2 answers
annie
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
9
Questions
Asked
578 views
Was becoming a cardiovascular surgeon worth it? Was going through all the schooling and residency worth it? ?
I'm a high school sophomore doing career research and I'm thinking about becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. I've always been interested in healthcare and becoming a surgeon so I'd love some input.
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2 answers
Michael Cadra
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, physician and dentist
29
Answers
Nipomo, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Dear Annie,
If your current task is a scholarly pursuit and you're not receiving responses from actual doctors, I recommend steering clear of AI-generated responses. Instead, delve into relevant literature like "Complications" or "Better" by Atul Gwande, "Open Heart" or "Broken Lives" by Stephen Westaby, and "The Surgeons" by Charles Morris. As you venture into career exploration, consider "The Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gwande.
I'm curious about your early interest in cardiovascular surgery. Is it driven by prestige or potential income? While many cardiovascular surgeons earn impressive incomes, it comes with sacrifices. Do you have a family member or mentor in this field? With over 115 medical specialties to choose from, statistics from the American Association of Medical Colleges reveal that 75-80% of medical students switch their intended specialty before applying to the Match. Surgery isn't a fit for everyone - I've witnessed several medical students faint during their first surgical procedure. Even in medical school, there's limited time to explore all specialties after completing core rotations.
The American College of Surgeons acknowledges 14 surgical specialties, including cardiothoracic surgery, colon and rectal surgery, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, gynecologic oncology, neurological surgery, ophthalmic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, urology, and vascular surgery. Each specialty has further subdivisions with additional certification options. For instance, my specialty, oral and maxillofacial surgery, offers two additional qualifications in pediatric craniofacial surgery and oncologic surgery.
Getting into cardiovascular surgery is highly competitive, and excellent grades don't guarantee a spot. Therefore, it's wise to remain open-minded about other possibilities as you advance in your education. Instead of relying on simplistic or AI-generated responses on this platform, invest your time in reading books by physicians in your field of interest.
Best Regards,
Michael E. Cadra, MD, DMD, FACS
If your current task is a scholarly pursuit and you're not receiving responses from actual doctors, I recommend steering clear of AI-generated responses. Instead, delve into relevant literature like "Complications" or "Better" by Atul Gwande, "Open Heart" or "Broken Lives" by Stephen Westaby, and "The Surgeons" by Charles Morris. As you venture into career exploration, consider "The Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gwande.
I'm curious about your early interest in cardiovascular surgery. Is it driven by prestige or potential income? While many cardiovascular surgeons earn impressive incomes, it comes with sacrifices. Do you have a family member or mentor in this field? With over 115 medical specialties to choose from, statistics from the American Association of Medical Colleges reveal that 75-80% of medical students switch their intended specialty before applying to the Match. Surgery isn't a fit for everyone - I've witnessed several medical students faint during their first surgical procedure. Even in medical school, there's limited time to explore all specialties after completing core rotations.
The American College of Surgeons acknowledges 14 surgical specialties, including cardiothoracic surgery, colon and rectal surgery, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, gynecologic oncology, neurological surgery, ophthalmic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, urology, and vascular surgery. Each specialty has further subdivisions with additional certification options. For instance, my specialty, oral and maxillofacial surgery, offers two additional qualifications in pediatric craniofacial surgery and oncologic surgery.
Getting into cardiovascular surgery is highly competitive, and excellent grades don't guarantee a spot. Therefore, it's wise to remain open-minded about other possibilities as you advance in your education. Instead of relying on simplistic or AI-generated responses on this platform, invest your time in reading books by physicians in your field of interest.
Best Regards,
Michael E. Cadra, MD, DMD, FACS
Your advice was so helpful!
annie
Iryna Tam
Writer, copywriter
188
Answers
Hagerstown, Maryland
Updated
Iryna’s Answer
Hi Annie!
Becoming a cardiovascular surgeon is often considered highly rewarding, but it comes with a significant commitment in terms of education and training. Here’s a breakdown of the worthiness of this career choice:
Reasons It’s Worth It
Impact on Patients’ Lives:
Cardiovascular surgeons play a crucial role in saving and improving lives. They perform intricate surgeries that can relieve patients from life-threatening conditions.
Job Satisfaction:
Many surgeons report high levels of job satisfaction from the ability to make a tangible difference in patients' health and the opportunity to work in a critical area of healthcare.
Prestige and Respect:
The role of a cardiovascular surgeon is often held in high esteem, which can be rewarding personally and professionally.
Financial Compensation:
Cardiovascular surgery is among the higher-paying medical specialties, with salaries reflecting the extensive training and skill involved.
Continuous Learning:
The field is constantly evolving with new technologies and techniques, providing ongoing learning opportunities and the chance to be at the forefront of medical advancements.
Challenges and Considerations
Lengthy Training:
The path to becoming a cardiovascular surgeon includes extensive education: 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, followed by 6-8 years of residency and fellowship training. It can be a long journey.
High Stress and Responsibility:
The job can be highly stressful, with significant responsibility for patients’ lives. Long hours, including nights and weekends, are common.
Emotional Toll:
Dealing with critically ill patients and their families can be emotionally challenging, especially when facing complications or loss.
Work-Life Balance:
Finding a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life can be a challenge in such demanding roles.
Summary
For many who pursue this career, the rewards—including the ability to significantly impact patients' lives, the prestige of the profession, and the financial compensation—outweigh the challenges. If you are passionate about healthcare and surgery and are prepared for the long training period, becoming a cardiovascular surgeon can be an incredibly fulfilling career choice.
If you're seriously considering this path, focus on your studies, seek out volunteer experiences in healthcare, and explore shadowing opportunities with healthcare professionals to gain insight into the field. Your enthusiasm for the surgical profession is an excellent foundation to build upon!
Becoming a cardiovascular surgeon is often considered highly rewarding, but it comes with a significant commitment in terms of education and training. Here’s a breakdown of the worthiness of this career choice:
Reasons It’s Worth It
Impact on Patients’ Lives:
Cardiovascular surgeons play a crucial role in saving and improving lives. They perform intricate surgeries that can relieve patients from life-threatening conditions.
Job Satisfaction:
Many surgeons report high levels of job satisfaction from the ability to make a tangible difference in patients' health and the opportunity to work in a critical area of healthcare.
Prestige and Respect:
The role of a cardiovascular surgeon is often held in high esteem, which can be rewarding personally and professionally.
Financial Compensation:
Cardiovascular surgery is among the higher-paying medical specialties, with salaries reflecting the extensive training and skill involved.
Continuous Learning:
The field is constantly evolving with new technologies and techniques, providing ongoing learning opportunities and the chance to be at the forefront of medical advancements.
Challenges and Considerations
Lengthy Training:
The path to becoming a cardiovascular surgeon includes extensive education: 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, followed by 6-8 years of residency and fellowship training. It can be a long journey.
High Stress and Responsibility:
The job can be highly stressful, with significant responsibility for patients’ lives. Long hours, including nights and weekends, are common.
Emotional Toll:
Dealing with critically ill patients and their families can be emotionally challenging, especially when facing complications or loss.
Work-Life Balance:
Finding a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life can be a challenge in such demanding roles.
Summary
For many who pursue this career, the rewards—including the ability to significantly impact patients' lives, the prestige of the profession, and the financial compensation—outweigh the challenges. If you are passionate about healthcare and surgery and are prepared for the long training period, becoming a cardiovascular surgeon can be an incredibly fulfilling career choice.
If you're seriously considering this path, focus on your studies, seek out volunteer experiences in healthcare, and explore shadowing opportunities with healthcare professionals to gain insight into the field. Your enthusiasm for the surgical profession is an excellent foundation to build upon!