Specializing After Medical School

[adriano710]

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So obviously I know you get into medical school, do 4 years, but after this what happens? Do you start working and getting paid - in what field? If you decide you specialize how does this come about? Any additional information is welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Fedxup]

During your 4th you apply to residencies, which can last 3 or more years depending on the specialty. You apply to any specialty you want (given you have the COMLEX or USMLE scores for it). You start getting paid in residency but obviously it is not full pay as a physician would get since you are still training to be one.

 

[AlteredScale]

So obviously I know you get into medical school, do 4 years, but after this what happens? Do you start working and getting paid - in what field? If you decide you specialize how does this come about? Any additional information is welcome.

Thanks!

You apply for residency (your specialty) which is post-graduate training. Residencies vary from family medicine, surgery, radiology, pathology, etc. During residency you will get paid decently (30-60,000 annually I believe) but your hours will be quite intense and you will be taking board examinations within your specialty. Once you complete training you then have the option of completing a subspecialty/fellowship (you specialize in internal medicine then sub specialize in endocrinology) but if you decide not to then you are considered an attending staff physician and your pay will increase dramatically. Hope this is enough!


I'm sure some residents/interns/attending physicians can chime in on this and have a better description!