Brad Said:

Which career has a higher salary, a "Registered Nurse"...?

We Answered:

In general a Physician Assistant would make more than a staff RN in a hospital setting. However, many RNs work in advanced practice, as nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists and then could and often do make more than a PA. Also some RNs who work in special situations or perform special functions will make more than the average PA.

Also, JNS is incorrect about the function of a registered nurse. They do not follow doctor's orders. That is the impression given by countless TV shows and soap operas.

Her concept demonstrates the ignorance of many in society, including some nurses as to the true purpose of an RN.

RNs provide a safe healing environment, and promote the level of a patient's health by optimizing the biological, psychological and social aspects of their situation. They work in a close relationship with physicians, but RNs perform a separate but complementary function. Physicians write prescriptions for the patient's health. As a part of managing the lifestyle issues the RN will manage the patients' care to include making sure the precriptions a physician has written are carried out if they are deemed safe, and in the best interest of the patient. Howver, since 1929 it has been the duty of all RNs in the US and it's territories to protect the patient from inappropriate orders written by a physician. Often in a list of physician's orders on a standard patient, there will be several which are transmitted by the unit clerk to the pharmacy, some which might go to the radiology department, some for the lab. RNs make assesments, interpret diagnostic reports and make nursing diagnoses, and prescribe care in a nursing care plan.

RNs howver are patient care managers and will make sure that the patient has taken care of by all these departments as a function of the case management.

LPNs and Nursing assistants often get into the issues of orders from physicians about how often they should take vital signs etc.

Lewis Said:

nurse career in nyc (please answer!!!)?

We Answered:

There is such a shortage of nurses in NYC...consider yourself like a professional athlete negotiating a contract definitely do not take the first offer, shop around and you'll be floored on how many different offers with/without perks you can get. Start shopping and good luck

Lawrence Said:

which career have higher salary nurse or dermatologist ?

We Answered:

Dermatologist. You'd be a specialist MD.

Nurses (RNs) typically only have a 4 year degree. The US still allows 2 year diploma RNs. Your salary would be good as a nurse, but a typical RN would never make as much as a derm. Not even close. Most nurses don't make 6 figures, but you definitely would as a Dermatologist. But it is also true that your length of education is more than double or even triple what an RN (4 year degree) would have (4 years undergrad plus 4 years intensive med school plus 2 years general residency plus specialization, which can be 2-3 more years).

Regardless, ideally you don't chose your career based on length of schooling or salary. Especially in healthcare. You have to choose a field because it is your passion and melds with your interests, strengths, and skills. Nursing and medicine are very different, with different models of care.

Good luck!