Skills are very different

doi:10.1136/bmj.a1974

Published 6 October 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a1974
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a1974

Letters

Doctors and nurses

Skills are very different

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

There is a big difference between the knowledge, skills, andabilities of doctors and nurses.¹

I trained as a state registered nurse/registered sick children’snurse (SRN/RSCN) for four years and worked as staff nurse, researchnurse, and ward sister for the following seven years. This gaveme considerable clinical experience and knowledge of nursingand some medical knowledge. I then went to medical school andfound I knew about 10% of the course already. The only exemptionI was given was not to attend the one week’s nursing experience.My clinical interest enhanced my training and I got distinctionsin physiology and pharmacology. However anatomy, pathology,and diagnostics were completely new.

As a GP I still believe that the knowledge and diagnostic skillsI have now are not possessed by nurses. I do not always agreewith diagnoses made in the walk-in centre, where district nursesmay dress a wound . . . [Full text of this article]

Elaine R Carter, general practitioner principal

¹ Bridge Road Medical Centre, Liverpool L21 6PH

elaine.carter2@virgin.net