Doctor or Nurse?

[Hpmedst]

Hi. I've been in college for about 2 1/2 years now as a premed student, however, I'm looking more at the nursing field. Someone suggested to me that I might be more compatible to nursing than to being a physician. I was just wondering what the differences are, in terms of what I would do in either job position, between being a NP and a physician. They have pretty similar authorities and responsibilities. What really separates them?--other than one's a "nurse" and one's a "doctor."--And why would someone say my personality matches more to a nurse?--What characteristics do nurses typically have that doctors don't typically have (not to say one's all one way and one's all another way)?

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[Bangersandmash]

I'd say if you're female, become a nurse. If you're male, become a doctor. That's just the way things work in this day and age.

 

[Blackhawkdown24]

I'd say if you're female, become a nurse. If you're male, become a doctor. That's just the way things work in this day and age.

Sexist are we???

 

[tarheel1408]

I'd say if you're female, become a nurse. If you're male, become a doctor. That's just the way things work in this day and age.

So here's an example of how pre-meds have terrible senses of humor.

Maybe this is a sign that if you have a great sense of humor you should be a nurse?

 

[Freesia88]

I was gonna put up a couple of links which will give you an idea of what SDN generally thinks about DNP's. But my search came up with too many results...so go ahead and do a search (top right hand corner of the page).

Here is the short version:

There is a lot on animosity towards DNP's as a whole. Some physicians recognize that as midlevels they fill an important gap, but the idea that some one with way less training should consider themselves equal in scope of practice, rankles with some.

But seriously do a search, you will get a lot on useful information.

 

[Hpmedst]

When you say, "this day and age," are you referring to 60 years ago? Contrary to your, I assume purposefully offensive statement, most of the premedical students I know are women and about half of the nursing/ prenursing students I know are men.

I'm not going to argue with someone who isn't in the same century as the rest of us are. I'd be appreciative if someone gave me an honest and thoughtful response. Thanks.

 

[Life Sucks]

Oh, here we go!

 

[Freesia88]

Sexist are we???

When you say, "this day and age," are you referring to 60 years ago? Contrary to your, I assume purposefully offensive statement, most of the premedical students I know are women and about half of the nursing/ prenursing students I know are men.

I'm not going to argue with someone who isn't in the same century as the rest of us are. I'd be appreciative if someone gave me an honest and thoughtful response. Thanks.

Seriously? Its called a sense of humor.... you should look into it. It's kinda fun.

And OP, for the love of God, do a search.

 

[tarheel1408]

Seriously? Its called a sense of humor.... you should look into it. It's kinda fun.

And OP, for the love of God, do a search.

Freesia, I think the joke was so bad that it was lost on many people.

You have to be careful about using sarcasm without access to tone of voice, etc..

 

[ClemsonFirst]

Yes. Med Schools try to keep their enrollment around 50% guys and 50% girls. Like Freesia said, do a quick search, but DNP has less training than physicians and are less qualified to work on their own for the most part. They are licensed under physicians, and are insured under physicians. So less responsibility and less knowledge and income but also less insurance.

 

[Hpmedst]

Well, I did my own research already, but all I got were ignorant, rude, and hateful responses. I was hoping to get muore insight on a forum dedicated to medical professions.

 

[drscholls]

.

 

[Freesia88]

Well, I did my own research already, but all I got were ignorant, rude, and hateful responses. I was hoping to get muore insight on a forum dedicated to medical professions.

And you came to SDN.... Goodluck...


To be fair, hidden within those rude and hateful responses, is the very information you are looking for.

You might not like what you are reading, but seeing as these are health professionals who for the most part do kinda know what they are talking about, you just have to sort through the rubbish to find the gems.

 

[tarheel1408]

Well, I did my own research already, but all I got were ignorant, rude, and hateful responses. I was hoping to get muore insight on a forum dedicated to medical professions.

Well, this forum isn't exclusively for medical professionals, lots of pre-meds and even high school students wander in here.

My advice is this: I would take some time to shadow a number of both nurses and doctors. I think you should experience the professions first hand instead of taking advice off an internet forum.

That being said, I've never heard of a doctor that wished they had done nursing instead, and I have heard of many cases where nurses wish they had gone to medical school.

 

[Freesia88]

Let's just put the OP out of her misery... These threads seem to have some well intentioned responses from medical students and practicing physicians. I can't guaranteee there will be no hatefulness and rude ness, but this is the internet...

http://studentdoctor.net/2011/04/sdn-reports-the-dnp-degree/

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=648397

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=958201

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=726620

And as Tarheel said, shadowing also would give you more information.

 

[circulus vitios]

Well, I did my own research already, but all I got were ignorant, rude, and hateful responses. I was hoping to get muore insight on a forum dedicated to medical professions.

Nurses hand out medications, check on patients, etc. Physicians create treatment plans. Physicians are still involved in patient care but they're not as "front line" as nurses.

 

[Bangersandmash]

Sexist are we???

I think you spelled sexy wrong.

So here's an example of how pre-meds have terrible senses of humor.

Maybe this is a sign that if you have a great sense of humor you should be a nurse?

On the contrary, nurses have terrible senses of humor. Because they are women.

Freesia, I think the joke was so bad that it was lost on many people.

The joke was so elegant and high brow that most people didn't get it.

Well, I did my own research already, but all I got were ignorant, rude, and hateful responses. I was hoping to get muore insight on a forum dedicated to medical professions.

Posting questions on internet forums is not "research." I'd help you Google something, but I'm not from this century so I don't know how to use technology. And apparently, you don't either.

 

[neusu]

Nurses are ancillary staff. They take the orders from the doctor and carry them out. Likewise, they are on the front line and notify the doctor if something seems awry.

NP/PA are midlevel providers. They practice medicine much like a doctor, but have a limited scope of practice. This is becoming blurred due to recent expansions of NP and DNP in to both independent practice and "residency." Midlevel providers have a valid role in the current healthcare environment. The mandate of NP to DNP is silly, and if you believe that a nurse doctor should be allowed to function independently then you had wanted to go to medical school you should have.

MD/DO are the physicians/surgeons involved. They evaluate patients and make care plans. They count on the other members of the health care team to provide valid, useful information to modify this plan.

With respect to your question, think about what you would like to do with your life and where you want to be. Many NPs are happy with their decision, it is only a masters (or now "doctorate") after undergrad nursing and pays well with less requirements on further training and restrictions on practice. If you think you want to be "in charge" then you need to go to medical school.

 

[Hpmedst]

Mkay, well I did in-fact, google way before I posted. I don't think I can find what I want on here. This was the wrong site. Thanks anyways. I'm going to ask actual nurses and doctors, if I can find any who aren't busy with their jobs.

 

[Bangersandmash]

Mkay, well I did in-fact, google way before I posted. I don't think I can find what I want on here. This was the wrong site. Thanks anyways. I'm going to ask actual nurses and doctors, if I can find any who aren't busy with their jobs.

If you can't handle the realities of an online internet forum, you're going to struggle coping with real life *****s and other real life challenges.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Noctor

 

[Freesia88]

I'm guessing there are specific things you want to hear (...good things about DNP's and how they are, or should be equal in scope and practice to Doctors...perhaps?)

The truth is they are not. They are important members of the health care system and likely will fill certain roles that doctors do not, but they are not doctors.

Good luck in your search....emphasis on search.

 

[usnrodrigo]

I don't know why people can't answer a question on here. There seems to be a lot of arrogance going around these forums.
To my understanding there are differences in the way the patient is viewed. An MD would see the disease.
The Nurse see's the patient in a holistic sense. How is the patient doing overall? What can I do to make the patient more comfortable? Does the patient need to just talk? These are all ways in which the Nurse approaches her aspect of the patient.

Perhaps a DO would be a good route for you if you wish to be in charge?

 

[SpecterGT260]

I don't know why people can't answer a question on here. There seems to be a lot of arrogance going around these forums.
To my understanding there are differences in the way the patient is viewed. An MD would see the disease.
The Nurse see's the patient in a holistic sense. How is the patient doing overall? What can I do to make the patient more comfortable? Does the patient need to just talk? These are all ways in which the Nurse approaches her aspect of the patient.

Perhaps a DO would be a good route for you if you wish to be in charge?

You misunderstand.


And why exactly are you throwing DO out there as a happy medium?

Nurses are support staff. Some of them really care about the patient. Some of them see patients as whiney pains in the asses who make their day more difficult.

Some doctors only see or care about the disease the patient has. Some patients only need this. Other doctors are much more relatable and give additional effort towards the emotional wellbeing of their patients.

The differences in percent are pretty minimal. Except that it is the nurses JOB to tend to the comfort aspects of hospital stay. You don't page your surgeon when you need a blanket. You do hit the nurse call button. This has nothing to do with the personality or demeanor of either provider.

No more of this "holistic" buzzword crap. We need a system to rub the noses of pre-meds in this like a puppy who has made a mess on the rug. 99% of you don't even really know what the word means and the other 1% don't know how it is applied to practice. It makes absolutely no sense for all the pre-meds to spout off about "doctors only see the disease" and then complain on these forums about how you have to demonstrate so much altruism in order for medschools to take you. Completely opposite sentiments.

 

[TAMallick]

When a student enough meritorious and good at Biology and Chemistry, then he/she is well fit for studying in medical science. If a student is not enough meritorious and interested to serve people, then she/he is well fit for nursing studying.

 

[Hpmedst]

Well, from the research I saw, NP can diagnose and prescribe drugs, which is why I said SOME of their capabilities are similar. I'm not asking for some happy unrealistic medium. You guys are putting words in my mouth and being very antagonistic and condescending, and it's really unnecessary. If you guys are/become doctors, and this is how you react when someone asks for help, I hope you're never my doctor.

 

[Freesia88]

Well, from the research I saw, NP can diagnose and prescribe drugs, which is why I said SOME of their capabilities are similar. I'm not asking for some happy unrealistic medium. You guys are putting words in my mouth and being very antagonistic and condescending, and it's really unnecessary. If you guys are/become doctors, and this is how you react when someone asks for help, I hope you're never my doctor.

Oh good grief... perhaps you should have done what you said you were going to do and go look somewhere else? Shadow a few doctors and nurses and DNP's?

This is exactly the kind of response you would get from posting a question like that on the internet. Some useful some not. it is your job to sort through and find what makes sense.

Who do you think we are? Your research assistants?

 

[usnrodrigo]

Well, if you guys are/become doctors, and this is how you react when someone asks for help, I hope you're never my doctor.

I highly agree with you.

 

[Bangersandmash]

I don't know why people can't answer a question on here. There seems to be a lot of arrogance going around these forums.
To my understanding there are differences in the way the patient is viewed. An MD would see the disease.
The Nurse see's the patient in a holistic sense. How is the patient doing overall? What can I do to make the patient more comfortable? Does the patient need to just talk? These are all ways in which the Nurse approaches her aspect of the patient.

Perhaps a DO would be a good route for you if you wish to be in charge?

So you're saying doctors to show any empathy towards their patients and just treat sicknesses? You don't really need to do a search to figure out you are really wrong. Maybe you've just been to/shadowed crappy doctors lacking people skills, but many doctors care about the patient in a holistic sense and have the knowledge to treat the illness.

You misunderstand.


And why exactly are you throwing DO out there as a happy medium?

Nurses are support staff. Some of them really care about the patient. Some of them see patients as whiney pains in the asses who make their day more difficult.

Some doctors only see or care about the disease the patient has. Some patients only need this. Other doctors are much more relatable and give additional effort towards the emotional wellbeing of their patients.

The differences in percent are pretty minimal. Except that it is the nurses JOB to tend to the comfort aspects of hospital stay. You don't page your surgeon when you need a blanket. You do hit the nurse call button. This has nothing to do with the personality or demeanor of either provider.

No more of this "holistic" buzzword crap. We need a system to rub the noses of pre-meds in this like a puppy who has made a mess on the rug. 99% of you don't even really know what the word means and the other 1% don't know how it is applied to practice. It makes absolutely no sense for all the pre-meds to spout off about "doctors only see the disease" and then complain on these forums about how you have to demonstrate so much altruism in order for medschools to take you. Completely opposite sentiments.

100% agreed, although wouldn't you say there are significant differences between a nurse practitioner and a nurse? I think that's more of what the OP wanted to get at. As for a nurse practitioners job, I think it is much more closer to a doctor's than a nurses. At my PCP, I usually see the NP because it takes two weeks to get an appointment with my PCP but I can see the NP same day. Never had a problem she couldn't diagnose and fix. Even saw her for a pre-op eval to ok a surgery from a specialist. In that respect, she was fulfilling many more doctor duties rather than nurse duties, especially since someone else in the office took my vitals, blood, etc.

 

[Hpmedst]

Also, I'm doing well in my science classes, and have a 3.6. I'm set academically. I was just looking at it as an option because I'm open to hearing both sides of the story. Some people say that they would prefer to be a nurse because of they have more patient interaction. This lady became an osteopathic doctor, but went back to nursing: http://nurseweb.villanova.edu/archivenursing.villanova.edu/nursnews/Spotlight/DrCapriotti.htm

As a career, I wanted to know what the difference is as far as characteristics. I know what the differences are as far as education requirements, etc. I wanted some perspective on it. I'm not trying to "workless" nor "stressless." I would actually like to be able to interact with my patients on an in depth level, and I would like encourage preventative medicine.

It'd really be cool if you guys could calm down. It's just a question. I didn't say they were equal. I was just asking a question. Thanks.

 

[ClemsonFirst]

You could always become a social worker. They have lots of contact and work towards preventative medicine.

 

[Hpmedst]

Mkay, I'm done looking at this forum. Everybody's getting so worked up and political over the fact that I said the word "nurse." I'm not asking you to do my research for me; I was just asking for honest insight. Thank you for those people who tried to honestly help me. I hope everyone has a good day.

 

[Eiot]

I think you spelled sexy wrong.



On the contrary, nurses have terrible senses of humor. Because they are women.



The joke was so elegant and high brow that most people didn't get it.



Posting questions on internet forums is not "research." I'd help you Google something, but I'm not from this century so I don't know how to use technology. And apparently, you don't either.

I like this guy's style.

To the OP, you should probably start growing thicker skin if you plan to be in the medical profession at all. NP or Dr. you'll still have to deal with people you may not like all day long. Just some friendly advice. Take it or leave it, I care not.

 

[circulus vitios]

Mkay, I'm done looking at this forum. Everybody's getting so worked up and political over the fact that I said the word "nurse." I'm not asking you to do my research for me; I was just asking for honest insight. Thank you for those people who tried to honestly help me. I hope everyone has a good day.

Stick around. Who cares what they think.

 

[usnrodrigo]

You misunderstand.


And why exactly are you throwing DO out there as a happy medium?

Nurses are support staff. Some of them really care about the patient. Some of them see patients as whiney pains in the asses who make their day more difficult.

Some doctors only see or care about the disease the patient has. Some patients only need this. Other doctors are much more relatable and give additional effort towards the emotional wellbeing of their patients.

The differences in percent are pretty minimal. Except that it is the nurses JOB to tend to the comfort aspects of hospital stay. You don't page your surgeon when you need a blanket. You do hit the nurse call button. This has nothing to do with the personality or demeanor of either provider.

No more of this "holistic" buzzword crap. We need a system to rub the noses of pre-meds in this like a puppy who has made a mess on the rug. 99% of you don't even really know what the word means and the other 1% don't know how it is applied to practice. It makes absolutely no sense for all the pre-meds to spout off about "doctors only see the disease" and then complain on these forums about how you have to demonstrate so much altruism in order for medschools to take you. Completely opposite sentiments.

Oh little Johnny I know you think you know it all but this is why I proposed him/her looking at a DO's approach.

http://www.aacom.org/about/osteomed/pages/default.aspx

If you knew what holistic meant you would know, that's a Nurse's approach to medicine.

I'm not gonna get into a who's penis is bigger. A question was asked and my thoughts were given. If you don't agree with it then that's ok also. I respect that you're a keyboard cage fighter.

 

[Bacchus]

Also, I'm doing well in my science classes, and have a 3.6. I'm set academically. I was just looking at it as an option because I'm open to hearing both sides of the story. Some people say that they would prefer to be a nurse because of they have more patient interaction. This lady became an osteopathic doctor, but went back to nursing: http://nurseweb.villanova.edu/archivenursing.villanova.edu/nursnews/Spotlight/DrCapriotti.htm

As a career, I wanted to know what the difference is as far as characteristics. I know what the differences are as far as education requirements, etc. I wanted some perspective on it. I'm not trying to "workless" nor "stressless." I would actually like to be able to interact with my patients on an in depth level, and I would like encourage preventative medicine.

It'd really be cool if you guys could calm down. It's just a question. I didn't say they were equal. I was just asking a question. Thanks.

She's not practicing as an NP. She's teaching. The degree was required to teach. She simply got the degree to teach the niche she wanted. She could have easily taught medical students but for whatever reason didn't want to.

She'd be crazy to go back to practice as a DNP. For one, her reimbursement rates would obviously be lower and two, she'd be the laughing stock of wherever she repeats pattern recognition scenarios (as a DNP).

 

[Geebeejay]

You could always become a social worker. They have lots of contact and work towards preventative medicine.

except they don't treat patients in any way, and you can throw your knack for science out the window. I'm not knocking the profession - I frequently suggest people consider social work, but I dont think it's for him.

You should try to shadow both and compare- I am sure that you can find a nurse that would be pumped to have you shadow him/her, and be more than willing to tell you some reasons why being a nurse is better than being a doctor. As a nurse, you WILL be at the bedside more. But on the flipside, you will have less power to provide the treatments that you think are fit for your patient.

And don't listen to these gunners telling you to just go for your DNP. If you end up choosing nursing, go to nursing school, become an RN man...do it for a few years, gain some seniority, and find a position in a department you really like. Nurses in the ED and ICU end up doing a lot of critical thinking similar (but not the same) to the kind you will do as a MD. And then if you want to start doing some "practicing" of medicine, pursue your DNP or the highest possible degree.

And if you're seriously considering nursing, read this blog if you want to read about what nurses REALLY do and what nurses REALLY have to know in caring for their patients. http://icufaqs.org/

 

[SpecterGT260]

Oh little Johnny I know you think you know it all but this is why I proposed him/her looking at a DO's approach.

http://www.aacom.org/about/osteomed/pages/default.aspx

If you knew what holistic meant you would know, that's a Nurse's approach to medicine.

I'm not gonna get into a who's penis is bigger. A question was asked and my thoughts were given. If you don't agree with it then that's ok also. I respect that you're a keyboard cage fighter.

Your smugness only accentuates how great the irony is here. You have literally no idea what you are talking about. I bet that's rough

Nurses would be holistic if they were tending to the medical aspect of care. They don't. They are support staff in that role, and in terms of nurse duties, you don't have to be holistic in any capacity to carry out the duties of a nurse. Holistic means tending to the entirety of a person. It doesnt mean any of the random hocus pocus that many of you guys like to attribute to it. Changing lines, monitoring vitals, and occasionally asking the patient if they need anything for comfort is not holistic.

so.... why exactly did you link the osteopathic website there? If you aren't throwing that out there as a middle ground in terms of holistic nonsense... was it just a brainless plug for an otherwise equivalent degree to MD? Honestly, in terms of the OP "should I go doctor or nurse" the answer "well how about DO?" is... well.... that answer rides to school on a bus with only 3 rows of seats. Let's just put it that way Johnny

 

[usnrodrigo]

The OP was told her personality was more in line with that of a nurse. An MD and DO do have different approaches to the way medicine is practiced. The OP's first ambition was to become a doctor. How is my suggesting to look at the way a DO practices not knowing what I'm talking about? Do you believe an MD and a DO have the same school of thought on medicine? Why can't the OP find a like in the way a DO approaches medicine instead of an MD?
How much experience do you have to say you know what medicine is all about and critique my opinions and suggestions towards the OP?
Anyhow respond if you like, or don't. This is turning into a troll session. Like many of the posts on the SDN. I you don't agree with my thoughts that's cool.

 

[phikapdoctor]

Just go to medical school and get your M.D. Disown and practice as a nurse.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

 

[usnrodrigo]

Just go to medical school and get your M.D. Disown and practice as a nurse.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

Lol

 

[SpecterGT260]

The OP was told her personality was more in line with that of a nurse. An MD and DO do have different approaches to the way medicine is practiced.

No they don't. This is a common misconception perpetuated by pre-meds who have no idea what medical schooling, training, or practice is really about (don't feel bad, we have all been there)
Hence my strong response on the subject. So even though you called me out for some reason for my objection to your use of DO... apparently I hit the nail on the head with why you posted it

The OP's first ambition was to become a doctor. How is my suggesting to look at the way a DO practices not knowing what I'm talking about?

Because you don't know what you are talking about The approach is the same. OMT is the only difference in trianing, and it isnt a perspective, it is a therapy. That is like saying your cardiologist has a different outlook on medicine as compared to your nephrologist because some of the drugs they use are different.

Do you believe an MD and a DO have the same school of thought on medicine?

Yes, in the same way that I believe that 2+2=4. This isn't really a matter of opinion. The "difference" is a romanticized urban legend spread among pre-meds and patients who like "holistic" (read: alternative) approaches and are disenfranchised with modern medicine. The great irony is that they fall head over heels for confirmation bias when they meet a DO they like. Placebo works on many levels, not just treatment modalities.

Why can't the OP find a like in the way a DO approaches medicine instead of an MD?

The OP certainly can prefer DO. But to do so for reasons that dont exist (i.e. "holistic" approaches or this phantom different outlook) would be foolish. If you like DO for what it offers go for it. If you prefer holistic medicine and go DO the most holistic part of your training will be you, not the training

How much experience do you have to say you know what medicine is all about and critique my opinions and suggestions towards the OP?
.

Seriously?
I thought I knew what medicine was when I was pre-med as well. Since becoming a medical student the only thing about medicine that I have learned is that I don't know crap. Luckily I was graced with the ability to apply this knowledge onto my past and draw comparisons to others who are in the position I was in previously

 

[Freesia88]

The OP was told her personality was more in line with that of a nurse. An MD and DO do have different approaches to the way medicine is practiced. The OP's first ambition was to become a doctor. How is my suggesting to look at the way a DO practices not knowing what I'm talking about? Do you believe an MD and a DO have the same school of thought on medicine? Why can't the OP find a like in the way a DO approaches medicine instead of an MD?
How much experience do you have to say you know what medicine is all about and critique my opinions and suggestions towards the OP?
Anyhow respond if you like, or don't. This is turning into a troll session. Like many of the posts on the SDN. I you don't agree with my thoughts that's cool.

From what I have heard...the only real difference between DO's and MD's is OMM...which many DO's do not even use. Also, if MD's and DO's are so different why are they for all intents and purposes merging? See link below...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=959475

If the OP wants to be a Doctor, why is someone saying she should be a nurse such a cause of concern for her? She claims to have done her research and knows what the basic differences are ( which I doubt...) She asked for opinions, she got opinions. its that simple.

 

[mimelim]

Mkay, well I did in-fact, google way before I posted. I don't think I can find what I want on here. This was the wrong site. Thanks anyways. I'm going to ask actual nurses and doctors, if I can find any who aren't busy with their jobs.

10 minutes PRIOR to you making this above post a physician answered your question very well. I will quote it for you:

Nurses are ancillary staff. They take the orders from the doctor and carry them out. Likewise, they are on the front line and notify the doctor if something seems awry.

NP/PA are midlevel providers. They practice medicine much like a doctor, but have a limited scope of practice. This is becoming blurred due to recent expansions of NP and DNP in to both independent practice and "residency." Midlevel providers have a valid role in the current healthcare environment. The mandate of NP to DNP is silly, and if you believe that a nurse doctor should be allowed to function independently then you had wanted to go to medical school you should have.

MD/DO are the physicians/surgeons involved. They evaluate patients and make care plans. They count on the other members of the health care team to provide valid, useful information to modify this plan.

With respect to your question, think about what you would like to do with your life and where you want to be. Many NPs are happy with their decision, it is only a masters (or now "doctorate") after undergrad nursing and pays well with less requirements on further training and restrictions on practice. If you think you want to be "in charge" then you need to go to medical school.

neusu is a Neurosurgery resident. What he said is absolutely spot on and the fact that every person in this thread ignored what he said is a problem (not just the OP). Let me simply echo what he said. There you have it, two physicians think the same thing on this topic. This isn't exactly a controversial topic and if you spend a couple of years in a hospital, it becomes pretty obvious.

 

[usnrodrigo]

No they don't. This is a common misconception perpetuated by pre-meds who have no idea what medical schooling, training, or practice is really about (don't feel bad, we have all been there)
Hence my strong response on the subject. So even though you called me out for some reason for my objection to your use of DO... apparently I hit the nail on the head with why you posted it

Because you don't know what you are talking about The approach is the same. OMT is the only difference in trianing, and it isnt a perspective, it is a therapy. That is like saying your cardiologist has a different outlook on medicine as compared to your nephrologist because some of the drugs they use are different.


Yes, in the same way that I believe that 2+2=4. This isn't really a matter of opinion. The "difference" is a romanticized urban legend spread among pre-meds and patients who like "holistic" (read: alternative) approaches and are disenfranchised with modern medicine. The great irony is that they fall head over heels for confirmation bias when they meet a DO they like. Placebo works on many levels, not just treatment modalities.


The OP certainly can prefer DO. But to do so for reasons that dont exist (i.e. "holistic" approaches or this phantom different outlook) would be foolish. If you like DO for what it offers go for it. If you prefer holistic medicine and go DO the most holistic part of your training will be you, not the training


Seriously?
I thought I knew what medicine was when I was pre-med as well. Since becoming a medical student the only thing about medicine that I have learned is that I don't know crap. Luckily I was graced with the ability to apply this knowledge onto my past and draw comparisons to others who are in the position I was in previously

So why is there a allopathic and osteopathic approach to medicine? They are the same just carry a different name?

 

[mimelim]

From what I have heard...the only real difference between DO's and MD's is OMM...which many DO's do not even use. Also, if MD's and DO's are so different why are they for all intents and purposes merging? See link below...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=959475

If the OP wants to be a Doctor, why is someone saying she should be a nurse such a cause of concern for her? She claims to have done her research and knows what the basic differences are ( which I doubt...) She asked for opinions, she got opinions. its that simple.

They are not really merging so much as ACGME is taking over the DO match and instituting its standards on the DO residency programs. Functionally, MDs and DOs can end up in the same residencies and function in the exact same capacity. I would make the argument that it is the same as saying HMS grads are the same as the 'worst' US MD class. Yes, they CAN end up in the same residencies, but while there are always exceptions, on average, they don't.

 

[SpecterGT260]

So why is there a allopathic and osteopathic approach to medicine? They are the same just carry a different name?

Yes. Historically osteopaths WERE quite different. But... they havent been for well... since before you were born. Today DO and MD practice medicine entirely the same with the exception of OMT. Some DOs are nicer and the patient thinks this means "holisic" i.e. "he cared about me as a PERSON!" but so are some MDs. As many MDs employ alternative therapies as do DOs, in fact quackwatch.org has more MDs on its watch list than DOs

DOs are a newer and weaker degree which is why many have lower entry standards, but in terms of licensing they are on equal footing with MDs. So basically the governing body of DOs (AOA) has been holding on to its influence for reasons that are largely financial while the two degrees become indistinguishable in practice. That changed recently, however, as AOA residencies will now be overseen by the ACGME.

 

[Freesia88]

From what I have heard...the only real difference between DO's and MD's is OMM...which many DO's do not even use. Also, if MD's and DO's are so different why are they for all intents and purposes merging? See link below...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=959475

If the OP wants to be a Doctor, why is someone saying she should be a nurse such a cause of concern for her? She claims to have done her research and knows what the basic differences are ( which I doubt...) She asked for opinions, she got opinions. its that simple.

They are not really merging so much as ACGME is taking over the DO match and instituting its standards on the DO residency programs. Functionally, MDs and DOs can end up in the same residencies and function in the exact same capacity. I would make the argument that it is the same as saying HMS grads are the same as the 'worst' US MD class. Yes, they CAN end up in the same residencies, but while there are always exceptions, on average, they don't.

From what I understand, the bottom line is that they pretty much end up doing the samethings...but what do I know? I'm just a silly misinformed premed like most

 

[mimelim]

From what I understand, the bottom line is that they pretty much end up doing the samethings...but what do I know? I'm just a silly misinformed premed like most

I just meant that the word 'merging' wasn't the verb I would use to describe what is happening (different topic entirely). And you are correct, they end up doing the same thing. This will be even more obvious after there is only 1 match. Soooo...

 

[Geebeejay]

Nurses are ancillary staff. They take the orders from the doctor and carry them out. Likewise, they are on the front line and notify the doctor if something seems awry.

I hear you, and agree with your post 99%. Nurses are ancillary staff and they take orders from doctors. But there is more to nursing than simply carrying out orders - this is only a fraction of their job. If OP wants to have a career in nursing, he doesn't HAVE to become an NP or DNP. Most RNs I know are happy too.