The Roles of Doctors and Nurses in Hospital Settings

Overview

Both nurses and doctors work in a variety of specialities and departments in hospital settings, but their roles can be very different. Nurse practitioners and RN first assistants perform many of the tasks which used to be done solely by doctors, but there are many aspects of hospital patient care which exclusive to either one or the other.

Surgery

Doctors, specifically surgeons, are the only who can completely perform most surgical procedures. But RN first assistant nurses may suture, handle and cut tissue. (see references 1)

Diagnoses

In general, doctors provide the diagnoses in hospital settings, while nurses provide nursing diagnoses, judgements about adjustments to daily patient care. For example, a doctor may diagnose you with kidney failure, while a nurse may diagnose you with pressure sores and order that you be turned more frequently.

Patient Care

Doctors have almost nothing to do with day-to-day patient care. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and certified nursing assistants provide almost all daily care, from feeding to recording fluid intake and output to giving medications and injections.

Treatment

With the exception of surgery, doctors generally prescribe treatment in a hospital setting, while nurses perform the treatment. Doctors may order therapy, injections and changes of dressing, while it is the nurse's responsibility to carry them out.

Referrals

In hospital settings, doctors are the ones to refer patients for more testing. Nurses generally do not order tests in hospitals, although they may carry them out or ensure that they are carried out.