Doctor? Nurse? Or something else?
Explore what fits you best.
Health professions—including doctors of medicine (also known as MDs or physicians) and nurses (also known as LPNs, RNs, or APRNs)—are in high demand across Kansas.
- All require rigorous healthcare education and training.
- All see and treat patients (but they go about it differently with unique and essential responsibilities).
- All practice under a scope of practice (the things they are legally permitted to do based on their license, education and training).
- For example,
- Doctors primarily diagnose, treat, and perform procedures on patients. Their autonomous scope practice uses a “disease model” where MDs investigate specific patient problems. Doctors often do not spend a lot of time with patients, and their training focuses on treating conditions.
- Nurses primarily provide continuous, holistic patient care, monitor conditions and administer treatments. Their autonomous scope of practice uses a “patient care model” where nurses deploy clinical judgement and care for the whole person, monitoring, educating, and advocating. Nurses tend to work extensively with patients, and their training focuses on treating the entire person.
Together, healthcare professionals are vital to the health and wellbeing of people and our communities. They work closely together, along with support staff, as part of a healthcare team.
Every healthcare professional will benefit by having solid skills in:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Empathy
- Leadership
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- And a solid foundation in math and science
Regardless of which healthcare profession you choose, you can get a high-quality education right here in Kansas that will set you up for success.
Explore every healthcare career option that interests you... Kansas communities are counting on you!
