Nurses and doctors work together to provide health care for patients. These professionals are educated in particular branches of the medical field. Specializing allows these individuals to become proficient in a particular medical area. Knowing that there are specializations within the professions of the doctor and nurse opens many career opportunities to an individual.
Medical Doctor
A medical doctor (MD) is a health care professional who focuses her career on the health and maintenance of the human body. Doctors, also known as physicians diagnose and treat injuries and diseases that affect humans. They prescribe medicines and treatments with the aim of bodily healing. These men and women have a strong knowledge of how the body and have a strong background in science. Doctors can choose to specialize in a variety of subfields within the medical community. Doctors got to college for four years followed by four years of medical school. After the four years of medical school a doctor can choose to specialize in a field such as surgery which usually lasts from three to five years depending on the medical specialty chosen. (Reference 1) A doctor must be board certified in order to practice medicine. Earnings start at $137,000 a year.
Doctor of Osteopathy
Doctors of Osteopathy (DO) are fully licensed doctors and surgeons who focus on whole body fitness in the curing to illness. The practice of osteopathy began in 1874 with Dr. Andrew Still. (Reference 2) Doctors of Osteopathy are fully qualified and work alongside medical doctors in hospitals, clinics, and offices. After four years of college, these doctors attend four years of osteopathic medical school and participate in residencies. Earnings for this profession start at $137,000. (Resource 6)
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (LPN's) are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVN's). These nurses care for patients under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. LPN"s often take temperatures, dress wounds and give injections. These nurses gather samples for testing and record what the patient eats and drinks. LPN's with experience may supervise nurse aides and assistants. (Reference 3)These nurses sometimes help doctors and registered nurses with tests and other medical procedures. Most LPN courses last approximately a year. LPN's make between $32,710- $42,110 year. (Reference 3)
Registered Nurse
With 2.5 million jobs, registered nurses (RN) hold the most jobs in the medical field. (Resource 1)Registered nurses treat and educate patients about medical conditions. RN's help performs tests, analyze results of tests, and dispense drugs and other treatments for patients. RN's work with families and patients so that proper care is provided after the patient leaves the healthcare facility. Creating a care plan for patients is a part of an RN's job. These healthcare professional have the option of specializing in more than one area of the nursing field. A person becomes a RN by receiving a bachelors or associates degree in nursing or a diploma from a nursing school. Nurses earn $52,490-$64,260 a year. (Resource 1)
Nurse Practitioner
A RN who completes at least a master's degree and is trained in diagnosis and care of medical conditions is a nurse practitioner (NP). A NP is able to provide some of the same care that a doctor does. This healthcare practitioner works with doctors , when necessary, to ensure the health of a patient. A NP can be a patient's main health care provider. NP's encourage their patients to use preventative measure in their lives as they educate their patients in healthier living. (Resource 2). NP's provide patient care in hospitals, clinics, private hospitals, and home health offices.
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