Is nursing school harder than med school? Nursing school can actually be easier than medical school because there is less information to memorize. There are many differences between nursing school vs. medical school. Consider becoming a nurse instead of a doctor if you value holistic, patient-centric care and advancement opportunities.
There’s no right path suited to everyone when it comes to finding your calling. In the nursing field, for example, some registered nurses (RNs) come to the profession from a four-year baccalaureate program, while others find their way after investing years in another career. Others might turn to nursing after exploring or considering other educational tracks, including medical school.
Is nursing school harder than med school? How long does nursing school take compared to medical school? When it comes to a choice between nursing school vs. medical school, which is right for you? Let’s explore these questions to help you decide. If you choose to become a nurse, Utica University’s Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (ABSN) program is here to help you get started.
Nursing vs. Medicine: Role Differences
Nurses and physicians are vital to providing patients with quality care, but their roles within the health system differ. Doctors, for instance, are focused on patient care from the point of view of the disease model, emphasizing diagnosis and treatment. Registered nurses, however, are more oriented toward a holistic model with patients. Nurses apply their technical skills to developing one-on-one patient relationships while administering and coordinating care, often emphasizing patient education.
Nurses are also more likely to be the first care providers patients see, able to notice subtle changes in a patient’s condition and communicate with the rest of the care team to adjust or more closely monitor care. If the more individualized, hands-on and patient-centric role of nursing appeals to you, nursing school might be better aligned with your career goals.
Learn how to become a nurse in only six steps.
Why Choose Nursing School?
There are many differences between nursing school vs. medical school. Is nursing school harder than med school? Both academic paths require students to work through a large volume of information, and both require hands-on learning activities. However, medical school is often considered more challenging because the volume of information students need to study is much larger than the nursing school curriculum.
If you’re looking for a way to make a positive difference but aren’t interested in the significant commitment that medical school requires, then nursing school could be the right choice.
Educational Timelines Before Entering the Job Market
Becoming a physician is a worthy pursuit, but it’s a long one. Medical school typically takes four years to complete; add three to eight years for your internship and residency and the four years (or more) it took to earn your bachelor’s degree, and you could be looking at as many as 16 years of education and training.
The path to nursing, however, can be much more direct. Your first bachelor’s degree qualifies you for Utica University’s Accelerated B.S. in Nursing Program in New York, which has three start dates per year and can be completed in as few as 16 months. After you graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) to earn your RN license. This means you can potentially meet the qualifications for any entry-level nursing position in less than two years.
Rates of Job Growth
Doctor and RN jobs are expected to grow between 2022 and 2032, but the growth rate for job prospects in nursing outpaces that of physicians and surgeons significantly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for nurses from 2022 to 2032 will be 6%, faster than average, representing 177,400 new jobs in the field. The job growth rate for the same period is 3% for physicians and surgeons, as fast as average, equaling about 24,600 new jobs.
The Range of Career Opportunities
When you think of your prospective career after nursing school, the first place you think of is probably the hospital. However, a B.S. in Nursing opens the door to an array of career opportunities in a variety of different settings. Nurses can practice across various care areas, including adult health, pediatrics, mental health, community health and beyond. The Utica University ABSN program includes clinical rotations at top local healthcare facilities, 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. When comparing nursing vs. medicine, it’s clear that nursing school can lead to a broad range of career options.
Check out these top seven ways to increase your chances of getting into nursing school.
Career Advancement Opportunities
There are a few career advancement opportunities available to doctors. For example, a physician could decide to go into management or consulting or open their own clinic. Or, they might acquire additional credentials, such as board certification.
Comparatively, there is a wealth of choices 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), earning roles such as:
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
An RN might also become a manager, administrator, nurse informaticist or nurse educator. There are so many possibilities out there for motivated RNs.
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 2023 Honesty and Ethics Poll, nursing was ranked at the top for the 22nd consecutive year. 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 with them. This is especially true in certain nursing specialties, like home health nursing 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 can allow 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 a meaningful career in nursing.
