What is the Difference Between a Doctor and a Nurse?

There are many roles within healthcare, yet the two most known roles are that of a doctor and a nurse. 

Both of these professionals wear scrubs, carry a stethoscope, and perform many of the same tasks. However, there are a few key differences between them, which will be addressed in this blog. 

Understanding the different responsibilities before choosing a career path in any of these roles is important.

Roles and Responsibilities

There are various responsibilities assigned to doctors and nurses in the healthcare industry. These include:

Doctor

  • Diagnosis: Identifying a patient’s condition through examination and assessment of symptoms.
  • Prescribing: Determine and prescribe medications or other forms of treatment.
  • Patient Management: Oversee the patient's overall care.
  • Specialisation: Focus on a specific field of medicine (e.g., cardiology, neurology) after completing specialist training.
  • Surgery: Perform surgical procedures (if specialised).
  • Collaboration: Work with healthcare professionals across disciplines to coordinate care.
  • Record Keeping: Maintain comprehensive and confidential patient records.
  • Education: Instruct and supervise medical students, junior doctors, and other healthcare staff.
  • Continuous Learning: Stay updated with medical research and advancements.

Nurse

  • Patient Monitoring: Observe and record patients' conditions and report to doctors.
  • Medication Administration: Administer medications and treatments as prescribed.
  • Emotional Support: Provide psychological support to patients and their families.
  • Daily Care: Assist patients with daily activities such as washing, dressing, and eating.
  • Health Promotion: Engage in activities which promote health and prevent illness.
  • Patient Education: Teach patients about managing their health and wellness.
  • Advanced Practice: Diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and refer to specialists.
  • Coordination of Care: Manage case coordination and liaise with other healthcare professionals.
  • Professional Development: Ongoing education and skills development.

Educational Requirements

To become a doctor, you must gain a bachelor's degree in pre-medical studies, biology, chemistry, or another science. 

Aspiring doctors must pass the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) or the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) to enter medical school, which typically lasts four to six years. For a professional role, students must receive 2 years of training in medical facilities, then enter a residency programme to specialise in a certain field. 

To qualify as a nurse, you must complete a nursing degree programme approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This typically requires 3 years of education in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

Clinical placements are compulsory for nursing education, as this provides first-hand experience in various healthcare settings. After completing a degree, nurses must register with the NMC to qualify. 

Specialisations and Career Paths

There are various specialisations and roles that are available for qualified doctors and nurses. Some of these include: 

Specialist roles

Doctor

  1. General Practice: Primary care physicians who manage various health conditions and refer patients to specialists.
  2. Surgical Specialties: Operations related to specific parts of the body, such as orthopaedic, cardiovascular, or neurosurgery.
  3. Medical Specialties: Cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology, focusing on non-surgical treatment of specific organs or systems.

Nurse

  1. Registered Nurse (RN): Provides direct patient care and can work in various settings, from hospitals to community clinics.
  2. Specialist Nurse: With additional training, nurses can specialise in diabetes, asthma, or wound care.
  3. Nurse Practitioner (NP): Can diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, and refer patients to specialists.

Career paths

Doctor

  • Paediatrics: Medical care for infants, children, and adolescents.
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Focused on women’s health, pregnancy, and childbirth.
  • Psychiatry: Involves the treatment of mental health disorders.

Nurse

  • Midwifery: Specialized in care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period.
  • Mental Health Nursing: The care of patients with mental health issues.
  • Paediatric Nursing: The care of children from infancy to adolescence.

Work Environments and Schedules

Nurses tend to treat more patients daily than doctors. Hospital nurses often cover shifts of all hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to provide continuous patient care. 

However, Nurses in GP surgeries typically have more regular weekday hours with occasional weekend clinics. Those in community health roles care for patients at home, in schools, or in community centres with varying schedules. 

In contrast, doctors serve in emergency, surgery, or specialised units, working around the clock, including nights and weekends. GPs work in community-based clinics with more regular hours, providing primary care and referring patients to hospitals or specialists.