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How would I start of learning about something they won’t teach?

How would I start off learning about being anesthesiologist if they don’t teach about it? And what would I have to do to meet the requirements for being an anesthesiologist?

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Kess’s Answer

Hi Kahliyah! Good question!!

Anesthesiology is a bit complex to get into. Anesthesiologists are specialized doctors so you'll need to go high school > college > med school > residency.... So here we go!

1. Complete high school (since I don't know what level you are at, we are starting here).

2. Research what college you want to go to for your bachelor's degree. Most medical schools will consider any degree as long as you've completed the prerequisites for the med school. Make sure to take some classes that you enjoy as well! Med schools want to see well-rounded applicants with passions outside of medicine, not someone who just checked the boxes.
(I have a bachelor's in biomedical science with minors in chemistry and sociology, and my friends in medical school have English, Russian history, and Psychology degrees.)

3. Take as many classes as you can for your degree at your community college to save money (but make sure they transfer to a university)! Apply for financial aid through FAFSA. Some community colleges have programs to get you from that community college and into a nearby university.

4. Apply for and graduate with at least a bachelor's degree. Some people opt for a Master's degree such as in Public Health but it is not required.

5. Prepare for and take the MCAT (medical college admissions test). Your college may be able to help you with some test prep here!

6. Prepare for and apply to medical schools (both MD (medical doctor) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) can be anesthesiologists). There are also Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who work under Anesthesiologists. That might be another option to look at (unfortunately I know basically nothing about that one).

7. Complete 4 years of medical school (the first 2 years are book learning, second two years are clinical rotations). Licensing exams are done after the 2nd year of medical school and another after the 3rd year. Then the 3rd one is done during residency.

8. Apply for and attend the residency - another few years of training depending on specialty. (Take your 3rd major exam here.) Thankfully, residency is actually a paid position. Anesthesia residency is 4 years. I'm not sure if pediatric or other specialty anesthesiologists have other residency requirements.

GOOD LUCK! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Kess recommends the following next steps:

Read this article about being an anesthesiologist: https://theanesthesiaconsultant.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-anesthesiologist/
Consider contacting your local hospital to see if you can speak to an anesthesiologist or the CRNA about what it's like.
Consider volunteering at the hospital or shadowing the anesthesiologist if they let you. This is difficult since the OR is tightly controlled.
Believe in yourself, you can do this! Stick with it!!
Start all that crazy school stuff listed above :D
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Rita’s Answer

For anesthesiology, you will need to go to medical school. Everything is about connections. Several anesthesiologists are pain management doctors. I would try to work as a scribe ( you type the notes for physicians) and specifically try to work for pain management. When you do this, you actually first see what the doctors are doing and then you have an idea of you like the job or not. Second, hopefully you can build a relationship with the doctor and ask them questions. S/he can then give you advice.
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T.J.’s Answer

Hello Khaliyah!

Undergraduate programs won't focus their programs on becoming a anesthesiologist (specifically).

To become an anesthesiologist [to practice it at the doctor or physician level], you'll need to complete a residency after medical school. Residency training will allow you to learn in-depth about anesthesiology and get board certified to practice it in your career.

If you want to practice anesthesia as a assistant or nurse, you'll need to get a master's degree in an anesthesiologist assistant program and complete special training afterwards.

Both paths require advanced education after a bachelor's degree. You can prepare for it though!

Here's some resources for you:

▶ American Society of Anesthesiologists - Careers in anesthesia: https://www.asahq.org/education-and-career/career-resources/anesthesia-as-a-career
▶ How to Become an Anesthesiologist Assistant | https://hospitalcareers.com/career-paths/how-to-become-an-anesthesiologist-assistant
▶ How to Become an Anesthesiologist | https://hospitalcareers.com/career-paths/how-to-become-an-anesthesiologist
▶ AAAA | https://www.anesthetist.org/
▶ To find accredited medical schools, use the LCME [Liaison Committe of Medical Education] website:
https://lcme.org/directory/accredited-u-s-programs/

Sending you good luck as you prepare for your career in medicine :)
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Becky’s Answer

In addition to the great advice above, if you are still in high school see if your school offers health careers electives. Many of the programs I have seen and been a part of will offer connections and sometimes mentorships with professionals the field. Additionally the programs often times end with an internship in local healthcare environments that focus on careers needing 18 months to 2 years of additional education. It is a good way to see if you like working in healthcare to start and you would receive high school credit hours for participating.

You may also want to check out this YouTube channel run by a Mount Sinai Anesthesiology Chief Teaching resident. The channel was first started to share knowledge with other residents, but has garnered a large audience outside of medical professionals.

https://www.youtube.com/@MaxFeinsteinMD
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Nikicha’s Answer

Research the Field: Begin by gathering information about anesthesiology as a medical specialty. Learn about the role of anesthesiologists, the types of procedures they're involved in, and the skills and knowledge required for the profession. Online resources, books, medical journals, and professional associations like the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) can be valuable sources of information.
Academic Preparation: Pursue a pre-medical education. Generally, this involves completing a bachelor's degree with a strong foundation in science, including courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. While your specific institution may not offer anesthesiology-focused courses, focus on excelling in the sciences and maintaining a high GPA
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