Many patients still feel intimidated by doctors. Some doctors, though not all, can be rather condescending and the families feel more comfortable talking to a nurse. Nurses are actually more familiar with the patient because they spend much more time at the bedside tending to the patients' needs. Nurses watch over the daily activities of patients, such as making sure that a plan of care is carried out, walking, bathing, or just providing some comfort for the patient.
Nurses are also a source of information for the patient.
They may contact PT's, MD's, or other professionals to find the information that the patients need. Hospitals, community heatlh centers, doctor's offices, family planning centers, camps, schools as school nurses, professors in nursing programs. Nurses also work in patients' homes, and nursing homes. RN's may attend a two year associate's degree program or a four year B.S. program. Nurse practitioners have a Master's degree .