient. A nurse may only have 4-6 patients (in some cases only 2) to care for, and is incharge of giving medications, getting blood or other lab specimens, checking their vital signs and so on. If the patient has a problem the nurse is the one who is checking on them first. Often times, if they need me (the doctor), they'll simply page them and I'll give them a verbal order on what to do next without even going to see the patient.

Of course, as a pediatrician who works at a children's hospital, it also means that the nurses are the ones who change the diapers, give the bottles and clean up the vomit. Nurses who work in other fields have to do similar "dirty work".

 

[JackADeli]

I know one has a MD and is more prestigious and probably makes more money...

but work wise...aren't they both in medicine and deal with patients?

I think you ask an important question. I think the confusion folks have between what is physician and nurse difference comes from popular culture fiction dramas (i.e. "Mercy") in which a nurse suddenly saves the day by "knowing more" then the physician and performing surgery in an ambulance.

As a surgeon, it would be hard for me to do everything I do without nurses and other "ancillary" staff. So, nurses are quite important.

The first thing you can do to get an idea between differences is look at the education route of becoming a physician vs becoming a nurse. There are "practical nurses" and "RNs". I believe one can become a nurse with 2-4 years of college/education after high school.

Becoming a physician generally requires completion of 4 years of college followed by 4 years of medical school and depending on the state 1-2 years specialty training after completion of medical school in order to obtain a license.

After that, I would encourage you to shadow some nurses (not necessarily senior nurses, just regular day to day nurses). Shadow some physicians. This will give you an idea of what the day to day is.

JAD

 

[anesthesiadoc]

I know one has a MD and is more prestigious and probably makes more money...

but work wise...aren't they both in medicine and deal with patients?

During residency MD's work for several years all the while making significantly less $/hour than nurses. Know what you're getting into. Financially, MD is a much-delayed gratification.

 

[sassilysweet]

The answer is both one of philosophy and also one of practicality. Both professions have a unique set of skills and responsibilities, though they function quite differently.

Here is an example that shows how each disciplines works together, but in different capacities. It is very basic, but pretty typical......a pt. came in and cited "chest pains" as their presenting problem. The pt. was first seen by a nurse to get the background history, do some screeners, get the pt's BP, etc. The nurse then went to the physician and ran through the particulars. The physician then came in, used the information the nurse collected, asked a few more questions to help with differential diagnosis issues. The physician wrote the orders: a referral for bloodwork, a referral to psych, and a meds adjustment. A tech came in to do the bloodwork, the pt. came to see me because there were some anxiety issues that may have contributed to the chest pain, and the meds adjustment was made because a new medication may have contributed. The nurse wrote up the note for the initial appointment (co-signed by the physician), I wrote up the note for the psych consult (co-signed by my supervisor, as I am not yet licensed), the lab results were posted for the bloodwork (by nursing I believe), and the front desk people handled the follow-up appointment.

Nope, nurses do not do the lab work. There are 4yr Clinical Laboratory Scientists/Medical Technologists who perform & document lab work. There are also 2 yr Medical Laboratory Technicians who perform some of the testing. You need to pass a certification test also. Some states require licensing.

Just wanted to spread a little word about the profession ;0)

 

[WashMe]

"What's the difference between me and you?"
"About 5 bank accounts, 3 ounces, and 2 vehicles"

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Nope, nurses do not do the lab work. There are 4yr Clinical Laboratory Scientists/Medical Technologists who perform & document lab work. There are also 2 yr Medical Laboratory Technicians who perform some of the testing. You need to pass a certification test also. Some states require licensing.

Just wanted to spread a little word about the profession ;0)

Thank you for the clarification. I wasn't sure who puts in the lab results, as I only look at them for tox screens or if there is something wonky noted in the file.

 

[Mopp22]

A doctor can get a hot nurse.

A nurse can not get a hot doctor.

From a male's prospective.

👎
How old are you? You want to be a doctor? Take that away to the appropriate forum.

 

[EMS5]

I hope you don't plan on being an MD/DO, and if you do, pray for an act of god that noone finds out who you are.