>>6144505Inferior is a poor choice of words beyond the getting-less-pay and less-respect points. There are different types of nurses. The type of classical nurse you're thinking of IS bound to the orders of their registered physician. However, other types of medical practitioners that have the nurse title (ex: advanced practice nurse) have significant autonomy. As it has been described to me, they can see their own patients, order their own tests, diagnose w/in their field of knowledge, etc. Essentially, some nurses are doctors that get paid less because of the extra bits one gets from being a nurse.
I know someone who specifically became a nurse because they liked interacting w/ patients whereas doctors tend to have relatively less time for it. So like the other anon said, some people just want to be personally helpful on top of professionally helpful.
So I wouldn't say they are less important (unless you reduce the entire field down to a very specific type of nurse), nor would I say it takes less skill in the current dynamic.
Otherwise, some people could stomach less respect and pay for the socializing aspects.
