When people ask “What do you want to go to school for?” and you say to become a doctor, they automatically think, oh you are going to be going to school for a long time, do you think you can do it? Well, of course, I think I can if that's what I want to become. When I was little I used to tell people I wanted to become a vegetarian, but obviously, I meant Veterinarian. As I got older I decided that I could not look at animals all the time - I am scared of most of them! Then I wanted to become a Pediatrician. I stuck with it for a long time; why not become a pediatrician? Who doesn't love children? This should be easy right? I used to watch these videos of pediatricians and what they all they had to do with children, and I started thinking I can't do this all the time, it's not for me, but I still wanted to become a doctor. I have always wanted to become a doctor. I heard this quote last year that said: “There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking” (Tracey). When I stopped thinking inside the box and started thinking outside of it I saw a bigger picture for me. I like seeing bloody wounds, people giving birth, and I started watching videos of people having surgery, and I found it very intriguing. I knew I wanted to become a doctor, but I was even more sure that I wanted to become a surgeon. “A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work” (Powell). From that moment I started doing researching things on how to become a surgeon.
Once I started researching I found this article on Study.com called Steps To Become A Doctor. According to Study.com’s article, the first step is to earn a Bachelor's Degree, “while earning that Bachelors Degree you can get healthcare experience by volunteering in hospitals, clinics or other healthcare environments” (Study.com). Now I think this is about the easiest step that I am very confident in doing. Then it starts getting a little more complicated in Step 2 you have to pass the ‘Medical College Admissions Test” (MCAT). The test is to assess problem-solving, verbal reasoning and writing skills. It will determine if you can go to medical school or if you are not good enough. In step 3 you have to earn a medical degree. Which will take 4 more years. In the first 2 years, you will spend in a classroom and doing laboratory work. The last 2 years you will work directly with patients under the supervision of experienced doctors. After earning your medical degree in step 4 you need to complete a residency program. Which includes developing problem list, performing physical exams and compiling medical histories. A residency program may take anywhere from 3-7 years to complete depending on specialty. In step 5 is where you obtain licensure; you have to have graduated from medical school. The examination process is three steps. After that, you are officially a licensed doctor. In step 6 it is not required but increases employment opportunities. You get certified to advance a career. Once you become a physician you fall into two main categories M.D. and D.O. There are also some key skills that you have to know to become a doctor; problem-solving, leadership, empathy, and communication; proficiency with specialized tools and technology emotional stability and ability to handle stress. Surgeons are a little more difficult you have to be able to handle a lot to become one.
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Surgeons are just about the same as physicians, they are both authorities in the practice of medicine. “They assess patients, diagnose diseases and illnesses, and treat a variety of conditions” (learn how to become.org) Surgeons don't just go into the operation room. The plan for the surgery has to be well thought out before you can even think about going into surgery. You have to think of all the pros and cons, anything unexpected can happen during surgery and you have to be prepared for any blood leaks and for the different outcomes that may happen at the end of surgery. “Surgeons will also have to talk to the family and patients to help them understand the situation and the risks of surgery. They will discuss other options if there is something they can do to prevent having surgery, like some kind of treatment of medication (Bureau). Surgery is always the last thing a doctor wants to do because surgery is a very high-risk thing; there is not always a guarantee that you will make it off the operating table. Surgeons perform operations in sterilized operating rooms that have been set up according to the type of surgery that will be performed. Surgeons schedules are not always the same; they work a regular day just like everyone else, but they have to be prepared to be called back at any time of the night, and be willing to work holidays as well (Fields). Becoming part of the medical field is great for helping people, but you also get paid great. “Medicine is one of the highest paying occupations in the country.” It is also stated in an article from learnhowtobecome.org that “The bureau of labor statistics reports that doctors account for 45 percent of the 20 highest paying jobs in the country.” That is a great deal of money, but you are saving peoples lives so I think they deserve that. “Average salaries easily surpass six figures, with some surgeons and physicians able to command salaries greater than 400,000.” Different kinds of doctors all get paid differently, but it’s not all about that. One of the kinds of surgeons I want to become is a general surgeon.
A general surgeon is a basic level surgeon, all surgeons have to learn the things a general surgeon knows, then they can move on to a different specialty. The ones that choose to stick with general also deal with different specialties like “Treating cancer, or burns.” I think general surgery is also one of the safest surgeries because all the new technology allows “ General surgeons to use minimally invasive procedures and techniques to treat conditions ranging from thyroid disorders to tumors in the breast.” (learnhowtobecome.org) General surgeons are expected to have knowledge and experience about things like surgical critical care, surgical oncology, and trauma. The reason I want to become a general surgeon is to help cure cancer; I could be one of the doctors to help millions of people. Also, I just love looking and being able to study things like Abdomens, breast, skin, endocrine systems (). Once I feel like I have really influenced lives in general surgery I want to study and learn a different specialty like cardiac or cardiothoracic or neurosurgery; I have always been fascinated with how much power the heart and surrounding organs have. The whole nervous system has also been very interesting to me and to study the brain, spinal cord, and all kinds of different nerves, would be the best thing to ever happen to me.
Becoming a neuro or cardiac surgeon I feel is a very challenging task, I also think that they are the riskiest types of surgeries, because they deal with major organs and nerves. “ although most people think of neurosurgery as brain surgery, it is a medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column, and peripheral nerves within all parts of the body.” (brightkite.com) Becoming a neurosurgeon is a demanding profession that requires tremendous personal and professional commitment. I've always wanted to see an actual brain tumor, like take it out the brain successfully, and hold it in my hand; do you know how accomplished I would feel. It is amazing how they work 60 to 80 hours a week. Being a neuro or cardiac surgeon, in the operating room, you could be in there anywhere from an hour to 10 hours maybe longer. Cardiac surgeons specialize in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. It was stated in solving the heart by Stephen Klaidman, “In the 1950s surgeons found ways to do quick repairs of congenital heart defects and faulty valves, and then the first heart-lung machine was invented, which made longer operations possible.” I think cardiac surgeons have evolved the most they have all kinds of new technology to detect different things in the organs. To achieve becoming any of these surgeons would be a great accomplishment, and I am definitely setting my goals high, but I believe in myself, and I know I have people in my corner to help me achieve my goals. I see my future very clear, and becoming a doctor is definitely in it.
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