Regarding Neurosurgery Residency

[NeuroTyler]

I'm a premedical student and, as is clearly implied in my user name, my intention is to enter the field of medicine in either neurosurgery or neurology due to my interest with the brain and the CNS. My primary goal is to become a neurosurgeon and I have some general questions about the grueling seven years that I would call myself a resident in said field:

1. Is the first year of residency simply general surgery?

2. Of what would a typical day "living the dream" consist?

3. About how much could I expect to be paid, strictly in residency, and would it be a low hourly wage or a salary based on a forty-hour work week?

4. I've heard that neurosurgeons in the making must nearly incessantly research. What literature would I be researching? Would I be reading solid-grounded, published research, or break-outs in the field and possible advances in the way physicians operate on the central nervous system?

I appreciate any legitimate answers and to those seeking to do otherwise, I plan on opening a "Free Lobotomy Clinic" to which you are openly invited if and when I finish my schooling and residency.

"It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday." -Dr. Rebecca Black, MD

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[deleted393595]

to those seeking to do otherwise, I plan on opening a "Free Lobotomy Clinic" to which you are openly invited if and when I finish my schooling and residency.

Ouch.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

I appreciate any legitimate answers and to those seeking to do otherwise, I plan on opening a "Free Lobotomy Clinic" to which you are openly invited if and when I finish my schooling and residency.

"It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday." -Dr. Rebecca Black, MD

If only I'd put that as clinical experience on my AMCAS app...

And btw, Rebecca Black's a nurse practitioner. Get it right.

 

[NickNaylor]

Step 1: get into medical school.

On interviews, be sure to tell them that you're interested only in neurosurgery and/or neurology.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

Step 1: get into medical school.

On interviews, be sure to tell them that you're interested only in neurosurgery and/or neurology.

Step 3: ?????
Step 4: Profit.

 

[CodeBlu]

OP was being serious I think.

Tyler, I'm not quite sure this is the best place to ask your question.
Maybe find a neurosurgeon to shadow or a neurologist. Talk to them. They're much better able to help you than any of us.

 

[NeuroTyler]

Step 1: get into medical school.

On interviews, be sure to tell them that you're interested only in neurosurgery and/or neurology.

I've been told to at very least pretend to be open to other fields of medicine when applying and interviewing to and with medical schools. I am actually open to other fields, I actually just changed my focus from radiology.

I realize medical school is the first step, but I want to know more about what comes after, so I can shape my experience to prepare for the next step. As a premed and medical student, one must always be a step ahead of his or her competition, especially if the targeted field is within the top five hardest residencies to land.

 

[NeuroTyler]

OP was being serious I think.

Tyler, I'm not quite sure this is the best place to ask your question.
Maybe find a neurosurgeon to shadow or a neurologist. Talk to them. They're much better able to help you than any of us.

Perhaps you're right. Sigh.....

 

[NickNaylor]

I've been told to at very least pretend to be open to other fields of medicine when applying and interviewing to and with medical schools. I am actually open to other fields, I actually just changed my focus from radiology.

I realize medical school is the first step, but I want to know more about what comes after, so I can shape my experience to prepare for the next step. As a premed and medical student, one must always be a step ahead of his or her competition, especially if the targeted field is within the top five hardest residencies to land.

The question you're asking is similar to a high school student asking what he/she can do to improve his/her chances of getting into medical school. Assuming you're in college, you should understand how pointless this question is. There's pretty much nothing you can do as a college student to improve your chances of getting into any particular residency. The most important things in your residency application are, at a minimum, 3 years down the road for you. The only thing that I can imagine that MIGHT - and that's a big MIGHT - help you at this point is getting solid research publications. Which, if you're as overly ambitious as you seem to be, is something you're probably trying to do anyways. But even those are likely to be of little help other than acting as additional fodder for your CV.

You should probably disassemble your machine gun and relax and worry about getting into medical school first.

 

[aSagacious]

I realize medical school is the first step, but I want to know more about what comes after, so I can shape my experience to prepare for the next step. As a premed and medical student, one must always be a step ahead of his or her competition, especially if the targeted field is within the top five hardest residencies to land.

Like what? It would be worth your time to at least investigate a handful of different professional settings available to a doctor (clinical, academic, hospital vs private practice, etc) before dismissing entire professions based on (most likely) something you've seen on TV or read about.

How about, to elaborate on Nick's advice, you stop by a few hospitals, clinics, and research labs before you confidently declare your future specialty? Fair enough?

 

[NeuroTyler]

I've worked in both private and hospital-owned practices. I'm interning with a group of surgical specialists right now and have two surgical sit-ins scheduled for the next two weeks. I'm not as ignorant as you'd like to believe, nor do I intend to express hostility. I simply posted this thread to hear a response from someone willing to give me information I was asking for, not to criticize me for wanting to know early. I realize there is nothing I can actually do, physically or intellectually, to prepare for a future so distant. Possessing such information, however, will motivate me to work harder in my undergraduate studies and will help me to become more acquainted with the processes and jargon associated with the field, which will serve invaluable in building relationships with physicians. I don't want to go in to the OR with a neurosurgeon ignorant of both surgical procedures and what the next step looks like. If you think I'm thinking too far ahead, that's really okay, but that isn't the information I was seeking.

Ambitious people thrive on dreaming, you must realize that I'm simply trying to satiate my curiosity and craving for progress, whether or not any is being made.

 

[NeuroTyler]

Trolls.

 

[aSagacious]

I realize there is nothing I can actually do, physically or intellectually, to prepare for a future so distant.

Inconsequential discourse is inconsequential.

 

[NickNaylor]

Trolls.

Nice finish.

 

[NeuroTyler]

So why discuss it with me? Why toil in expressing such opinions on something that, in your opinion, holds no relevance? My wishes to discuss such matters are simply that: my wishes.

So let me ask you a question, old sailor man: Why you be trollin'?

 

[NeuroTyler]

Ambitious people thrive on getting laid and money. I only suggest that you don't be so myopic in scope that you miss those two things in life.

Thank you, for grounding me.

Earth,

I am back, and I now realize what is important.

 

[NickNaylor]

So why discuss it with me? Why toil in expressing such opinions on something that, in your opinion, holds no relevance? My wishes to discuss such matters are simply that: my wishes.

So let me ask you a question, old sailor man: Why you be trollin'?

I'm not trolling. I'm trying to get your head out of your ass and realize that worrying about this stuff is a waste of time and a needless source of stress. It's absolutely unimportant and will serve you no good under any circumstance. If you're really interested in the topic, go look at the neurosurgery residents forum (better yet, post there) or use Google. It's not like this information isn't otherwise accessible to you. If you're not happy with the smartass responses, go find the information yourself.

 

[aSagacious]

So let me ask you a question, old sailor man: Why you be trollin'?

My hope is to convince you (and others) to control your urge to post these types of threads, so that we may keep the more relevant threads on the front page of the pre-allo forum.

Additionally, I think you may be misusing the word troll:
Troll- One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument.

My advice was quite serious and difficult to conceive as offensive.

 

[NickNaylor]

My hope is to convince you (and others) to control your urge to post these types of threads, so that we may keep the more relevant threads on the front page of the pre-allo forum.

Additionally, I think you may be misusing the word troll:
Troll- One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument.

My advice was quite serious and difficult to conceive as offensive.

You're too nice you future mod, you.

 

[NeuroTyler]

I think you should find some friends IRL dude.

And again, I thank you for your lesson in the real world. I now realize that because I posted a question, to which I wanted direct and reasonable answers, I have no friends. Instead, those who wish to berate and satirize my position are rollin' in the ***** and are constantly surrounded by their entourage.

Congratulations, we're all on a premedical forum. We all need a real life.

 

[Whatyousay]

Congratulations, we're all on a premedical forum. We all need a real life.

It's a Friday night and we're posting here... so yes.

 

[NeuroTyler]

it's a friday night and we're posting here... So yes.

win.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

It's a Friday night and we're posting here... so yes.

This convo is so much better than the bar.

 

[NickNaylor]

This convo is so much better than the bar.

Reasons:

1) I won't go deaf from crappy music.
2) No smoke to deal with.
3) No obnoxious drunk people.
4) No wasting money on overpriced beer.

 

[NeuroTyler]

My hope is to convince you (and others) to control your urge to post these types of threads, so that we may keep the more relevant threads on the front page of the pre-allo forum.

Additionally, I think you may be misusing the word troll:
Troll- One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument.

My advice was quite serious and difficult to conceive as offensive.

Hm... what topics are to be discussed on this forum, then? I honestly thought this was a legitimate concern regarding topics in the line of medicine, reasonable or not. I'm not offended by your responses, I'm simply curious why they were necessary. Because I found your responses unnecessary, I gave you the title of Troll, which, really, in my opinion, is an honor.

 

[NeuroTyler]

Reasons:

1) I won't go deaf from crappy music.
2) No smoke to deal with.
3) No obnoxious drunk people.
4) No wasting money on overpriced beer.

Concerning #3: there ARE obnoxious premeds, though.

 

[Whatyousay]

Hm... what topics are to be discussed on this forum, then? I honestly thought this was a legitimate concern regarding topics in the line of medicine, reasonable or not. I'm not offended by your responses, I'm simply curious why they were necessary. Because I found your responses unnecessary, I gave you the title of Troll, which, really, in my opinion, is an honor.

(1) The application process
(2) Things that you can do now that will help you during the application process
(3) Tips for choosing appropriate schools
(4) Shooting the ****
(5) General pre-med BS

 

[aSagacious]

Hm... what topics are to be discussed on this forum, then?

See:
hourly limits for residents
tips for adding your work activities
what to do after getting rejected everywhere
if there was anything you could change about your application cycle
how to find a research position

... just to name a few

 

[NeuroTyler]

(1) The application process
(2) Things that you can do now that will help you during the application process
(3) Tips for choosing appropriate schools
(4) Shooting the ****
(5) General pre-med BS

4 and perhaps 5 may count, then. Not originally, of course, but now. Excuse my ignorance pertaining to the appropriate thread types on this forum. Haha, I just came here to attain information that I couldn't find elsewhere (i.e. books, other premeds, the almighty google, etc.)

I think perhaps my tone has been improperly inferred. I'm expressing no hostility, nor am I in the least offended. I was actually trying to joke with the old sailor man. Sigh...webfail. Don't expect me not to defend my position. I know I'm ridiculously curious. I've accepted it as a personality trait. Don't hate.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

Really, dude. Take one.

 

[aSagacious]

I think perhaps my tone has been improperly inferred. I'm expressing no hostility, nor am I in the least offended. I was actually trying to joke with the old sailor man. Sigh...webfail. Don't expect me not to defend my position. I know I'm ridiculously curious. I've accepted it as a personality trait. Don't hate.

Alright, since you're a n00b we'll cut you some slack . Anyway, you might find this thread of particular interest: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=166874

 

[mohad]

Whenever people ask me what I'm doing, I tell them I'm pre-med and I'd like to get into med school. At that instant, they love to ask "What type of doctor do you want to be?" Do you know what my answer is? It's "I don't know." I've shadowed a few doctors here and there and I have some clinical experience. But that doesn't mean anything because I don't have the firsthand experience myself. Plus, i would be an arrogant prick to say "Oh, I want to do neurosurgery" "I want to do CV surgery" etc because I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN INTO MED SCHOOL. It would be a waste of my time to plan out what I want to do if my future is still uncertain. This isn't a matter of me being confident or not about my abilities to get in, but it is the sensible thing to do.
Protip, you may think you know what you want to do, but finish what is on your plate first. There is no point for you to worry about what doctor you want to be if you aren't in med school first.

I asked my nephew what he wanted to be today and he said a baker. He's 4. Do you think he will want to be a baker 10 years from now?

 

[NeuroTyler]

Thank you, old sailor man. That's all I was looking for. I'll just have to see if I can catch the neurosurgeon I'm working with when he's not busy: never.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

I asked my nephew what he wanted to be today and he said a baker. He's 4. Do you think he will want to be a baker 10 years from now?

When I was 4, I wanted to be a firetruck. True story.

 

[mohad]

When I was 4, I wanted to be a firetruck. True story.

I wanted to be a cloud. I was heartbroken when I found out the truth.

 

[NeuroTyler]

Whenever people ask me what I'm doing, I tell them I'm pre-med and I'd like to get into med school. At that instant, they love to ask "What type of doctor do you want to be?" Do you know what my answer is? It's "I don't know." I've shadowed a few doctors here and there and I have some clinical experience. But that doesn't mean anything because I don't have the firsthand experience myself. Plus, i would be an arrogant prick to say "Oh, I want to do neurosurgery" "I want to do CV surgery" etc because I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN INTO MED SCHOOL. It would be a waste of my time to plan out what I want to do if my future is still uncertain. This isn't a matter of me being confident or not about my abilities to get in, but it is the sensible thing to do.
Protip, you may think you know what you want to do, but finish what is on your plate first. There is no point for you to worry about what doctor you want to be if you aren't in med school first.

I asked my nephew what he wanted to be today and he said a baker. He's 4. Do you think he will want to be a baker 10 years from now?

I doubt he will want to be a baker when he's 14. He's also not getting ready to take admissions tests for baking school and forming his current curricula to pre-bakery standards. Why is having a particular specialty in mind arrogant? I didn't say anything about the fact that I was going to be one, simply that my interest is directed in that way. Man, I think you might be throwing punches you don't need to be.

 

[NickNaylor]

When I was 4, I wanted to be a firetruck. True story.

To preserve any sense of honor that I have remaining I'm not going to include the image directly, but this just seemed so relevant: http://photoface.webs.com/photos/Random-Photos/I-can-count-to-potato.jpg

 

[aSagacious]

To preserve any sense of honor that I have remaining I'm not going to include the image directly, but this just seemed so relevant: http://photoface.webs.com/photos/Random-Photos/I-can-count-to-potato.jpg

 

[NeuroTyler]

My quote expresses my childhood ambitions. Doback is a wise man.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

To preserve any sense of honor that I have remaining I'm not going to include the image directly, but this just seemed so relevant: http://photoface.webs.com/photos/Random-Photos/I-can-count-to-potato.jpg

Nick, don't joke. I still do. It's just, well, someone stomped on my dreams, and I never fully recovered. Now look how far I've come...

 

[NeuroTyler]

I'm a premedical student and, as is clearly implied in my user name, my intention is to enter the field of medicine in either neurosurgery or neurology due to my interest with the brain and the CNS. My primary goal is to become a neurosurgeon and I have some general questions about the grueling seven years that I would call myself a resident in said field:

1. Is the first year of residency simply general surgery?

2. Of what would a typical day "living the dream" consist?

3. About how much could I expect to be paid, strictly in residency, and would it be a low hourly wage or a salary based on a forty-hour work week?

4. I've heard that neurosurgeons in the making must nearly incessantly research. What literature would I be researching? Would I be reading solid-grounded, published research, or break-outs in the field and possible advances in the way physicians operate on the central nervous system?

I appreciate any legitimate answers and to those seeking to do otherwise, I plan on opening a "Free Lobotomy Clinic" to which you are openly invited if and when I finish my schooling and residency.

I realize this holds no relevance to my current studies and even a perfect answer would put me no closer to neurosurgery residency. I am simply curious and wish to know. Thanks.

"It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday." -Dr. Rebecca Black, MD

 

[mohad]

I doubt he will want to be a baker when he's 14. He's also not getting ready to take admissions tests for baking school and forming his current curricula to pre-bakery standards. Why is having a particular specialty in mind arrogant? I didn't say anything about the fact that I was going to be one, simply that my interest is directed in that way. Man, I think you might be throwing punches you don't need to be.

Alright, my bad for being hostile. I was just trying to say that it's dumb to think about eating dessert when you haven't finished eating dinner.

 

[45408]

I've been told to at very least pretend to be open to other fields of medicine when applying and interviewing to and with medical schools. I am actually open to other fields, I actually just changed my focus from radiology.

I realize medical school is the first step, but I want to know more about what comes after, so I can shape my experience to prepare for the next step. As a premed and medical student, one must always be a step ahead of his or her competition, especially if the targeted field is within the top five hardest residencies to land.

If it looks like a duck, and it quacks like a troll...

 

[NeuroTyler]

Alright, my bad for being hostile. I was just trying to say that it's dumb to think about eating dessert when you haven't finished eating dinner.

But I love dessert. I love dreaming, my friend. 'Tis all good.

 

[NeuroTyler]

If it looks like a duck, and it quacks like a troll...

I am thoroughly confused.

 

[aSagacious]

Repost? http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=835550

 

[pfaction]

Ambitious people thrive on getting laid and money. I only suggest that you don't be so myopic in scope that you miss those two things in life.

I literally couldn't give a flying F about getting laid and money. If I cared about money, I'd stick with my current profession and move to Alaska as a retail pharmacist to make my 100k.

I, for one, appreciate the TC's ambition / gunning to do neurosurgery. I have always viewed that aiming for the top top spot and falling means you'll still end up at the top. HAY GUYS I WANT TO BE A PCP! Not slamming PCPs, but seriously? at some of you. thumbdown

 

[mohad]

loool everyone is gonna migrate to this thread now.

 

[NickNaylor]

Why did you post exactly the same thread 20-30 minutes later? Did you expect more srs answers this time?

 

[StudyShy]

Not allowed to repost, man. If you're a real person, stay clear of SDN for a while and come back.