Why doctors in the operating room think that nurses are inferior academically in comparison to them?

Doctors do, in fact, have a higher level of education that RNs. However, that doesn't mean RNs are to be looked down upon. They have to know the medications and interactions as well as the prescribing physician, because in the end, they are the ones administering the meds and would be held liable.
Throughout my pregnancy and for my delivery, I had a Certified Nurse Midwife. I saw three during my pregnancy, and they all could write prescriptions (they had an MBA). While they were not PhDs I found the level of care to be higher because nurses tend to be more in tune with the patient than a physician who has to see two dozen patients while the nurse may only be looking after six. I think RNs deserve just as much respect as Doctors do.

Not all do.

docs are only as good as the nurses that work with them and the smart ones appreciate them for it.

Vin

because generally, they are . Doctors have at least 8 years of university, then another 4 year of specializing, while nurses have only 4 years of university, and 6 months of specializing.

i know. just because they're doing the operations...they think they rule the hospital. i'd like to see only doctors take care of the patients, give them medicines every few minutes, and help them recover after the hard part's done. it's stupid. but hey..i'm not complaining xD

because they are doctors and they>>> are nurses.

well, last i checked, nurses don't actually have the academic background that doctors do, that's why they're nurses and doctors are doctors....not to say that doctors are better, but strictly academically speaking, doctors are smarter....

Because people like to compare to themselves to those who are less intelligent, less wealthy, or just deficient in some area to feel better about themselves.


Doctors, however, have every right to think they are better than nurses, because that's the truth.

probably for the same reason nurses treat nursing assistants like crap.

Because they went to school longer than nurses and they feel somehow superior in knowledge. But I'd prefer a nurse to a doctor any day when it comes to my day to day care. They actually want to get to know you and don't put you in more pain than is necessary.

Good one's don't - the operating room requires a team effort.

True, generally speaking doctors have more formal schooling, doesn't mean they are any smarter. Lots of smart people out there without formal educations, and lots of idiots with college degrees.

I'm fortunate that in my job, the surgeons see the nurses as part of the team, and appreciate what we do for them and our patients.

And as to the person who said something along the lines of doctors are smarter, well this RN (me) has a BS in journalism, a law degree (and over 12 years in practice) and now a BS in nursing. That's a lot of education, but it doesn't give me the right to lord it over anyone.

Because they are inferior academically. Doctors must get their Bachelors (4 Years), Medical school (3 years), Residency (2 years), Specializing (3+ Years). Nurses might have at most 5 years of academic schooling in the area in which they are working. 12 years vs. 5 years - I dunno, the math looks to me to be on the side of Doctors.

Remember, street smarts don't count when you're cutting someone open...

Plus, the onus and weight of liability is weighing on their shoulders - not the nurses.