The path to becoming a neurosurgeon is an arduous one, requiring many years of intense education and training. The road to it reflects not only commitment to medical excellence, but to personal endurance and the desire. Read Second Opinion: Neurosurgery Education with a Personal Touch in full here for an in-depth look at the path to becoming a neurosurgeon.
1. Undergraduate Education
On the path to becoming a neurosurgeon, the journey starts with gaining an undergraduate degree. This usually lasts four years and although an undergraduate major does not need to be specific many students who seek to become a Neurosurgeon choose biology or chemistry – or related courses in varying degrees of study, preference might be given for the former. Key coursework in biology, chemistry, physics and math.
2. Medical School
Medical School After completing a bachelor’s degree, next is medical school, which typically lasts 4 years. Med school is divided into the pre-clinical years where students engage in classroom instruction and labs with exercises that revolve around basic medical sciences, and clinical years in which students receive hands-on training by rotating through multiple medical specialties.
3. Residency Program
The residency program is the most demanding part of a neurosurgeon’s education. The longest route is to take a neurosurgery residency, which lasts about seven years. Here, residents train extensively in neurosurgery and are taught how to perform various procedures and techniques directed by seasoned neurosurgeons.
4. Fellowship (Optional)
Although not required, most neurosurgeons choose to subspecialize by doing a fellowship following residency. Neurosurgery fellowships: Specializing in pediatric neurosurgery, spine surgery, cerebrovascular surgery, etc., lasting one to two years.
Total Educational Timeline
In fact, when you consider everything from getting a BS to med school, residency training and possibly fellowship, the entire path of becoming a neurosurgeon can span 14-17 years. This schedule highlights the huge time investment needed to break into this difficult, yet rich field.
What this means for Future Neurosurgeons
Time commitment is the first thing that most people must understand, assuming they are considering the path of a full blown lawyer. This journey is long, but for those of you who are passionate about it and really want to be able to make some real difference in your patient’s lives, I think it’s a great pursuit.
To be a neurosurgeon apart from the technical skill and knowledge also you need a lot of dedication and resilience The road to becoming a neurosurgeon is long, but this educational journey unlike any other will be challenging, yet very rewarding.
For an even more comprehensive outline of the neurosurgeon years of school necessary, as well as clear direction over how to pursue this career line those interested in becoming a neurosurgeon can find additional resources.