When choosing between nursing school vs. medical school, consider the scope of practice and typical responsibilities of nurses vs. doctors. Nurses tend to provide more hands-on patient care compared to doctors. Nurses also have many career advancement opportunities, strong earning potential, and a robust job growth rate.
If you’re exploring a career in healthcare, comparing nursing school vs. medical school can help you choose the right path. Understanding the key differences in training, time commitment, and job roles is essential before taking your next step.
If you decide that nursing school is right for you, Utica University is here to support you. Utica’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a faster pathway toward becoming a registered nurse (RN) by leveraging your prior non-nursing college education. Once enrolled, you could earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months at Utica in Albany or Syracuse, New York.
Before choosing between nursing school vs. medical school, take a closer look at the differences between a nurse and a doctor. You should also consider the different educational pathways and the unique benefits of becoming a nurse.
Understanding the Differences Between Nurse and Doctor
Nurses and physicians are equally vital to providing patients with quality care, but their roles within the healthcare system differ. Doctors, for instance, work within the disease model, emphasizing diagnosis and treatment. Registered nurses, however, work with the patient care model, providing holistic care, nursing diagnoses and treatments, and administering medications prescribed by physicians.
Nurses are also more likely to be the first care providers patients see and the ones they spend the most time with. This means nurses can better notice subtle changes in a patient’s condition. If the more individualized, hands-on, and patient-centric role of nursing appeals to you, nursing school might better align with your career goals.
Before deciding, compare the scope of practice and typical responsibilities of these providers.
A nurse’s scope of practice includes:
- Administering prescribed medications and other treatments
- Providing patient education
- Developing or contributing to patient care plans
- Determining nursing diagnoses
- Performing patient assessments
A doctor’s scope of practice includes:
- Creating treatment plans
- Educating patients
- Making diagnoses
- Performing physical exams
- Prescribing medications and administering treatments
Learn how to become a nurse in only six steps.
Do Nurses Go to Med School?
Another factor to consider when choosing between nursing school vs. medical school is the differences in education pathways. To become an RN, you attend nursing school, while aspiring physicians attend medical school.
Medical school typically takes four years to complete. Following med school, future doctors undergo residency training, and some then complete fellowships and obtain board certification in a specialty area.
The path to nursing can be much more direct. Your first bachelor’s degree qualifies you for Utica University’s ABSN program in New York. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can take the NCLEX-RN to earn your RN license.
Baccalaureate-prepared RNs are all highly trained healthcare providers. Some may decide to pursue additional education and career advancement, such as earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
After earning a graduate degree, a nurse may pursue board certification in a specialty area to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Some APRNs, including nurse practitioners, have prescribing authority and can practice with considerable autonomy, much like physicians.
Deciding Between Medicine and Nursing
Learning about the differences between a nurse and a doctor may help you choose your career path, including the pros and cons of each career.
Pros of Being a Nurse
- High earning potential
- Strong job growth rate
- Plenty of nursing specialties to choose from
- Lifelong learning opportunities
- Advancement opportunities
Cons of Being a Nurse
- Long shifts
- Risk of job stress and emotional burnout
- Must sometimes deal with difficult patients and families
Pros of Being a Physician
- High earning potential
- Many specializations available
- Lifelong learning opportunities
Cons of Being a Physician
- Slow job growth rate
- Astronomical educational costs
- Lengthy educational pathway
- Demanding work hours
- Risk of medical malpractice lawsuits
Why Choose Nursing School?
There are many compelling reasons to choose nursing school over medical school, like the robust job growth rate and opportunities for career advancement.
Rates of Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for nurses from 2023 to 2033 will be 6%, faster than average, representing about 197,200 new jobs in the field. The job growth rate for the same period is 4% for physicians and surgeons, as fast as the average, equaling about 34,500 new jobs.
The Range of Career Opportunities
A B.S. in Nursing opens the door to an array of career opportunities. Nurses can practice in various areas, including adult health, pediatrics, mental health, community health, and beyond. Our ABSN program includes clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities in New York, allowing students to gain experience working across several care areas.
Furthermore, nurses can establish careers in diverse settings beyond hospitals, including schools, urgent care clinics, corporate clinics, military facilities, outpatient surgical facilities, and more.
Check out these top seven ways to increase your chances of getting into nursing school.
Career Advancement Opportunities
There are several career advancement opportunities available to doctors. For example, a physician could decide to go into management, consulting, or open their own clinic. They might also acquire additional credentials, such as board certification.
There is a wealth of advancement opportunities available to nurses. For instance, a nurse might start as a licensed practical nurse, then earn a B.S. in Nursing degree and become an RN. After earning a graduate degree and board certification, an RN can become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), choosing from roles such as:
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
An RN might also become a manager, administrator, nurse informaticist, nurse researcher, or nurse educator. There are many possibilities out there for motivated nursing professionals.
Trustworthiness of Nurses
When comparing nursing vs. medicine, you might lean toward nursing simply because it’s a profession you can feel proud of. In Gallup’s 2025 Honesty and Ethics Poll, nursing was ranked first for more than 20 consecutive years. That means Americans view nurses as more trustworthy than any other polled profession, including doctors.
Nurses Get to Work More Closely with Patients
Another reason you might choose nursing school vs. medical school is if you desire to work closely with your patients. Yes, doctors examine, treat, and sometimes surgically operate on patients, but nurses tend to spend more time caring for them. This is especially true in certain nursing specialties, like home health and hospice care.
Nurses practice a patient-centric, holistic model of care. They are often patients’ first point of contact and the last person they see before discharge. Nurses provide patient education and emotional support, as well as hands-on care. If you enjoy getting to know your patients on a personal yet professional level, then nursing could be the right choice for you.
Begin Your Journey Toward Nursing at Utica University
While sometimes challenging, nursing school offers a path toward helping others through compassionate care and a sympathetic ear. Utica University is a private, nonprofit school that strives to graduate highly ethical and compassionate nurses dedicated to professional service to their communities. If you see yourself providing hands-on care to people who need your help, then Utica University’s accelerated nursing program could be a good fit for you.
Our ABSN program enables you to graduate in as few as 16 months if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 credits from an accredited school. Upon enrollment, you can receive personalized support from an Academic Success Coach as you work toward degree completion.
Contact us today to speak with an admission representative and take the next step toward an exciting career in nursing.
