Nursing School vs. Medical School: Which Path Is Right for You?

If candidates compared nursing school vs. medical school based solely on the job growth rate, they’d likely choose nursing school. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the healthcare industry will add about 197,200 new nursing positions to the field from 2023 through 2033, compared to just 34,500 physician and surgeon positions during that same period.

If you choose nursing, you can build a strong foundation for your future at Madonna University. Madonna’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows you to leverage your prior non-nursing college education toward earning a quality, values-based nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Our curriculum, infused with Franciscan values, graduates compassionate, practice-ready future nurses.

There are other factors beyond job growth to consider when deciding whether to become a nurse vs. a doctor. Let’s compare the typical responsibilities of each healthcare provider, as well as potential career advancement opportunities and career requirements.

Nursing vs. Medical Model: Different Approaches to Patient Care

Doctors and nurses are both essential healthcare providers who fulfill critical roles. The nursing vs. medical model differs, however, in that these professionals approach patient care from different perspectives. In following the medical model of care, doctors focus on diagnosing symptoms and treating conditions or injuries. In short, it’s a cause-and-effect approach that focuses on the biological process in which the absence of disease or injury is the definition of health.

In contrast, the nursing model takes a holistic approach to patient care. The holistic model considers symptoms and their treatment as well as all aspects of a patient’s wellness, including emotional, social, cognitive, and lifestyle factors. The holistic model also considers the patient’s support system and access to resources. Additionally, nurses focus on patient education and preventive wellness.

Another core difference between nurses vs. doctors is how much time they spend with each patient. Nurses tend to spend far more time with their patients than doctors do. Often, a nurse is the patient’s first point of contact, the provider of patient education, and the person who handles follow-up and care coordination. Since nurses spend more time with patients than doctors, they often develop strong working relationships with them.

Typical Responsibilities of a Nurse

Before deciding whether to attend nursing school vs. medical school, you should look at each provider’s typical responsibilities. A nurse’s duties can vary based on specialty but generally include the following:

• Assess patients and record their symptoms and medical histories.
• Administer medications and other treatments.
• Develop care plans.
• Operate medical equipment.
• Provide patient and family caregiver education.
• Assist with diagnostic tests and the interpretation of results.
• Document patient information and treatment.

Typical Responsibilities for a Doctor

A doctor’s typical responsibilities can also vary based on specialty. In general, they do the following:

• Perform physical exams.
• Review medical histories, symptoms, and observations.
• Order tests and provide referrals to specialists.
• Develop treatment plans and prescribe medications.
• Answer patients’ questions.

Nurse vs. Doctor: Comparing Career Paths

Although both RNs and doctors work in healthcare and are highly trained providers, their career paths and requirements differ considerably. If you become a nurse instead of a doctor, you can start your career much sooner.

Requirements to Become a Nurse

Do nurses go to medical school? Generally, “medical” refers to practices and roles that fall under the medical model, which nurses do not follow. So, no, nurses do not go to medical school. The only reason a practicing nurse might go to medical school is to transition from an RN career to a physician career. Those who want to become nurses will need to go to nursing school.

You must enroll in a four-year baccalaureate nursing program if you lack a college education. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, however, you may be eligible to apply to Madonna’s ABSN program. Our ABSN program allows you to graduate in as few as 16 months across four consecutive semesters after completing any needed prerequisites. You’ll learn everything you need to be a competent nurse through online coursework and in-person, hands-on labs and clinicals.

After graduating from nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX, a national nursing licensure exam. Then, you can obtain your state-issued nursing license and begin working as a registered nurse.

Career Advancement Opportunities in Nursing

There are robust opportunities to pursue career advancement in nursing. If you choose nursing school vs. medical school, you can obtain your license and gain several years of clinical experience before returning for your graduate degree. You can take a board certification exam with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which designates you as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) upon passing.

There are four main types of APRNs:

• Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
• Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Certified nurse midwife (CNM)

APRNs serve as nurse leaders, mentors, and researchers. They provide direct patient care while also advancing the nursing practice as a whole. If you’d rather step away from the bedside, there are opportunities in nursing management, administration, education, research, and consulting.

Requirements to Be a Doctor

The requirements to become a doctor start with a baccalaureate degree. Although there are no specific degree requirements for medical school, aspiring doctors typically enroll in a pre-med program, such as a biology degree with a pre-med emphasis.

After earning a bachelor’s degree, future doctors must complete four years of medical school, which, like nursing school, combines didactic and hands-on learning. Medical school is followed by residency training, lasting three to nine years. Doctors who choose to subspecialize complete a fellowship lasting one to three years. Finally, doctors must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Career Advancement Opportunities as a Doctor

Doctors may choose to pursue fellowship training and board certification in a subspecialty, such as hand surgery. Beyond specialization, opportunities for advancement could include opening one’s own clinic or pursuing a leadership position within a hospital, such as chief of a hospital unit. Medical consulting, helping healthcare organizations and providers improve their business and treatment strategies, is also an option.

Why Become a Nurse?

The nursing profession focuses on making a positive difference for patients navigating tough times. Many people decide to become RNs because they find personal fulfillment in doing work that makes a difference, but there are plenty of other reasons.

When weighing the roles of a nurse vs. a doctor, consider the following benefits of nursing:

• A highly robust job growth rate
• Plenty of opportunities for career growth
• Strong earning potential
• Opportunities to build close working relationships with patients and their families
• Plenty of nursing specialties to choose from
• Option to work as a travel nurse

Earn Your Nursing Degree Sooner at Madonna

At Madonna University, you can fast-track to a nursing career. You could be eligible for admission if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits. Here, you’ll benefit from a hybrid approach to learning and exceptional student support, including personalized admissions assistance, dedicated faculty members, small class sizes, and Academic Success Coaches available from enrollment to NCLEX testing.

Contact an admissions representative at Madonna today and take the first step toward your new career.