The Advantages of Becoming a Registered Nurse Over Becoming a Doctor

When you think of being sick, the first person you think of may be your doctor, but the first person you see will likely be a nurse. Nursing careers have many advantages over becoming a doctor, such as the additional one-on-one time with patients that allows you to form close bonds with both patient and family.

Nursing also offers more flexible hours, less floating work across the hospital, shorter schooling, and an incredibly high job demand. So what else should you know when understanding the advantages of an RN degree?

Schooling for Registered Nurses

Nurses can choose between multiple paths, just as doctors can choose between specialties from surgery to pediatrics. RN degrees begin at the Associate's level, requiring 2 years of schooling. Students may also choose a Bachelor's degree in nursing, typically taking 4 years, or an advanced degree such as a Nurse Practitioner, which requires post graduate studies.

Technicians in the nursing field, such as phlebotomists or lab techs may also choose from accelerated programs that may be as short as 12-18 months.

In contrast, doctors must attend a minimum of 4 years for their bachelor's degree, plus 4 years of medical school. That education is followed by 3-7 years of residency training directly at a medical facility before they can obtain a license.

Cost of Nursing Programs

Exact tuition rates vary by program, but the math is simple. Nurses start earning in 1-4 years. Doctors don't draw a base salary for at least 7.

And that doesn't include tuition costs. School is expensive, and most doctors have significant student debt upon graduation, often upwards of $100,000. Most colleges offer financial aid to nursing students, whereas the full cost of a medical doctor's license may require outside private loans to complete.

Nurses are the Primary Contact for Patients

If you are a people person, nursing is an excellent career choice. Nurses act as the "eyes and ears" of the doctors. An RN may be responsible for monitoring vital signs or tracking any changes in a patient's condition.

Nurses also get to talk to people. Where doctors often enter, treat, and leave -- nurses get to spend time getting to know their patients, developing strong and trusted relationships. Nurses will be assigned more individual face-to-face time with patients, while doctors often rotate through a larger patient volume.

Learn more about the myriad of offerings in nursing careers. Find out more information about the nursing career that's right for you with online career information at Athena Careers.