If you’re deciding whether to be a nurse or a doctor, consider the differences between nursing school vs. medical school. A traditional nursing program lasts four years, but it’s possible to graduate in 12 months with an accelerated program. Medical school typically lasts four years after an undergrad program.
Nurses and doctors both have a passion for improving the lives of their patients and making a difference in the world, so it can be challenging to decide which is the better career path for you. If you’re having trouble choosing between nursing school vs. medical school, you should take a closer look at both options and reflect on your career goals.
For those called to nursing, the University of St. Thomas Houston’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can help you achieve your goals. Here, you can leverage your prior non-nursing education toward earning a nursing degree in as few as 12 months upon completion of prerequisites.
As you consider your ideal career path, you should learn about the differences between medical school vs. nursing school. It’s also good to look at the answers to common questions, such as: Do nurses go to med school? What are the differences between the role of a nurse compared to a doctor?
Learn some common medical terminology that nurses use.
What Are the Key Differences Between Nursing School and Medical School?
All healthcare careers have a similar focus but vary widely in scope of practice and typical responsibilities. Nursing school teaches future registered nurses (RNs) from the perspective of providing holistic patient care. In contrast, medical school teaches future medical doctors (MDs) about medical science in a way that focuses on treatment and diagnoses.
One way to decide between medical school vs. nursing school is to consider your career goals. Would you prefer to become an RN focusing on holistic patient care and well-being, or would you rather become an MD focusing on ordering diagnostic tests and recommending treatments?
Do Nurses Go to Med School?
Aspiring nurses do not go to med school to earn their degrees. Nursing school teaches different competencies and approaches than medical school. The only way to become a nurse is to complete an accredited nursing education program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and obtain the required license.
Nurse vs. Doctor: What’s the Role of Each in Healthcare?
Both nurses and doctors fulfill essential roles in healthcare. Doctors are responsible for evaluating patients, performing exams, diagnosing illnesses and injuries, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and performing medical procedures. A doctor’s daily responsibilities vary depending on their medical specialty, and the same goes for nurses.
As part of their daily responsibilities, nurses assess patients, evaluate symptoms, monitor vital signs, and develop and implement patient care plans. Some nurses with advanced degrees can also prescribe medications. Nurses may assist with medical procedures, order diagnostic tests, and deliver patient education. They are indispensable as patient advocates and liaisons between patients and doctors.
Nursing School vs. Medical School: How Do the Programs Compare?
As you consider your choice between becoming a nurse vs. doctor, you should look at the program differences side-by-side. Consider the following:
Duration
Traditional BSN programs take four years of full-time study to complete. You could graduate in as few as 12 months, however, if you are eligible for an ABSN program like the one at UST. In contrast, medical school requires four years of full-time study after you earn a four-year undergraduate degree. Future doctors must then complete three to seven years of residency, and a fellowship training program may follow.
In short, becoming a nurse could be ideal if you’d like to enter the healthcare field quickly. Despite the shorter nature of the ABSN program, it teaches all the nursing concepts and skills that a four-year BSN program teaches. There is no difference in career preparedness between nurses who graduated from an ABSN program vs. a traditional BSN degree. All BSN-prepared nurses are highly trained healthcare clinicians prepared to uphold high standards of patient care.
Curriculum
Nursing school and medical school follow different curricula. Both schools prepare clinicians to care for patients through in-depth study of the human body and other subjects. Nursing schools focus on the nursing model, a holistic framework that emphasizes patient care and well-being and the implementation of care plans. In contrast, medical schools focus on the disease model, meaning that medical students study how the body works and how it is affected by illness or injury. Doctors focus on diagnosing conditions and ordering treatments.
In short, both nurses and doctors treat patients; however, while doctors order treatments after making a diagnosis, nurses then implement many of those treatments, such as casting, wound care, and medication administration. In effect, nurses have a more hands-on role in patient care.
Licensure Exam
Future nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain a nursing license. The NCLEX covers topics in diverse nursing areas, such as ethical practice, hazardous materials, newborn care, the aging process, and more. It also tests critical thinking skills and the ability to apply the nursing process. This means that any given question may have multiple correct answers, but only one is most correct or appropriate, given the case study.
The NCLEX is a computerized adaptive test, meaning each question builds on the previous one. If you answer a question correctly, the next question will be a little more challenging, and vice versa.
Future doctors must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which is taken in three steps at different phases of their medical education. Compared to the NCLEX, the USMLE delves more deeply into medical science from the disease process perspective. Candidates can expect to answer questions on the cardiovascular system, biostatistics, human development, and immune function.
Available Specialties
Both doctors and nurses can choose from various specialties, ranging from women’s health to pediatrics, oncology, and beyond. Some specialties are nursing-specific, such as disaster nursing or home health nursing; similarly, doctors may also enter more defined specialties, including orthopedic surgery or family medicine.
Is Medical School Harder Than Nursing School?
While nursing school isn’t easy, medical school is generally considered to be more difficult. Compared to nursing school, medical school requires students to retain a larger volume of information, work through a more rigorous curriculum, and undergo challenging hands-on learning components.
Make no mistake, nursing school is also rigorous, as nurses must be highly trained clinicians who can respond to a wide range of patient care situations. Like medical school, nursing school offers a blend of didactic learning and hands-on clinical experiences.
Should I Go to Medical School or Nursing School?
If you’re still unsure whether you should go to nursing school vs. medical school, you might want to contact the admissions advisors of the programs you’re considering. The admissions advisors at UST are always happy to answer the questions of potential students. Before you pick up the phone, though, there are a few more factors to examine.
Work More Closely with Patients
If you enjoy working with people, nursing could be a better fit. Nurses work collaboratively with their fellow nurses and other healthcare providers. They also have opportunities to develop strong relationships with their patients, as nurses spend more time with patients than other providers.
Wider Range of Specialties and Career Growth Opportunities
While doctors also have access to different specializations, nurses can pursue specialties that take them virtually anywhere, from medical evacuation flights to schools to disaster response units.
Regarding career advancement, a doctor may start a private practice or go into research, consulting, or administration. They can also advance vertically in their position, reaching titles such as chief of surgery or department head. Nurses have access to varied career growth opportunities. They could step into leadership roles as charge nurses, nurse managers, or nurse administrators. Many nurses return to the classroom to become nurse educators or clinical instructors. A nurse may step away from the bedside to go into research or consulting or pursue a higher degree as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Could disaster nursing be right for you? Explore the role of an RN in emergency response.
Pursue Your Future at UST
The University of St. Thomas Houston invites future nurses to explore everything our ABSN program offers. Our faith-based curriculum prepares our students to lead with integrity, advocate for their patients, and tackle modern challenges in nursing. With the guidance of our dedicated faculty and the flexibility of interactive online coursework, you could graduate in as few as 12 months, ready to pass the NCLEX and start your career.
Contact our admissions advisors today to determine if our program is the right fit.