Premium Essay

Nurse vs Dr

In:

Submitted By JSeawood
Words 1103
Pages 5
Jocelyn Seawood
Nurses vs. Doctor
English Composition 121
Kathy Knecht
10/17/2011

Nurses vs. Doctors
In the field of healthcare there has been a long time ongoing discussion about which healthcare profession plays the most important role in the healthcare industry. If you were to ask the nurses the nurses would say that there will be no good healthcare without great nurses. The doctors would say that the doctors are the brains and the strength of the healthcare world. Those who work outside of the medical industry often confuse the roles of doctor and nurse, not aware that the two have very different functions. Although the two work side-by-side in many situations and need each other to complete certain tasks, there are major differences between a doctor and nurse. Both roles, however, are essential for the medical industry and of equal importance. In this essay I will objectively compare and contrast the role of the doctors and the role of the nurses, and maybe this will give more insight on who’s who in the healthcare industry.
Doctors and nurses first differ in their job descriptions. In most cases, the doctor is tasked with examining and diagnosing patients. A nurse, on the other hand, will have a more hands-on role with physically treating a patient based on the doctor's diagnosis. Nurses often joke that they are just as knowledgeable, yet are paid less and charged with performing the "dirty work". However, both jobs can be physically and emotionally demanding. It should be pointed out that the role of a nurse is not always as a subordinate to doctors. Advanced nurses, such as nurse practitioners, will also diagnose patients and can even prescribe medication.
Another major difference between a doctor and nurse is their salary. While not always true, the average doctor earns a higher yearly income than the average nurse. According to a 2006 study by

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Legal 500

...Sullivan Dr. Cantrell Legal 500 Law, Ethics & Corporate Governance February 11, 2013 1. Determine at least three (3) different internal and external stakeholders that Dr. DoRight might have to deal with on a daily basis at the hospital. Hospital facilities are definitely significant in the well-being of patients and expertise of its medical staff personnel. However, Dr. DoRight has been hired as the President of the “Universal Human Care Hospital”, where he oversees all departments with over 5000 employees and over 20,000 patients at the medical facility. He has been given an enormous responsibility to ensure to its internal and external stakeholders that all departments function efficiently and patients’ care and health are essentials. Therefore, three internal stakeholders that Dr. DoRight might have to deal with on a daily basis are Board of Trustees (shareholders), Employees, and his Regional Director of Compliance Manager and Executive Committee. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from http://www.allfreepapers.com/Business/Corporate-Governance-Ethical-Responsibility/22558.html. Additionally, three external stakeholders that Dr. DoRight might have to deal with on a daily basis consist of Patients, Numerous Community Organizations--Corporations, Government, and Local Community/Society. Retrieved February 10, 2013 from http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/2-compare-contrast-potential-conflicts-exist-duties-loyalty-owed-internal-stakeholder-vs-e-q2569829...

Words: 1685 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Nursing

...between ADN and BSN Nurses Although testing for one’s RN license is universal, the training background of an ADN versus a BSN nurse are very different. This has brought us to the discussion of the differences between an ADN and a BSN level nurse. As the needs of the patient population is changing, the demand for a more educated, skilled, resourceful practitioner is required (Smith, 2009). Personal Experience Example of how an ADN versus BSN nurse would treat a CHF patient. A specific patient case I reviewed, was readmitted to a hospital again within thirty days with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The ADN trained nurse could administer drugs, perform daily weights, ensure that the patient followed a cardiac diet, but was strictly task oriented (The Future of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program, 2013). The BSN trained nurse, would base the care provided using a more integrated system (Why the Push for BSN Nurses?, 2012). The focus of the BSN trained nurse would encompass more teaching, measuring compliance of instructions that were given, and ensure core measures would be met prior to discharge. The follow up care would include determining if the patient had access to meds, home health, understood the need to maintain dietary restrictions, and instruct the patient on keeping a daily weight log to ensure that weight trends would be monitored and recorded. ADN AND BSN DIFFERENCES 3 The college system today has defined an ADN nurse as technical...

Words: 1007 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Education Prepration

...research, there is a movement by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to increase the percentage of BSN or higher educated nurses in workforce. The BSN prepared nurses are assets to hospitals because studies have shown that a high percentage of BSN prepared nurses directly correlates to lower hospital mortality, surgical patient mortality, lower rescue failure, and better patient outcomes, and etc. Findings A study by Dr. Linda Aiken and her colleagues published in the 2003 Journal of the American Medical Association, found direct positive relation to better patient outcomes due to higher educated nursing work force. A Nursing Research done in 2005 by Dr. Carole Estabrooks at the University of Alberta concluded that mortality rate was adversely affected by higher ratio of nurses. A study published in medical care in 2012 also discovered that in surgical patient’s mortality rate was 14% lower in Magnet hospitals. This report’s author determined that these improved results were due to hospital investing in hiring more nursing staff with higher education that is BSN or hire. The clinical care leader and higher level leader’s education is also linked to better led and prepared nursing work force and increasing superior patient outcomes and employee satisfaction. After looking at multiple studies, it is clear that having nurses with higher education is very important to the success of health care institutions....

Words: 879 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Nursing

...between ADN and BSN Nurses Although testing for one’s RN license is universal, the training background of an ADN versus a BSN nurse are very different. This has brought us to the discussion of the differences between an ADN and a BSN level nurse. As the needs of the patient population is changing, the demand for a more educated, skilled, resourceful practitioner is required (Smith, 2009). Personal Experience Example of how an ADN versus BSN nurse would treat a CHF patient. A specific patient case I reviewed, was readmitted to a hospital again within thirty days with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The ADN trained nurse could administer drugs, perform daily weights, ensure that the patient followed a cardiac diet, but was strictly task oriented (The Future of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program, 2013). The BSN trained nurse, would base the care provided using a more integrated system (Why the Push for BSN Nurses?, 2012). The focus of the BSN trained nurse would encompass more teaching, measuring compliance of instructions that were given, and ensure core measures would be met prior to discharge. The follow up care would include determining if the patient had access to meds, home health, understood the need to maintain dietary restrictions, and instruct the patient on keeping a daily weight log to ensure that weight trends would be monitored and recorded. ADN AND BSN DIFFERENCES 3 The college system today has defined an ADN nurse as technical...

Words: 1007 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Competencies of Adn Nurses vs. the Competencies Bsn Nurses

...The Competencies of ADN Nurses vs. the Competencies BSN Nurses Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V May 5, 2012 Abstract Both ADN and BSN nurse needs to take licensing examinations to start working as a registered nurse in the United States. Associate degrees require two years of studying in a community college. However a bachelor’s degree requires four years of academic studying in a college. The first topic of the paper is whether not the risk taking propensities of the nurses changed between ADN and BSN nurses. A second topic of this paper is whether there is a different sort of management role between ADN nurses and BSN nurses. Lastly the quality of work between the Associate Degree Nurses (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree Nurses (BSN) will be examined to see if the competency of the ADN and BSN differs. The Competencies of ADN Nurses vs. the Competencies BSN Nurses History of Nursing According to Joan L Creasia and Elizabeth Friberg, the first baccalaureate degree of nursing in the U.S.A was started in the University of Minnesota in 1909. Until the 1950’s the program usually consisted of two years of general education and then three years of nursing education. These nurses who graduated in 5 years could either begin as a general nurse who works in the hospital and is a part of patient care or they can join the management side of patient care and become managers of hospitals. For the BSN they would have to study liberal arts, patient quality...

Words: 1120 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Adn vs Bsn

...Associate Degree Program vs Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Associate Degree Program vs Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing To become a registered nurse, one must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX exam. There are different routes one may take to become a registered nurse. These routes include a diploma, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree program. The diploma program was the core of nurse educating until the 1960’s. The typical diploma program lasts three years. This program focuses on clinical experience and direct patient care. Over the years, the diploma programs have decreased. In 2010, there was only 54 accredited diploma programs. Since diploma programs are not as common as associate degree programs or bachelor’s degree programs, this paper will compare the ADN and BSN programs and explain why having a bachelor degree in nursing is a benefit to not only the nurse, but also the hospital and the patient. Associate vs. Bachelor’s Degree Programs Associate degree programs typically last two years, but the student is required to take other courses to fulfill graduation requirements. According to Creasia & Friberg (2011),”the ADN program prepares the nurse for direct patient care for secondary care settings, such as community hospitals and long term care facilities”. Many people choose an ADN program because community colleges are less expensive than going to a university. Community colleges can also be more accessible...

Words: 1022 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Law and Ethics

...February 17, 2013 Karris Moses Prof. Armstrong LEG 500 February 17, 2013 Dr. DoRight has recently been hired as the President of the “Universal Human Care Hospital”, where he oversees all departments with over 5,000 employees and over 20,000 patients at the medical facility. He has been provided with a broad set of duties and oversight of numerous departments, including business development, customer services, human resources, legal, patient advocacy, to name a few. He has managers in each department that he supervises and who work with him to address the needs of the various internal and external stakeholders of the hospital. Dr. DoRight discovers that some patients within the hospital have been dying as a result of a variety of illegal procedures by doctors and nurses, and negligent supervision and oversight on their part. This was brought to his attention in a few meetings and he told his Regional Director Compliance Manager and Executive Committee in January 2009. He was told by them that the matter would be investigated and they would report any findings to him as soon as possible. After two (2) years, there have been no results from the investigation and some patients are still passing away due to the negligent activities. He also answers to a board of trustees and interfaces with numerous community organizations and corporations who have various reasons for doing business with the hospital. Dr. DoRight continues to win awards for his leadership of the hospital and meeting...

Words: 2595 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Adn vs Bsn

...BSN Nurse VS ADN Nurse XXX XXXX XXX XXX XXXX Oct. 4, 2013 BSN nurse VS ADN nurse In this following paper I will demonstrate the difference in competencies between nurses at the associate-degree level versus the baccalaureate-degree level. “There are three routes to becoming a register nurse: a 3-year diploma program typically administered in hospitals; a 3-year associate degree usually offered at community colleges; and the 4-year baccalaureate degree offered at senior colleges and universities.” ("Impact of education on nursing practice," 2012, p. 1) “Nursing is a dynamic profession and lifelong learning is essential for nurses to stay current with the increased complexity of the healthcare needs of today and into the future. In other words, the needs of our patients are changing, as we must change in order to better serve that need. BSN degree nurses are better prepared to meet patient needs. The main difference in study between an AND and BSN is the emphasis on additional education in leadership and management, wellness, and community nursing. BSN prepared nurses possess greater knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction as well as illness and disease management and are prepared to assist individuals, groups, and communities to prevent disease and achieve optimum levels of wellness. As nurses expand their role and move further into providing more community based primary care delivery the need for BSN prepared nurses is apparent.”(Ellis...

Words: 832 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Adn Bsn

...ADN vs. BSN : Difference in Competencies Between Associate-Degree Nurses Versus the Baccalaureate-Degree Level in Nursing Toby John Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V 11/24/13 The profession of nursing in the healthcare setting focuses on the care of individuals, families, and communities so that they may acquire, preserve, or recover optimum quality of life and health. There are many differences in competencies based on the department or specialty the nurse will be working in, such as managed care, neonatal, or educational basis. This paper will explore some of the differences in competencies between nurses with an associates degree (ADN) and nurses with a baccalaureate degree (BSN). "Competencies are defined as the knowledge and skills required to perform in a specific job." (Hardy,1999). In nursing, competencies define the duties and skills required for many positions and establish the educational requirements needed to qualify for each nursing position. According to a study done in 1988 by Texas Higher Education Community Board, "Competencies across the spectrum of nursing education varies in complexity, depth, and breadth." (Potter 2006). Competencies of an ADN include, knowledgeable and principled behaviors, effectively working with others in providing healthcare, applying knowledge from theory to clinical settings, and to practice with a secure and caring demeanor. A baccalaureate degree nurse has the same competencies as an ADN as well as critical...

Words: 1087 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Intentional Tort

...healthcare profession, patients expect the information they give to the receptionist, nurse or doctor be kept in complete privacy. A breach of confidentiality, in the medical field, for example, is when information about a patient is given to another individual without written or oral consent. Trust plays a very viable role in any physician/patient relationship. Without this trust, physicians, nurses, EMTs or any other health care provider is unable to provide the proper care each patient desires and deserves. A breach of confidentiality case occurred in Florida, March of 2000. A Dr. of Psychology breached the confidentiality of a married couple that was seeking his help with their marriage. In the state of Florida, the Supreme Courts follow the common law requirement of the Impact Rule. This rule states that, “physical contact must occur to allow damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress.” Florida has started making exceptions to this rule, like other states that still use the Impact Rule. One important exception to this rule is, the patient must suffer a physical injury caused by a psychological trauma. The trauma could be from seeing, witnessing or otherwise being invovled in an event causing negligent injurt to another. The plaintiff must also have a close personal relationship to the directly injured person. In 1993, Donna and Joseph Gracey rendered services from Dr. Donald Eaker, a licensed psychotherapist, for marital issues. He represented he was...

Words: 556 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Max Gerson

...Dr. Max Gerson Jamie Kays Charter College MAP 102 Abstract Dr. Max Gerson found a cure for cancer and many other degenerative diseases in the 1930s. Gerson Therapy is an entirely organic and vegetarian diet. This unique diet detoxifies the body and super charges the immune system. Dr. Max Gerson was poisoned to death in 1959. Dr. Max Gerson Dr. Max Gerson (18 October 1881–8 March 1959) was a German physician, that discovered the cure to cancer, migraines, tuberculosis, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, auto-immune disorders and many other degenerative diseases. He studied medicine at the University of Freinburg, from 1899 to 1906. Dr. Gerson started his first clinic in Bielefield, Germany. Dr. Gerson had started getting debilitating migraines while in school. Dr. Gerson was determined to come up with a cure, so he started with massive changes to his diet. Dr. Gerson removed salt, processed foods, fat and meat from his diet. He also added many natural supplements and a wide array of organic raw foods. Dr. Gerson had cured his migraines in a matter of weeks and stumbled upon the greatest medicine in the world. Dr. Gerson had started using his “migraine” diet to treat some of his patient with skin tuberculosis. He saw staggering results with the healing power of his diet. He had started to make subtle changes finding some things worked better than others. A renowned thoracic surgeon, Ferdinand Saverbruch, heard of the work that Dr. Gerson was doing...

Words: 947 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Darling V Charleston Medical Malpractice Summary

...Darling Vs Charleston Medical Malpractice Plaintiff causes of action In this case, the plaintiff was Dorrence Darling’s father who was complaining on behalf of his son. The defendant in the case was Dr. John R. Alexander, and the Charleston community memorial hospital. Dorrence Darling was an 18-year-old college football player. On November 5, 1960, he broke his leg when he was playing a football game. Following the injury, he was taken to the emergency room at the Charleston hospital for treatment. Dr. Alexander was on duty that day and used a plaster cast on the injured leg. However, shortly after the plaster cast application, the plaintiff was in enormous pain, his toes were protruding out of the cast, swollen and dark; subsequently, his...

Words: 983 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Bsn vs. Adn

...BSN vs. ADN in Nursing Anita Scheiman Grand Canyon University NRS-430V November 1, 2013 BSN vs. ADN in Nursing Through my research for this paper I have found that RNs who have an associate degree or diploma are more likely to make errors during clinical practice. Nurses who hold Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees have a stronger foundation in which to build better communication, leadership, critical thinking and problem solving skills. The high demands placed on today's nurses really challenge all of these skills on a daily basis. Nurses with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees have a better understanding of the importance to be proficient in these skills. In a study of RN-to-BSN degree graduates from 1995 to 1998 (Phillips, Palmer, Zimmerman, & Mayfield, 2002), these students demonstrated higher competency in nursing practice, communication, leadership, professional integration, and research/evaluation. The added classes enhances the student’s view for a wide scope of practice which will aid the nurse in comprehending the many issues that plague patients and impact health care. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can help a nurse be more confident in his/her ability no matter the patient care setting. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that the ADN and BSN nurses are not different in skill competency when they graduate, but over time, the BSN nurses show greater critical thinking skills, better problem solving, and the development...

Words: 921 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Rn to Bsn

...ADN VS BSN PATRINA HAYES GCU ADN VS BSN The nursing field is a rapidly growing profession that requires many different levels of degrees. Registered nurses can have levels of education ranging from a Associates to Doctorate degree. This paper will give a better understanding to the difference between the Associates degree in nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN). The ADN program was established in 1951 due to a nursing shortage in the post war years (Haase, 1990) Since then, the curriculum has changed from teacher or subject oriented to bedside and basic critical thinking skill. The ADN program is a two year program not including the required general education classes. The BSN program is a four year program including prerequisites. The BSN program emphasizes in critical thinking, leadership skills and a professional role away from the bedside. Both programs include their core curriculum of Adult Health, Maternal and Newborn nursing and Pediatrics. BSN Program includes nursing research and nursing informatics. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing(AACN) believes nurse with their BSN degree are more prepared for today’s workforce due to their well-developed critical thinking skills, leadership and ability to practice in different settings The ADN student focuses on providing bedside care to patients with acute and chronic health needs with policy and procedures reflecting current standard of care. The obvious differences between the programs are...

Words: 813 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Rn vs Bsn

...The Differences Among Us: ADN vs. BSN The Differences Among Us: ADN vs. BSN Having worked with hundreds of registered nurses throughout my ten year career, it is not usually very easy to determine if the nurse next to me graduated with an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. Whether working with a charge nurse, staff nurse or even a case manager, the differences are minor, and only upon further inspection realized. Both types of nurses are qualified and excel at their jobs, but the BSN nurse has the extra training and critical thinking skills needed, not only for their current station in life, but also their future and growth in the field. First I will be discussing why there are so many more ADN nurses in relation to BSN nurses. Secondly, a discussion of why there is a major push towards BSN prepared nurses. Last, a look into the differences I have noticed in my own nursing career between the ADN nurse and the BSN nurse. Not long ago, the primary degree in nursing was a hospital diploma. This was the standard way to becoming a nurse. As recently as the mid-1980’s, half of the country’s registered nurses had started that way. By that time though, community colleges and the associate’s degree of nursing was beginning to take over (Perez-Pena, 2012, para. 4). Although many four year programs existed, this was the quickest and easiest way for a student to obtain a nursing degree. This quicker program appealed especially to the workforce that were going back to school...

Words: 1073 - Pages: 5