Introduction
Nowadays, the healthcare field is extended and involves numerous medical professionals that are required to perform specific duties. Among such healthcare professionals are registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. While the first group gathers valuable medical data, conducts tests, treats sicknesses, and cares for the needs of patients, the second group makes a diagnosis and sets the most suitable kind of treatment. However, despite minuscule differences between the professions, both groups of professionals share certain requirements and regulations. In this sense, registered nurses and physicians have similar codes of conduct, license, and academic and training requirements.
Physicians vs. Registered Nurses
First, it is vital to mention that registered nurses perform duties that were formerly undertaken by doctors, while certain medical jobs have been delegated to support personnel. In the coming years, responsibilities are projected to continue going to registered nurses, especially in light of rising healthcare expenses and the rise of pandemics and healthcare issues (Feringa et al., 2018). In order to become a registered nurse, one must obtain a license, which is required by the authorities. Applicants go through the examination after completing their RN academic requirements for the first time, which is known as license by examination (Nursing Licensure, n.d.). After obtaining a license, registered nurses do not have to undergo this process again each year.
Nevertheless, after receiving licensure, nurses are advised to continue their studies. In order to keep their license, they must complete a certain quantity of continuing education units (CEUs) yearly (Price & Reichert, 2017). Experienced nurses also emphasized the relevance of continuous learning in the perspective of retaining expertise, delivering high-quality patient care, and strengthening future employment possibilities. Registered nurses’ occupational satisfaction was closely connected to their training and education (Price & Reichert, 2017). Medical professionals recognized positive work environments like those that engaged in continuing professional development programs to guarantee that they could keep improving their skills in the field and deliver the best possible patient safety.
Many nurses, however, take further studies to perfect their abilities and provide treatment of the highest quality. Many states mandate nursing staff to pursue ongoing education and training in order to keep their licenses and enhance their abilities regularly (Price & Reichert, 2017). Continuing education units help to improve the overall quality of care while also limiting the likelihood of litigation for healthcare professionals and institutions.
Furthermore, registered nurses must comply with the code of conduct, aside from continuous studying. The nursing code of conduct is a set of guidelines for performing nursing duties in a way compatible with the highest standards of nursing care and the practice’s ethical requirements (Price & Reichert, 2017). Professional ethics are vital for all healthcare professionals, but nursing ethics are especially crucial because of their position as caregivers.
When it comes to physicians, the requirements are similar yet have specific differences from the regulations for registered nurses. For example, physicians are also obligated to receive medical licensing to practice medicine in the U.S., regardless of the state (Graban & Toussaint, 2018). Unlike registered nurses, these medical professionals can also receive a board certification in case of necessity. In this situation, special assessments are completed by board-certified physicians in addition to the state’s minimal license requirements.
Yet the requirements for continued education vary depending on the state, and in contrast to registered nurses, physicians must renew licensure and training regularly. For example, in California, all family physicians with a client base of more than 25 percent of 65-year-olds and older must complete at least 20 hours of compulsory education and training in geriatric medicine (Graban & Toussaint, 2018). With the exception of pathologists and radiologists, all physicians must undergo mandated additional training in pain control and the care of terminally ill patients (Graban & Toussaint, 2018). In contrast, in New Jersey, the Board mandates recently licensed physicians to complete a training course with no CME for this.
Lastly, similar to registered nurses, physicians must follow a code of conduct that transcends ethical norms and implies legal aspects. For instance, a physician’s primary obligation as a practitioner of this field is to patients, but they also have responsibilities to society, other healthcare providers, and themselves (Graban & Toussaint, 2018). They must comply with the law and avoid actions that could lead to liabilities. Moreover, the professional of this specialty must continue to study, implement expertise, dedicate to medical training, make valuable information understandable to patients, and, where appropriate, employ the abilities of other healthcare workers.
As seen above, regulations and requirements of the healthcare field and professionals are vital and drive the safety and quality of patient care. Both physicians and registered nurses are either required or advised to undergo further training and license renewal. In case when these medical professionals are not monitored and their actions are free of code of conduct, the consequences might be detrimental to a healthcare facility, professionals, and the community. Lack of control and regulations will decrease the expertise of medical professionals, which in turn will lead to poor patient care and health risks. Additionally, due to these factors, there will be a growing lack of trust in the community and a bad reputation.
Conclusion
Hence, though physicians and registered nurses have different responsibilities, with the former being in charge of making diagnoses and proper treatment and the latter providing patient care, there are similarities between the two groups. For example, both types of medical professionals are required to have licensure. Furthermore, physicians must undergo constant training, and nurses are advised to have continuous education. Lastly, both have to comply with the code of conduct, without which there might be higher health risks for patients and a decrease in quality care.
References
Graban, M., & Toussaint, J. (2018). Lean hospitals: Improving quality, patient safety, and employee engagement. Productivity Press.
Nursing Licensure. (2021). RN licensing.
Price, S., & Reichert, C. (2017). The importance of continuing professional development to career satisfaction and patient care: meeting the needs of novice to mid-to late-career nurses throughout their career span. Administrative Sciences, 7(2), 17.
Feringa, M. M., De Swardt, H. C., & Havenga, Y. (2018). Registered nurses’ knowledge, attitude, practice and regulation regarding their scope of practice: A literature review. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 8, 87-97.