In 2010 Iceland had 4875 nurses and nurse midwives which is equivalent to about 15 nurses to every 1000 people. Iceland had 1146 physicians in 2010 which is equivalent to about 3.5 physicians per 1000 patients most of which work in the public health system. Where in the United States there were 2.5 physicians per 1000 patients many of which work in private practices (Resnikoff, 2012). Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are not widely used in Iceland. On the other hand the United States utilizes mid-level providers in almost every healthcare setting. Utilizing nurse practitioners and physician assistants gives an advantage to patients in the United States as it opens up more opportunities to seek care. Both the United States and Iceland offer BSN, MSN and doctorate degree in nursing. There are not any associate degrees for registered nurses in Iceland, and there is a downhill trend of this degree program in the United States. (Dezee 2012). There is only one medical school in Iceland which is located at the University of Iceland in the city of Reykjavik, with only forty physicians graduating in 2006 (Neuman 2006). Iceland has a direct entry medical program which allows those interested in a degree in medicine to enter after the first year of college. Then there are five years of medical study which equals a total of six years of basic medical training (Neuman, 2006). Iceland believes that actual experience should shape the student rather than the school or a mentor molding them. Iceland prefers a hands on approach to education and believe that more is learned when you are tested in the field. This experience gives the students an opportunity to learn on their own and find what works best for them. It helps to build confidence and gives a unique knowledge into all aspects of practice. Following graduation after the sixth year students are then have twelve months of clinical rotations. They are required to participate in four months of internal medicine, two months of surgery, and the remaining months is a study of the students choice. Upon successful completion the student is then licensed to practice from the ministry of health. If they choose to further their education doctors may choose specialty fields which last another four or more years. Specialized training is very limited in Iceland and many physicians that choose a specialty travel abroad to study. The United States places a stronger emphasis on the academic approach to learning. Doctors are
In 2010 Iceland had 4875 nurses and nurse midwives which is equivalent to about 15 nurses to every 1000 people. Iceland had 1146 physicians in 2010 which is equivalent to about 3.5 physicians per 1000 patients most of which work in the public health system. Where in the United States there were 2.5 physicians per 1000 patients many of which work in private practices (Resnikoff, 2012). Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are not widely used in Iceland. On the other hand the United States utilizes mid-level providers in almost every healthcare setting. Utilizing nurse practitioners and physician assistants gives an advantage to patients in the United States as it opens up more opportunities to seek care. Both the United States and Iceland offer BSN, MSN and doctorate degree in nursing. There are not any associate degrees for registered nurses in Iceland, and there is a downhill trend of this degree program in the United States. (Dezee 2012). There is only one medical school in Iceland which is located at the University of Iceland in the city of Reykjavik, with only forty physicians graduating in 2006 (Neuman 2006). Iceland has a direct entry medical program which allows those interested in a degree in medicine to enter after the first year of college. Then there are five years of medical study which equals a total of six years of basic medical training (Neuman, 2006). Iceland believes that actual experience should shape the student rather than the school or a mentor molding them. Iceland prefers a hands on approach to education and believe that more is learned when you are tested in the field. This experience gives the students an opportunity to learn on their own and find what works best for them. It helps to build confidence and gives a unique knowledge into all aspects of practice. Following graduation after the sixth year students are then have twelve months of clinical rotations. They are required to participate in four months of internal medicine, two months of surgery, and the remaining months is a study of the students choice. Upon successful completion the student is then licensed to practice from the ministry of health. If they choose to further their education doctors may choose specialty fields which last another four or more years. Specialized training is very limited in Iceland and many physicians that choose a specialty travel abroad to study. The United States places a stronger emphasis on the academic approach to learning. Doctors are