3 answers
Nikyah
Student
Holland, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
426 views
what are the steps to becoming a successful surgeon ?
Hello, I am a sophomore who is looking to go into the medical field and already know where I wanna go to college and the med school I wanna go to. But I just want to know what it takes to become one of the most successful surgeons
Login to comment
3 answers
Rita Chuang
Physician
189
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I don't want you to not pursue your dreams but I want you to consider things that I never thought about when I was your age.
As a surgeon, you will have a long road in school.
4 years high school
4 years college
4 years medical school
5 years residency (I think)-this is very hard
When you become a surgeon (depending on the type), you will still be busy. If you are on call, you will need to get out of bed to go to the hospital when the ER calls you to operate on a person---2-3 AM maybe. I went to the ER to see a patient once at 2 am and when I called the surgeon, he was already in the OR operating on a different patient. I'm sure he also had patients to see in the office the next day. That surgeon had his own practice. He was married to an OB doctor and they had no kids.
Do you want to have a family? kids? Who is going to take care of the kids? Nanny? Your parents? Your partner? If you are constantly working, how are your kids going to feel about your job coming before them? I think if you work for a large group, you will take turns being on call which means any patient that needs an operation when you are on call will be called to you. I went to a party once and met an ENT doctor and he wasn't drinking because in case he was called, he would need to leave. I met a plastic surgeon who said she didn't ski in case she broke her arm. Her hands are her job and she had her own practice.
I know a lot of surgeons changed to being a " breast surgeon" which means they just operated on breast cancer patients because they did not want to be called in the middle of the night. I don't know if that would be too boring for you but it's something to consider.
As a surgeon, you will have a long road in school.
4 years high school
4 years college
4 years medical school
5 years residency (I think)-this is very hard
When you become a surgeon (depending on the type), you will still be busy. If you are on call, you will need to get out of bed to go to the hospital when the ER calls you to operate on a person---2-3 AM maybe. I went to the ER to see a patient once at 2 am and when I called the surgeon, he was already in the OR operating on a different patient. I'm sure he also had patients to see in the office the next day. That surgeon had his own practice. He was married to an OB doctor and they had no kids.
Do you want to have a family? kids? Who is going to take care of the kids? Nanny? Your parents? Your partner? If you are constantly working, how are your kids going to feel about your job coming before them? I think if you work for a large group, you will take turns being on call which means any patient that needs an operation when you are on call will be called to you. I went to a party once and met an ENT doctor and he wasn't drinking because in case he was called, he would need to leave. I met a plastic surgeon who said she didn't ski in case she broke her arm. Her hands are her job and she had her own practice.
I know a lot of surgeons changed to being a " breast surgeon" which means they just operated on breast cancer patients because they did not want to be called in the middle of the night. I don't know if that would be too boring for you but it's something to consider.
Martin Schoen
APRN
282
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Embarking on this journey may seem daunting, but if it's what you're passionate about, the rewards will undoubtedly outweigh the challenges. You'll need to graduate from medical school and complete a five-year residency in general surgery. If you choose to delve deeper into a specific field, a bit more training will be necessary.
When it comes to the idea of success, it's a rather subjective concept. Does it mean earning the highest income? Gaining the utmost respect from your peers? Being recognized as the top surgeon in your community? Performing the most surgeries? And so on. It's a question that doesn't have a straightforward answer.
Remember, the true measure of success lies within you, not in the opinions of others. Your personal satisfaction and fulfillment are what truly matter. So, go ahead and define your own success, and don't let anyone else's views sway you!
When it comes to the idea of success, it's a rather subjective concept. Does it mean earning the highest income? Gaining the utmost respect from your peers? Being recognized as the top surgeon in your community? Performing the most surgeries? And so on. It's a question that doesn't have a straightforward answer.
Remember, the true measure of success lies within you, not in the opinions of others. Your personal satisfaction and fulfillment are what truly matter. So, go ahead and define your own success, and don't let anyone else's views sway you!
Lisa Betterson
Healthcare Regulatory/Compliance Assurance
8
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Becoming a successful surgeon involves a long and rigorous educational and training pathway, as well as a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Here are the key steps to becoming a successful surgeon:
1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree**
- Focus on Pre-Medical Courses:** Take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Maintain a High GPA:** Aim for a strong GPA to be competitive for medical school admissions.
- Extracurricular Activities:** Engage in extracurricular activities such as volunteering, research, and shadowing physicians to gain exposure to the medical field.
2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Prepare for the MCAT:** Study for and achieve a competitive score on the MCAT, which assesses your knowledge of scientific concepts and critical thinking skills.
3. Attend Medical School (4 Years)
- First Two Years:** Focus on classroom-based learning, covering subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and medical ethics.
- Last Two Years:** Participate in clinical rotations in various specialties, including surgery, to gain hands-on experience.
4. Earn a Medical Degree (MD or DO)
- Successfully complete medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
5. Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)
- Step 1Typically taken after the second year of medical school.
- Step 2 (CK and CS): Taken during the fourth year of medical school.
- Step 3: Completed during the first or second year of residency.
6. Complete a Surgical Residency Program (5-7 Years)
- General Surgery Residency:** Enroll in a general surgery residency program, which typically lasts five years. This includes intensive training in surgical techniques, patient care, and medical knowledge.
- Subspecialty Fellowship (Optional):If you wish to specialize further (e.g., cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery), complete an additional fellowship program, which can last 1-3 years.
7. Obtain Board Certification
- American Board of Surgery (ABS): After completing your residency, pass the board certification exams administered by the ABS or the appropriate certifying board for your specialty.
- Continuous Certification: Maintain certification through ongoing education and periodic re-examination.
8. Secure a Position and Gain Experience
- Find Employment:Secure a position in a hospital, clinic, or private practice. Early career surgeons often work under the guidance of more experienced colleagues.
ve a successful and rewarding career as a surgeon.
1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree**
- Focus on Pre-Medical Courses:** Take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
- Maintain a High GPA:** Aim for a strong GPA to be competitive for medical school admissions.
- Extracurricular Activities:** Engage in extracurricular activities such as volunteering, research, and shadowing physicians to gain exposure to the medical field.
2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Prepare for the MCAT:** Study for and achieve a competitive score on the MCAT, which assesses your knowledge of scientific concepts and critical thinking skills.
3. Attend Medical School (4 Years)
- First Two Years:** Focus on classroom-based learning, covering subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and medical ethics.
- Last Two Years:** Participate in clinical rotations in various specialties, including surgery, to gain hands-on experience.
4. Earn a Medical Degree (MD or DO)
- Successfully complete medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
5. Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)
- Step 1Typically taken after the second year of medical school.
- Step 2 (CK and CS): Taken during the fourth year of medical school.
- Step 3: Completed during the first or second year of residency.
6. Complete a Surgical Residency Program (5-7 Years)
- General Surgery Residency:** Enroll in a general surgery residency program, which typically lasts five years. This includes intensive training in surgical techniques, patient care, and medical knowledge.
- Subspecialty Fellowship (Optional):If you wish to specialize further (e.g., cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery), complete an additional fellowship program, which can last 1-3 years.
7. Obtain Board Certification
- American Board of Surgery (ABS): After completing your residency, pass the board certification exams administered by the ABS or the appropriate certifying board for your specialty.
- Continuous Certification: Maintain certification through ongoing education and periodic re-examination.
8. Secure a Position and Gain Experience
- Find Employment:Secure a position in a hospital, clinic, or private practice. Early career surgeons often work under the guidance of more experienced colleagues.
ve a successful and rewarding career as a surgeon.