The Differences Between Doctors and Nurses, Explained
Blue Daily
| 4 min read
When most people go to the doctor, they assume they’re going to see a physician with a Doctor of Medicine degree, but that’s only one of the many kinds of medical professionals who help you stay healthy.
A team of doctors, nurses, physician assistants and specialists work together on your preventive care and treatment for illnesses and chronic conditions. While the result is a team of caregivers, that can also lead to some confusion.
Here’s an overview of some of the medical professionals who might treat you in doctor's offices, clinics and hospitals.
Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
These are the two main types of physicians who will lead your health care team. The main difference is whether their degree was a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO).
MDs are the most common; they receive education and training on an allopathic, or illness-based, approach to health care.
If your doctor has a DO degree, they been educated with a holistic view of medicine and may have been trained to perform a form of musculoskeletal manipulation called osteopathic manipulative treatment.
However, both types of doctors provide preventive care, treatment for acute illnesses and chronic conditions and whole person care.
Both MDs and DOs have similar education requirements that include four years of college, four years of medical school, a one-year internship and usually two years of residency. They both can work as primary care providers (PCPs) in general medicine and family medicine. An MD and DO can also become a specialist in an area like cardiology or gastroenterology by completing even more education such as a residency or fellowship in the specific field. Physicians who choose surgical residencies go on to practice general surgery and can also do fellowships and further specialize in fields such as cardiac surgery or neurosurgery.
Physician Assistant (PA)
A physician assistant performs many clinical tasks to assist physicians, such as ordering tests, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medicine and updating patient records in a primary care or hospital setting. PAs with specific training can assist in surgeries.
PAs usually need to complete a four-year college program and another two to three years of post-graduate education. PAs don’t go through formal internship or residency programs but usually have several years of experience in areas related to health care such as military paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) experience.
Registered Nurse (RN)
An RN is a clinician who provide and coordinate patient care in inpatient and outpatient settings. They are often in charge of monitoring patients, taking vital signs, administering medications, documenting the patients’ history and more. RNs may also specialize in areas such as anesthesia and become a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
RNs have a nursing degree and have passed a licensing exam.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Also called Advanced Practice Nurses, NPs provide health care such as diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications and counseling on healthy living and chronic condition management.
NPs are nurses with a master's or doctorate degree who have undergone advanced clinical training and have licensing that enables them to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term care environments.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs (also called Licensed Vocation Nurses) provide basic patient care such as administering medication and taking vital signs under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician or dentist. They may monitor patient status and maintain medical records.
They train for one year at a community college or vocational school and get licensed by their state.
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants work with physicians, often in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, and provide basic patient care. They are cross trained to perform both clinical duties as well as administrative ones, such as arranging hospital admissions and laboratory services and handling correspondence, bookkeeping and billing.
This profession requires a two-year associate’s degree.
Learn more about these categories and state regulations and licensing requirements.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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