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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
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
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.
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.
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
- 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