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Bansi
Student
Glen Allen, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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I want to become a general pediatrician.
Hey there! I want to become a pediatrician. It is my dream! Is there any advice and/or guidance you can provide? I know this is a vague question, but any small idea will do! Thanks!
Thanks in advance,
Bansi
#pediatrician #healthcare #job #doctor #medical
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2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1591
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
HOW TO BECOME A GENERAL PEDIATRICIAN
In order to become a pediatrician, Bansi you must meet education, training, and licensure requirements. While some pediatricians work in hospital settings, many operate their own practice with one or more additional pediatricians. Partnering with other physicians can give each doctor flexibility for time off, etc. Despite this flexibility, all doctors (pediatricians included) must typically work long hours on occasion, particularly if one of their patients is undergoing a difficult procedure or treatment. Under normal circumstances, you may be working typical office hours alongside other physicians. However, most of your training and residency will demand long and unstable schedules. Medical emergencies do not have “business hours,” and you may be expected to respond to a medical emergency involving your patient.
STEP 1: EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGEE
There is no specific major that prospective general pediatricians need to pursue before enrolling in medical school. However, it's important that students take several science and science-related courses. Examples of majors may include chemistry, physics and biology. Some colleges and universities may even offer a pre-medicine track that will include courses in anatomy and physiology. While in school, it is helpful to work in a medical facility. Admission into medical school is very competitive, and it's important that applicants look for any possible advantage. While a strong grade point average is important, volunteering at a local health clinic or working in a medical facility may be beneficial since it adds to the extracurricular activities that you can list on a medical school application. Also, you should get letters of recommendation. Medical schools sometimes require these, but it's important for you to get them even if they aren't a prerequisite. You should build strong relationships with professors in the pre-med track to get positive letters of recommendations for med school.
STEP 2: TAKE YOUR MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST (MCAT)
After completing your bachelor's degree, you will have to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). These performance scores are required by almost all medical schools in the nation. Content areas that are tested on the MCAT include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. The MCAT is a standardized examination that is also designed to assess problem solving, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. Students planning on going to medical school can take the MCAT up to three times in a year.
STEP 3: ENROLL IN MEDICAL SCHOOL
If you do well on the MCAT, you could be accepted into medical school. Medical school programs generally last four years. The first two years usually entail classroom and laboratory work, while the last two years allow students to work directly with patients under the supervision of experienced doctors. Medical school coursework generally covers topics in pharmacology, pathology, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry. Students also study the practice of medicine and legal issues related to healthcare. Consider also participating in an internship. Medical students will be expected to choose internships that focus on a specific specialty. This will help them get into a residency program. The internship is often completed during the summer between the third and fourth years.
STEP 4: COMPLETE YOUR MEDICAL RESIDENCY
After graduating from medical school, aspiring doctors must enter residency programs. In a residency, doctors will receive paid, on-the-job training. These can last anywhere from 3-7 years, depending on the specialty. They take place in a hospital and offer an opportunity for medical school graduates to begin treating patients under the supervision of an experienced doctor.
STEP 5: OBTAIN YOUR MEDICAL LICENSE
Pediatricians in all 50 states must obtain state licensure to practice medicine. Requirements do vary by state, so students should be sure to check the specific requirements for the state in which they plan to work. Pediatricians must obtain medical licensure to practice in hospitals and other types of medical facilities. In order to earn licensure, doctors must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). This three-part exam covers topics involving scientific and medical concepts, patient care and management in ambulatory settings.
PEDIATRICIAN JOB OUTLOOK AND SALARY
While employment of all doctors is expected to grow by more than 10% over the next few years, the outlook for pediatricians is notably bright Bansi. Only pediatricians can serve minors and appropriately liaise between parents and children under treatment. The average Pediatrician salary in the United States is $203,800 as of September 25, 2020, but the range typically falls between $177,600 and $243,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Hope this was Helpful
In order to become a pediatrician, Bansi you must meet education, training, and licensure requirements. While some pediatricians work in hospital settings, many operate their own practice with one or more additional pediatricians. Partnering with other physicians can give each doctor flexibility for time off, etc. Despite this flexibility, all doctors (pediatricians included) must typically work long hours on occasion, particularly if one of their patients is undergoing a difficult procedure or treatment. Under normal circumstances, you may be working typical office hours alongside other physicians. However, most of your training and residency will demand long and unstable schedules. Medical emergencies do not have “business hours,” and you may be expected to respond to a medical emergency involving your patient.
STEP 1: EARN YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGEE
There is no specific major that prospective general pediatricians need to pursue before enrolling in medical school. However, it's important that students take several science and science-related courses. Examples of majors may include chemistry, physics and biology. Some colleges and universities may even offer a pre-medicine track that will include courses in anatomy and physiology. While in school, it is helpful to work in a medical facility. Admission into medical school is very competitive, and it's important that applicants look for any possible advantage. While a strong grade point average is important, volunteering at a local health clinic or working in a medical facility may be beneficial since it adds to the extracurricular activities that you can list on a medical school application. Also, you should get letters of recommendation. Medical schools sometimes require these, but it's important for you to get them even if they aren't a prerequisite. You should build strong relationships with professors in the pre-med track to get positive letters of recommendations for med school.
STEP 2: TAKE YOUR MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST (MCAT)
After completing your bachelor's degree, you will have to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). These performance scores are required by almost all medical schools in the nation. Content areas that are tested on the MCAT include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. The MCAT is a standardized examination that is also designed to assess problem solving, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. Students planning on going to medical school can take the MCAT up to three times in a year.
STEP 3: ENROLL IN MEDICAL SCHOOL
If you do well on the MCAT, you could be accepted into medical school. Medical school programs generally last four years. The first two years usually entail classroom and laboratory work, while the last two years allow students to work directly with patients under the supervision of experienced doctors. Medical school coursework generally covers topics in pharmacology, pathology, anatomy and physiology, and biochemistry. Students also study the practice of medicine and legal issues related to healthcare. Consider also participating in an internship. Medical students will be expected to choose internships that focus on a specific specialty. This will help them get into a residency program. The internship is often completed during the summer between the third and fourth years.
STEP 4: COMPLETE YOUR MEDICAL RESIDENCY
After graduating from medical school, aspiring doctors must enter residency programs. In a residency, doctors will receive paid, on-the-job training. These can last anywhere from 3-7 years, depending on the specialty. They take place in a hospital and offer an opportunity for medical school graduates to begin treating patients under the supervision of an experienced doctor.
STEP 5: OBTAIN YOUR MEDICAL LICENSE
Pediatricians in all 50 states must obtain state licensure to practice medicine. Requirements do vary by state, so students should be sure to check the specific requirements for the state in which they plan to work. Pediatricians must obtain medical licensure to practice in hospitals and other types of medical facilities. In order to earn licensure, doctors must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). This three-part exam covers topics involving scientific and medical concepts, patient care and management in ambulatory settings.
PEDIATRICIAN JOB OUTLOOK AND SALARY
While employment of all doctors is expected to grow by more than 10% over the next few years, the outlook for pediatricians is notably bright Bansi. Only pediatricians can serve minors and appropriately liaise between parents and children under treatment. The average Pediatrician salary in the United States is $203,800 as of September 25, 2020, but the range typically falls between $177,600 and $243,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Hope this was Helpful
Thank you so much for the detailed information! :)
Bansi
Thank You Yasemin. “Our generations has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.” — Natalie Portman
Doc Frick
Your Welcome Bansi, it was my Pleasure. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible”!
Doc Frick
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Bansi! My dream is to be a pediatrician too, so it looks like our interests in the medical field are the same! John's answer does a great job with the details of becoming a pediatrician, I would definitely also add to get experience as a college undergrad. That being said, volunteer, shadow and maybe even do research because these aspects will entail your commitment to the medical field. Grades/GPA and the MCAT score are crucial to getting accepted to medical school but these extracurriculars are what will give you the additional competitive edge. In addition since your grades and MCAT score are very important, make sure to do well in the classes you take since you would like your GPA to be a 3.7+ to be competitive. A higher MCAT score can compensate for a lower GPA and vice versa but you would still like to keep stellar scores regardless to have an even balance. Make sure to attend classes and get to know your professors through office hours and participation because as they can have wisdom to offer for medical school they can also give assistance through recommendation letters. You will need 3 recommendation letters (LOR's) minimum for medical schools; 2 from a science professor who taught you and one from non science who taught you as well, like psychology, history, English, etc. Additional LOR's can be provided by your supervisor/boss, basically someone in a professional area who has gotten to know you and can speak well on your behalf; most medical schools have a max. of 5 letters and some medical schools also require one from a physician/healthcare professional so shadowing a physician can definitely help in this area! When the time comes to apply make sure to do research on the LOR's to see what is needed and so you can plan accordingly and give your writers time to hand them in!
I would also check out AAMC.org because this is the site where you sign up for the MCAT and apply to medical school; there are also many helpful resources as well for students interested in being in the medical field. As a college undergrad you will be a premed student, and take prerequisites like biology, physics, chemistry, etc., but you will also have the opportunity to meet with a premed adviser and they will give you the details on which classes to complete as well as helping you out with any questions. If you know of anyone in the medical field as well, definitely keep in touch with them because they will have much more to offer firsthand as well along the road! I only say this last part because my siblings both took the path of being a physician so it did help me out too but we are always here for help on CareerVillage as well!
Hopefully this has helped, and it may seem like a lot of information but as long as you work hard, stay dedicated and find balance you will be wearing the white coat in no time!
I wish you the best future doctor!
Check out AAMC.org
Do well in classes/MCAT
Volunteer/get experience
I would also check out AAMC.org because this is the site where you sign up for the MCAT and apply to medical school; there are also many helpful resources as well for students interested in being in the medical field. As a college undergrad you will be a premed student, and take prerequisites like biology, physics, chemistry, etc., but you will also have the opportunity to meet with a premed adviser and they will give you the details on which classes to complete as well as helping you out with any questions. If you know of anyone in the medical field as well, definitely keep in touch with them because they will have much more to offer firsthand as well along the road! I only say this last part because my siblings both took the path of being a physician so it did help me out too but we are always here for help on CareerVillage as well!
Hopefully this has helped, and it may seem like a lot of information but as long as you work hard, stay dedicated and find balance you will be wearing the white coat in no time!
I wish you the best future doctor!
Yasemin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you! :)
Bansi
You're welcome!
Yasemin G.
Congratulations on over 300 Questions answered on Careers Village Yasemin. In life lots of people know what to do, but few actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! We must take action.”
Doc Frick
Thank you very much!
Yasemin G.
Your advice is very insightful.
Sheila Jordan
Thank you very much Sheila!
Yasemin G.