The path to become a neurosurgeon is long, arduous, and requires unparalleled dedication and academic achievement. The long educational process teaches neurosurgeons how to deal with the pitfalls of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve surgery. Today we will cover the requirements needed to practice pulmonary and critical care and the time investment required to apply for this premier medical profession.
1. Undergraduate Education
The neurosurgery journey starts with an undergraduate degree, usually four years of study. Neurosurgeons tend to follow a pre-medical track, while there is no mandated major, many aspiring neurosurgeons focus on areas of science such as biology, chemistry or physics. This is necessary education for MCAT prep and medical school preparations.
2. Medical School
Once a bachelor’s degree is achieved, medical school is the next four years of schooling one must complete. Medical school is divided into phases
The first two years provide rigorous education in theoretical as well as classroom based setting, regarding intricate aspects of anatomy, pharmacology, pathology and general medical knowledge.
The final 2 years consist of clinical rotations in a number of disciplines under supervised conditions, among other things, neurology and surgery rotations.
3. Residency Training
Following medical school, graduates must complete a residency during which they will train in neurosurgery..it’s considered the most rigorous and, aside from the total length of time (7 years), it’s one of the longest of any surgical discipline. The length of neurosurgery residency programs are typically seven years. Residents spend extensive time in this period immersed in the surgical and medical management of neurological problems, including complex surgical approaches and methods for managing patients.
4. Optional next: fellowship training
After residency, some neurosurgeons opt to pursue fellowship programs in the form of additional training. The main types of neurosurgical fellowships specialize in sub-specialties within the field, such as pediatric neurosurgery, functional neurosurgery, or neuro-oncology and last one to two years.
Total Educational Commitment
In all, including college general coursework and med school required courses, it averages about 15-17 years after high school just to practice as a neurosurgeon. This includes:
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (4 YEARS)
Four years in medical school.
A 7-year long neurosurgery residency
Fellowships can extend this time an additional one to two years, if pursued.
Conclusion
The longest and most demanding path to neurosurgery that exists in the medical professional. how many years of school to become a neurosurgeon you might ask? Despite being significant, this commitment leads to a prestigious and well-paid career where you deliver intensive care to patients suffering from the most difficult to treat medical conditions. This intense training leads to one of the most well-trained and talented groups in medicine – neurosurgeons.