Are there benefits in becoming a nurse before a doctor?

These are 2 very different professions. Nurses generally have a far more hands on role, and are essential as the voice of the patient. Doctors often have very limited time with patients, nurses spend more time, and generally gain a better understanding of patients needs, limits and abilities. the reason for the term multidisciplinary team is to highlight the need for cooperation and coordination between the professions in order to deliver Excellent patient care.

training for either profession takes a number of years, why waste time doing one if you want to be the other. it would be like training as a soldier in order to join the airforce.

( a nurse married to a doctor- both of whom have no wish to do the others job!)

The above nurse is correct. I started with pre-med and a Biology degree with the intention of becoming a doctor but decided I wanted more patient interaction so became a nurse instead. Very glad I did. I have, however, had the pleasure of working with two doctors who started out as nurses. They are far more attentive to the needs of the patients and spend more time exploring factors that could alter the patient's outcomes than most doctors do. That is not to say that regular doctors are bad, but just that I think the slightly different outlook that the former nurses have is beneficial to their patients.