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What are some jobs in the pediatric field?
I am a freshman in high school, and I am considering going into the medical field. I have a few questions about the things I should do.
- What steps would I have to take to have a job in the pediatrics field?
- What are some jobs in the pediatric field?
- Why is medical school difficult?
- What jobs in the pediatric fields have a lack of women representation?
- What are some jobs in the pediatric field I can make a career out of, so I can grow ?
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Anna’s Answer
Hi Alana, if you're undecided about medical school but still want to go into the healthcare field, you could also consider allied health professions like speech-language pathologist, audiologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or respiratory therapist. Those are careers that can involve working in medical settings as a pediatric healthcare practitioner, yet the education and training process is not as long as the path to becoming an MD.
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Karyme’s Answer
Hi Alana,
- What steps would I have to take to have a job in the pediatrics field? First, you need to have empathy and patience with yourself to take care of others. Some do not have much experience with this and would instead take care of others before themselves, which causes burnout or another negative impact on their lives. That is number one. And answering your main question depends on what you mean by that. Do you want to pursue a career as a doctor, nurse, or assistant? If you want to be a doctor (pediatrician), you need four years of college, 4 years of medical school, plus residency and/or fellowship to specialize in something. If you want to become a nurse, you can go to a 2-year college and get an ADN degree, or a 4-year college and get a BSN degree and then work in whatever floor you want to work, could be ER, ICU, NICU, PACU, MICU, L&D, Peds, etc. Then, you can get your master's degree or doctorate to become an NP, depending on where you live or programs, and specialize in pediatric or family nurse practitioner. for assistance, you can get a CNA certification from a trade school (some 2-year colleges offer it, too), and you'll be a CNA and can start working immediately at a nursing home, hospital, or long-term care. once you've obtained experience, you can move to a hospital and become either an OB/Tech or work on a floor again like ER, ICU, Peds, etc.
- What are some jobs in the pediatric field? NICU, OB/tech (basically like labor and delivery). I agree with James's options if you want something more advanced, like a doctor, but that requires you to attend medical school.
Why is medical school difficult? There is a lot of information to learn and retain. Yes, you're learning from the books and PowerPoints, but it is a challenging field since you are basically giving away your life to save other people's lives. Life or school after high school is not the same. It's like a full-time job. You can do it, though!
- What jobs in the pediatric fields lack representation of women? I want the majority of them since people think the title "doctor" is just for males, and it's not. Anyone can become whatever they want in life. But some of the specialty fields are the following:
Pediatric Surgery, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Neurology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, Gastroenterology
- What are some jobs in the pediatric field I can make a career out of so I can grow? I strongly suggest you shadow different medical professionals to find your true passion. For example, you can shadow a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, doctors (cardiologist, ENT, neurology), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, autism clinics, and psychologists near you. I suggest you google "pediatric physical therapist near me" or "pediatric (whatever medical professional you might be interested in, perhaps the ones that I've mentioned above.) You can do this by sending them a letter, which could be typed or written, an email, giving them a call, or simply going in person and handing them the written letter with your contact information, such as an email and your phone #. I strongly suggest tracking your hours since this could be a benefit for later in the future when applying to grad school or medical school. Buy a notebook (pocket size) and jot down any important information about the MD/DO/PA, whoever you are shadowing, and then if you want to be nicer or like to have nice notes, then you can write it out again and make it fancier. You can write a reflection in your notes like, "On this day, I did X hours at XYZ clinic. I shadowed Dr. Smith, a cardiologist. During my time here, I learned how to interact with patients, how many patients we saw, and their consultations, treatments, diagnoses, follow-ups, etc. I learned that the heart has four chambers, two atriums, and two ventricles,..."
Hopefully, this helps!!!! Good luck, Alana, you got this! I hope I didn't discourage you too much! Stay blessed! (:
- What steps would I have to take to have a job in the pediatrics field? First, you need to have empathy and patience with yourself to take care of others. Some do not have much experience with this and would instead take care of others before themselves, which causes burnout or another negative impact on their lives. That is number one. And answering your main question depends on what you mean by that. Do you want to pursue a career as a doctor, nurse, or assistant? If you want to be a doctor (pediatrician), you need four years of college, 4 years of medical school, plus residency and/or fellowship to specialize in something. If you want to become a nurse, you can go to a 2-year college and get an ADN degree, or a 4-year college and get a BSN degree and then work in whatever floor you want to work, could be ER, ICU, NICU, PACU, MICU, L&D, Peds, etc. Then, you can get your master's degree or doctorate to become an NP, depending on where you live or programs, and specialize in pediatric or family nurse practitioner. for assistance, you can get a CNA certification from a trade school (some 2-year colleges offer it, too), and you'll be a CNA and can start working immediately at a nursing home, hospital, or long-term care. once you've obtained experience, you can move to a hospital and become either an OB/Tech or work on a floor again like ER, ICU, Peds, etc.
- What are some jobs in the pediatric field? NICU, OB/tech (basically like labor and delivery). I agree with James's options if you want something more advanced, like a doctor, but that requires you to attend medical school.
Why is medical school difficult? There is a lot of information to learn and retain. Yes, you're learning from the books and PowerPoints, but it is a challenging field since you are basically giving away your life to save other people's lives. Life or school after high school is not the same. It's like a full-time job. You can do it, though!
- What jobs in the pediatric fields lack representation of women? I want the majority of them since people think the title "doctor" is just for males, and it's not. Anyone can become whatever they want in life. But some of the specialty fields are the following:
Pediatric Surgery, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Neurology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, Gastroenterology
- What are some jobs in the pediatric field I can make a career out of so I can grow? I strongly suggest you shadow different medical professionals to find your true passion. For example, you can shadow a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, doctors (cardiologist, ENT, neurology), nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, autism clinics, and psychologists near you. I suggest you google "pediatric physical therapist near me" or "pediatric (whatever medical professional you might be interested in, perhaps the ones that I've mentioned above.) You can do this by sending them a letter, which could be typed or written, an email, giving them a call, or simply going in person and handing them the written letter with your contact information, such as an email and your phone #. I strongly suggest tracking your hours since this could be a benefit for later in the future when applying to grad school or medical school. Buy a notebook (pocket size) and jot down any important information about the MD/DO/PA, whoever you are shadowing, and then if you want to be nicer or like to have nice notes, then you can write it out again and make it fancier. You can write a reflection in your notes like, "On this day, I did X hours at XYZ clinic. I shadowed Dr. Smith, a cardiologist. During my time here, I learned how to interact with patients, how many patients we saw, and their consultations, treatments, diagnoses, follow-ups, etc. I learned that the heart has four chambers, two atriums, and two ventricles,..."
Hopefully, this helps!!!! Good luck, Alana, you got this! I hope I didn't discourage you too much! Stay blessed! (:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Alana,
Here's your roadmap to a rewarding career in Pediatrics:
1. Education: Kickstart your journey with a bachelor’s degree, preferably in pre-medical studies or a related field. Strive to achieve a high GPA during your undergraduate course.
2. MCAT Exam: Next, prepare and appear for the MCAT exam, a prerequisite for getting into a medical school.
3. Medical School: Post your undergraduate course and MCAT, enroll in a medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
4. Residency Training: After medical school, step into a residency program in pediatrics. This three-year program offers hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating children under the guidance of seasoned physicians.
5. Board Certification: Once your residency training is complete, consider becoming board-certified by clearing the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) examination.
6. Licensure: To legally practice medicine, secure a state medical license by fulfilling the specific requirements of the state where you plan to work.
7. Continuing Education: Stay updated with the latest advancements in pediatric care and maintain your license through continuing education.
Career Opportunities in Pediatrics:
Pediatrics offers a multitude of career paths:
- Pediatrician: As a pediatrician, you'll provide medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.
- Pediatric Nurse: Pediatric nurses cater to children of all ages in various healthcare settings, offering direct patient care and family support.
- Pediatric Surgeon: Specialize as a pediatric surgeon to perform surgical procedures on children, from corrective surgeries to emergency interventions.
- Pediatric Oncologist: As a pediatric oncologist, you'll diagnose and treat cancers in children, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive care.
- Pediatric Cardiologist: Specialize in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in children, including congenital heart defects and acquired heart diseases.
- Pediatric Neurologist: As a pediatric neurologist, you'll diagnose and treat neurological disorders in children, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
Key Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): A leading organization offering guidelines, resources, and best practices in pediatric care.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Offers detailed occupational outlooks and data on healthcare professions, including job growth projections and salary statistics for pediatric-related careers.
- American Medical Association (AMA): A reliable source for information on medical education pathways, licensing requirements, and professional development opportunities for physicians specializing in pediatrics.
God Bless,
JC.
Here's your roadmap to a rewarding career in Pediatrics:
1. Education: Kickstart your journey with a bachelor’s degree, preferably in pre-medical studies or a related field. Strive to achieve a high GPA during your undergraduate course.
2. MCAT Exam: Next, prepare and appear for the MCAT exam, a prerequisite for getting into a medical school.
3. Medical School: Post your undergraduate course and MCAT, enroll in a medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
4. Residency Training: After medical school, step into a residency program in pediatrics. This three-year program offers hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating children under the guidance of seasoned physicians.
5. Board Certification: Once your residency training is complete, consider becoming board-certified by clearing the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) examination.
6. Licensure: To legally practice medicine, secure a state medical license by fulfilling the specific requirements of the state where you plan to work.
7. Continuing Education: Stay updated with the latest advancements in pediatric care and maintain your license through continuing education.
Career Opportunities in Pediatrics:
Pediatrics offers a multitude of career paths:
- Pediatrician: As a pediatrician, you'll provide medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.
- Pediatric Nurse: Pediatric nurses cater to children of all ages in various healthcare settings, offering direct patient care and family support.
- Pediatric Surgeon: Specialize as a pediatric surgeon to perform surgical procedures on children, from corrective surgeries to emergency interventions.
- Pediatric Oncologist: As a pediatric oncologist, you'll diagnose and treat cancers in children, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive care.
- Pediatric Cardiologist: Specialize in diagnosing and treating heart conditions in children, including congenital heart defects and acquired heart diseases.
- Pediatric Neurologist: As a pediatric neurologist, you'll diagnose and treat neurological disorders in children, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
Key Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): A leading organization offering guidelines, resources, and best practices in pediatric care.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Offers detailed occupational outlooks and data on healthcare professions, including job growth projections and salary statistics for pediatric-related careers.
- American Medical Association (AMA): A reliable source for information on medical education pathways, licensing requirements, and professional development opportunities for physicians specializing in pediatrics.
God Bless,
JC.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Alana