A Neurosurgeon's Life
By: Swapnika Alahari
Education
About 14 years, including:
- 4 years undergraduate
- 4 years medical school
- 6 years residency (medical training, and clinical training in obstetrics and gynecology, surgery. medicine, pediatrics or psychiatry)
- 1 year internships
Degrees include:
- Undergrad
- Bachelor's
- Medical
Certifications:
Board Certification in Neurological Surgery (Meeting certain requirements to work in certain higher end hospitals)
Neurosurgery Basics
Brain surgery, one of the most fatal procedures of all time, but if done correctly can bring many families together. There are many different reasons for traditional open brain surgery, such as brain tumors, relieving cranial pressure, traumatic brain injury, correction of malformed blood vessels and spine injuries.
Facts
Workload
On average, neurosurgeon does about 50 brain surgeries and 180 spine surgeries and works about 60 hours a week. The atmosphere tends to be high stress and flexibility is possible at times. Personal satisfaction is very high.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook is expected to be a steady 22% until 2020, and salary will fluctuate between 350,000 to 400,000 in the beginning up to 650,000 to 700,000 annually sometimes with an added bonus.
Necessary Skills and Interests
Most of the time the following are helpful to help secure a position higher up on the ladder for neurosurgery:
- Foreign Language
- Volunteer Work
- Shadowing
- Precision
- Communication
- Research
- Memory
Organizations
- WFNS (World Federation of Neurological Societies)
- FIENS (Foundation for International Education and Neurological Surgery)
- SNS (Society of Neurological Surgeons)
Goals to Set
Completing a higher degree such as a PhD, or doing experimental research for new products. Overall, helping in your field of expertise.
Best Places to Study
Dallas and Houston in Texas, but overall best schools are:
- Harvard Medical School
- USCF
- John Hopkins
- Perelman School of Medicine
- UW School of Medicine
Email: admissions_office@hms.harvard.edu
Website: hms.harvard.edu
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Phone: 6174321550