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Doctors Vs. Nurses

Doctors Vs. Nurses

While the medical field offers literally dozens of occupations, doctors and nurses are the ones who tend to get the most attention. Let's take a look at why not all doctor or nurse jobs are created equal.

Show Me the Money

Median salaries (1, 2)

Nurses; Doctors

Licensed practical nurse (LPN): $42,490; General practice: $130,465

Registered nurse (RN): $67,490; Family medicine: $169,327

Certified midwife: $92,510; Internal medicine: $182,888

Nurse practitioner (NP): $98,190; Neurologist: $203,438

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS): $102,670; OB/GYN: $204,716

Certified nurse anesthetist (CNA): $157,140; Radiologist: $291,823

Education Opens Doors

Nurses

Each nursing degree has its own level of required education. (1)

Degrees

LPN: Program at community college or vocational school

LPN to Associate Degree (ADN): Two-year bridge program leading to clinical practice

Associate in Nursing (ASN): Two years, stepping stone to BSN program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Four-year college program, including practical learning on-site

Second-Degree BSN: Two-year program for those who already possess a BS degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 18-24 month program, including Nurse Practitioner and midwifery programs

Doctorate in Nursing (PhD): Three-year program, including specialized Nurse Practitioners and nursing educators

There are 104 nursing specialties. (3)

Popular specialty options

  • Cardiology
  • Correctional facility
  • Critical care
  • Emergency
  • Geriatric
  • Labor and delivery
  • Anesthetics
  • Gynecology
  • Oncology
  • Pediatric
  • Psychiatric
  • Radiology
  • Toxicology
  • Trauma

Doctors

Prospective physicians generally spend four years in an undergraduate degree in biology or chemistry (B.S.). After that, they attend medical school. (4)

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.): Four-year program for general practice of medicine

D.O.: Doctor of osteopathic medicine, four-year program

Residency: Required work in desired field for 3-7 years

Specialization and licensing: Doctors who decide to specialize get advanced training

Master's degrees: Graduate degrees in medicine include public health, research and more

There are over 120 specialties for physicians.

Popular specialty options (5)

  • Allergy and immunology
  • Anesthetics
  • Cardiology
  • Colorectal
  • Dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • Family practice
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology
  • Internal medicine
  • Neonatal care
  • Neuropathology
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacy
  • Plastic surgery
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Sports medicine
  • Urology

Employment Outlook

Both jobs are expected to grow over the next half-decade.

Percentage growth 2014-2024 (6)

Registered nurses: 16%

Doctors: 14%

Projected percentage growth by state (2016-18) (7)

Alabama: 2.2

Alaska: 3.6

Arkansas: 3.5

California: 5.1

Colorado: 7.9

Connecticut: 1.8

Delaware: 2.5

District of Columbia: 2.5

Florida: 5.3

Georgia: 4.1

Hawaii: 2.1

Illinois: 1.6

Indiana: 2.3

Iowa: 1.8

Kansas: 0.9

Kentucky: 1.9

Louisiana: 1.6

Maine: 1.1

Maryland: -0.1

Massachusetts: 4.1

Michigan: 1.9

Mississippi: 0.6

Missouri: 2.2

Montana: 2.9

Nebraska: 2

Nevada: 7.1

New Hampshire: 2.2

New Mexico: 2.2

New York: 3.7

North Carolina: 3.5

North Dakota: 2.8

Ohio: 2.2

Oklahoma: 1.1

Oregon: 4.6

Pennsylvania: 2.2

Puerto Rico: 0.2

Rhode Island: 0.5

South Carolina: 3.2

South Dakota: 1.5

Tennessee: 1.9

Utah: 4.5

Vermont: 3.5

Virginia: 3.2

Washington: 3.8

Wyoming: 1.5

N/A: State's information not available

Sources:
1. http://www.allnursingschools.com
2. http://www.payscale.com
3. https://www.discovernursing.com
4. https://www.ama-assn.org
5. https://www.aamc.org
6. https://www.bls.gov
7. http://www.projectionscentral.com

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