<p>If anyone has read a previous thread of mine on this section of the CC boards, you might have been aware of my fond interest in neuroscience. One day I would like to take some top-notch neuroscience courses along with Literature in college. Sometimes, I catch myself daydreaming about what a career as a neurosurgeon would be like: </p>
<p>After four years of working hard in high school to gain a good foundation to succeed in my pre-med courses, I would enter a good college. Sacrificing my social life in this arduous process and enduring the cruelties associated with being a pre-med, I would, HOPEFULLY, get accepted into a decent medical school and suffer for another four years for that chance to realize a dream. Finally, the day comes when I recieve my M.D.. However, this uphill journey has not ended. I must go onto residency( If I were to commit myself to being a doctor, then I wouldn't mind which med school I enter as long as I am accepted into a great residency program, such as Mass. General, JHU, or Mayo Clinic). This will take 6 to 7 years of grueling and sleepless nights. As a female, I might have to delay beginning a family and being in a relationship. Plus, the sexism I might encounter in this male-dominated field could be overwhelming. But it would be worth it. Everyday would be filled with excitement of surgery, of learning new things, and of challenging your limitations. Such a THRILL to know that after such a battle and sacrifice, you have triumphed and succeeded and you where that title of doctor with pride. </p>
<p>O.k, I know this is somewhat idealistic of the road of becoming a neurosurgeon, especially the end. But, can you blame me?</p>
<p>Hehe...if not now, when? Go for it!</p>
<p>Yes, I will probably go for it, hehe. Sometimes, the gain is greater than the sacrifices. </p>
<p>But, I do tend to be self-conscious. Everywhere I go someone wants to be a doctor, except I know and you know not everyone will. In my school, I have kids who dreams of being a doctor, but they HATE the sciences and have poor work ethics. I don't mean to be critical. I'm not trying to say that they can't be a doctor, but I can. However, above anything else, medicine is a science which demands academic excellence. Without that, you can't possibly get into med school. This is my fear. I don't want to be like everyone else who say they want to be a doctor. Getting into med school and becoming a doctor is difficult. I don't know what my academic future holds in college and whether I'll survive the demands. </p>
<p>As for now, I'm exploring my interests and pushing myself intellectually. I'm only in high school and I have years before I have to seriously think about these issues. Staying relaxed is the most important thing. After all, if I do decide to become a doctor, then I'll have PLENTY of time to stress out...hehehe.</p>
<p>As a male, a fear of mine is that whole relationship thing as well.</p>
<p>What do you mean by that stone?</p>
<p>Well, let's say I'm out of med school at 26. Then 3 years of residency. That's 29. Then there's more specialization. I've heard that you have like NO social life in med school and very little as a resident. I have a pretty awesome one nowadays as a student in High School and I'm hoping UPenn will only get better, but ahh, 29 is way too late to start my life!</p>
<p>Perhaps I'm just being paranoid.</p>
<p>The residency is 6 years.</p>
<p>Anyway, you have to make choices. You can party your 4 years of college and then spend the next 40 years of your life working at some horrific job that you despise every single day, or you can get serious about learning something and becoming someone and then spend the next 40 years fairly content, always challenged, widely respected, adequately paid, etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>Doctors do have social lives, they just make them fit with life's other demands.</p>
<p>You make a good point doctor. What is 14 years of work compared to 40 years of a good life. I have heard stories of doctors getting married or having kids during med school or residency. So, having a life outside of medicine is not completely a ludicrous idea.</p>
<p>Oh I completely agree with that point. I was under the impression that med students and residents and surgeons themselves had absolutely NO life.</p>
<p>I got married after 1st year of med school. My wife was by then an intern. We lived on $14,000 a year (!), moved 4 times, had 2 kids along the way, finished 3 residencies and 2 fellowships, had friends and parties and generally enjoyed life fully. No sweat.</p>
<p>Let me add a PS. Med school was more fun and exciting and rewarding than anything else I've ever done, with the very notable exceptions of marriage & fatherhood.</p>
<p>Doctor, Where did you go for your undergraduate degree? What did you major in? When did you take your MCAT? How many times did you take it? What did you score on each part (Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Verbal)? What was your undergrad GPA? I know these are a lot of question but it would be very helpful if you don't mind answering. Oh and where did you go to Medical School?</p>
<p>I'm too old for the answers (were I to remember them) to be of any value to you.</p>
<p>Doctor, I have heard that neurosurgery is the most stressful career in medicine.
Lengthy residency and horrific hours, even after completing residency, are factors that contribute to this immensely. Also, surgeons, in general, are said to have a high divorce rate.
If one is to pursue neurosurgery, how would they maintain a healthy family life?
Balance is key, but I figure a neurosurgeon would have to sacrifice career for family or vice versa.
Also, how can neurosurgery residents support a family when residency is so long and the pay is so little?</p>