Steps to becoming a cardiac surgeon.

[NeonStitches]

I think I have this down, but I just want to make sure. Please don't be harsh with me, as I am still gathering information due to what little research I have completed. I'm still interested in learning all I can, so big bits of help would be greatly appreciated. With that said, I'll begin my topic.
I want to become a cardiac surgeon. I've taken a strong interest in the last few years in the medicine field, but just recently I have decided to pursue the path of cardiovascular surgery. I have purchased Gray's Anatomy and a new textbook called Anatomy and Physiology: From Science to Life, which I have avidly begun reading. I love learning about anatomy in general, but I take an extraordinary interest in the heart and all that involves it.
I'm 15 and would graduate in 2014 at 18, but I'm going to talk to my counselor about testing out of my senior classes to graduate during the spring of this year. I've already started trigonometry, but I'm limited without a textbook to follow. At any rate, if I were to graduate early, I have not a clue of what college or medical school I would attend. Furthermore, I don't know the precise steps needed to become a cardiac surgeon. From the sparse reading I have done online, I read that it requires "four years of college and another four years of medical school, aspiring Cardiac Surgeons spend five years in a general surgery residency and two or three more in a specialized cardio or cardiothoracic fellowship." Is this right or am I missing something? Is there anything else that might help me learn more?

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[Neurocentric]

I think I have this down, but I just want to make sure. Please don't be harsh with me, as I am still gathering information due to what little research I have completed. I'm still interested in learning all I can, so big bits of help would be greatly appreciated. With that said, I'll begin my topic.
I want to become a cardiac surgeon. I've taken a strong interest in the last few years in the medicine field, but just recently I have decided to pursue the path of cardiovascular surgery. I have purchased Gray's Anatomy and a new textbook called Anatomy and Physiology: From Science to Life, which I have avidly begun reading. I love learning about anatomy in general, but I take an extraordinary interest in the heart and all that involves it.
I'm 15 and would graduate in 2014 at 18, but I'm going to talk to my counselor about testing out of my senior classes to graduate during the spring of this year. I've already started trigonometry, but I'm limited without a textbook to follow. At any rate, if I were to graduate early, I have not a clue of what college or medical school I would attend. Furthermore, I don't know the precise steps needed to become a cardiac surgeon. From the sparse reading I have done online, I read that it requires "four years of college and another four years of medical school, aspiring Cardiac Surgeons spend five years in a general surgery residency and two or three more in a specialized cardio or cardiothoracic fellowship." Is this right or am I missing something?

Hey there

You have the basic steps right as far as what it would take to become a CT surgeon, but I think you're going way too fast. You're still in high school. It's great to have aspirations, and by all means, shoot for the stars, but you haven't even begun to scrape the surface of being pre-med.

When you go to college, you'll pick a major of your choosing and then go ahead and do the pre-med courses. You'll also need to volunteer at a hospital and shadow doctors. This is key. You don't know how interested you are in medicine until you're down and dirty in a hospital setting. Also, the books you purchased, while cool, won't help you much at this stage in the game.

You're only 15. Take it slow, and focus on doing well in your classes now. If you can test out and graduate early, that's awesome. Start looking at colleges and see what piques your interest. Do they have a major you want? Do they have activities you like? Don't even think about applying to medical school yet. And keep that CT surgeon goal in mind, but don't set yourself on it just yet - you got a long way to go. Good luck

 

[NeonStitches]

Hey there

You have the basic steps right as far as what it would take to become a CT surgeon, but I think you're going way too fast. You're still in high school. It's great to have aspirations, and by all means, shoot for the stars, but you haven't even begun to scrape the surface of being pre-med.

When you go to college, you'll pick a major of your choosing and then go ahead and do the pre-med courses. You'll also need to volunteer at a hospital and shadow doctors. This is key. You don't know how interested you are in medicine until you're down and dirty in a hospital setting. Also, the books you purchased, while cool, won't help you much at this stage in the game.

You're only 15. Take it slow, and focus on doing well in your classes now. If you can test out and graduate early, that's awesome. Start looking at colleges and see what piques your interest. Do they have a major you want? Do they have activities you like? Don't even think about applying to medical school yet. And keep that CT surgeon goal in mind, but don't set yourself on it just yet - you got a long way to go. Good luck

Thanks for the reply, Neurocentric. I'll keep in mind all you said. However, what do you mean by "also, the books you purchased, while cool, won't help you much at this stage in the game"?

 

[Neurocentric]

Thanks for the reply, Neurocentric. I'll keep in mind all you said. However, what do you mean by "also, the books you purchased, while cool, won't help you much at this stage in the game"?

Because you're only in high school. The anatomy and physiology book will probably help you in college, but Gray's Anatomy is extremely advanced and best saved for medical school, should you use it at all. It's like studying for a class you haven't taken yet; no need to jump the gun when you're not even close to using those books.

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[NeonStitches]

I was able to keep up with it by just looking up anything unknown online. It's a lot to gather, but spread out, reading only a little bit at random intervals, makes it easier. Do you know anything that would be suitable for my level? I don't completely disregard my age, but I catch on much quicker than others of my age.

 

[Neurocentric]

I was able to keep up with it by just looking up anything unknown online. It's a lot to gather, but spread out, reading only a little bit at random intervals, makes it easier. Do you know anything that would be suitable for my level? I don't completely disregard my age, but I catch on much quicker than others of my age.

I would disregard any book that will "teach" you anything. Instead, read books that doctors have written. My favorites are books by Dr. Atul Gawande and Dr. Katrina Firlik (I have a quote from her book in my signature). Don't worry about any anatomy book or anything else like that till you are taking the necessary classes. By then, you'll be reading books cover to cover for sure, lol.

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[NeonStitches]

Hmm, what's the difference between books that "teach" me something and books written by doctors? They are both for education purposes.... I'm sorry, I'm not trying to raise an argument, but I don't understand.

 

[Neurocentric]

Hmm, what's the difference between books that "teach" me something and books written by doctors? They are both for education purposes.... I'm sorry, I'm not trying to raise an argument, but I don't understand.

What I mean is don't read books that you would normally read in a lecture/classroom setting. The books written by physicians are not books that teach, but rather are non-fictional anecdotes and stories. The books you have purchased are books a student would purchase to gain knowledge in the class they are taking.

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[NeonStitches]

I see now. Sorry for the misunderstanding and thank you for all the help, Neurocentric. Good night!

 

[Neurocentric]

I see now. Sorry for the misunderstanding and thank you for all the help, Neurocentric. Good night!

Not a problem

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[eagle34]

While buying and looking through anatomy and physiology books may seem like a good idea to get into the game of medicine, it is not really helpful at this stage. The most important thing to do right now is to do well in high school, go to college and do well in college. While I have no doubts that at this point you want to be a cardiac surgeon (and may still want to do it when you're in medical school), give yourself a chance to enjoy all that medicine can offer; anyways, this is not really important until you're in medical school, which is far away for you.
I agree that reading books written by MDs is a good idea at this point - a good one about cardiac surgery is called "Walk on Water" by Michael Ruhlman. A truly inspiring book about pediatric cardiac surgery.
In terms of becoming a cardiac surgeon, these are the steps: go to college, go to 4-year medical school, and then either do a residency in general surgery (usually 5 years) and then fellowship in cardiac surgery (usually 2 years) or now cardiac surgery residencies are starting up as well (usually 6 years).
Anyways, the important thing right now is for you to focus on your work in high school and have fun!

 

[NeonStitches]

While buying and looking through anatomy and physiology books may seem like a good idea to get into the game of medicine, it is not really helpful at this stage. The most important thing to do right now is to do well in high school, go to college and do well in college. While I have no doubts that at this point you want to be a cardiac surgeon (and may still want to do it when you're in medical school), give yourself a chance to enjoy all that medicine can offer; anyways, this is not really important until you're in medical school, which is far away for you.
I agree that reading books written by MDs is a good idea at this point - a good one about cardiac surgery is called "Walk on Water" by Michael Ruhlman. A truly inspiring book about pediatric cardiac surgery.
In terms of becoming a cardiac surgeon, these are the steps: go to college, go to 4-year medical school, and then either do a residency in general surgery (usually 5 years) and then fellowship in cardiac surgery (usually 2 years) or now cardiac surgery residencies are starting up as well (usually 6 years).
Anyways, the important thing right now is for you to focus on your work in high school and have fun!

Thanks for the reply, eagle34. I'll check out Walk on Water.

 

[Law2Doc]

Basically agree with what the others have said, but also would caution you to read up on other professions, too. The folks who enjoy medicine the most did their due diligence and considered multiple fields over the years, and thus were able to say with confidence that medicine was the best path for them. The folks with the most angst are the ones who get a few years into med school and only then start asking themselves whether this is something they want to do the rest of their lives. Also wouldn't focus in on picking a subspecialty until well into med school. Things change, fields change, you will change. Cardiothoracic surgery may sound cool to a high school student, when your only real exposure is the dramatizations you see on TV, but showing up to the hospital at 5 am after not getting out of there the night before until midnight can grind on you after a while. Surgeons are a special breed and their definition of a work -home balance is very different than a lot of people.

Not to mention that about 90% of folks who show up to college as premeds don't actually ultimately apply to med school anyhow, either because they change their minds, do poorly in the sciences, or whatever.

 

[sirenomelia]

I'd recommend to pass on the books and just spend time in a hospital +/- MD's office and see if you like it. Healthcare daily life is different the the glamorfied drama on TV. Volunteer work in a medical setting is a crucial pillar in the medical school process for that reason so that people trying to come in know what they're getting into and have the right attitude.

 

[vin5cent0]

No offense OP, but you're 15. Stop thinking about being a cardiac surgeon because in another 15 years, you still won't be one. How's that for perspective? It's all grand to want to get ahead, but you're putting the cart before the horse. Do well in high school, carry that throughout college, get into medical school. At that point, start thinking about becoming a cardiac surgeon, if you even still want to do that.

 

[Neurocentric]

No offense OP, but you're 15. Stop thinking about being a cardiac surgeon because in another 15 years, you still won't be one. How's that for perspective? It's all grand to want to get ahead, but you're putting the cart before the horse. Do well in high school, carry that throughout college, get into medical school. At that point, start thinking about becoming a cardiac surgeon, if you even still want to do that.

Ya know, there's a difference between being extremely helpful and being extremely rude. You're the latter. We've already discussed the age and the fact that he's over thinking his goals, but seriously, this kind of attitude is not helpful. I think you just wanted to reply just so you could be a d!ck and not because you had anything useful or helpful to say.

 

[vin5cent0]

Oh please, that was rude? He's 15 years old and he's wondering what he needs to do to get into a profession that

A) isn't attainable by even 30 years old (i.e - twice his age)

and

B) everyone wants to be at some point in their life.

If me telling him to focus on the here and now is 'extremely rude', then you and whoever else thinks that seriously needs to grow some thick skin.

 

[Neurocentric]

Oh please, that was rude? He's 15 years old and he's wondering what he needs to do to get into a profession that

A) isn't attainable by even 30 years old (i.e - twice his age)

and

B) everyone wants to be at some point in their life.

If me telling him to focus on the here and now is 'extremely rude', then you and whoever else thinks that seriously needs to grow some thick skin.

Now see, I never said you were wrong, but it was the tone that you were using. Being blunt when people have already said what you did - albeit nicer - doesn't really do anything. And please, my skin is thick enough, but to just be blunt like that when the kid got his answer days ago just makes no sense to me. It just seemed out of nowhere, considering everyone else said their peace and it didn't come off as being an *****.

 

[Ontology]

^Cry me a river. Medicine is tough, life is tougher. Deal with it.

 

[Neurocentric]

^Cry me a river. Medicine is tough, life is tougher. Deal with it.

Whatever. I knew my response wouldn't be favored well. I don't really care. If you do, that's fine.

 

[vin5cent0]

Now see, I never said you were wrong, but it was the tone that you were using. Being blunt when people have already said what you did - albeit nicer - doesn't really do anything. And please, my skin is thick enough, but to just be blunt like that when the kid got his answer days ago just makes no sense to me. It just seemed out of nowhere, considering everyone else said their peace and it didn't come off as being an *****.

Like I said, grow some thick skin, clearly you have none. Medicine is going to be a real bitch slap in the face when the first resident or attending on your rounds gets on your case for something. Are you going to tell them to be nicer, too?

 

[Neurocentric]

Like I said, grow some thick skin, clearly you have none. Medicine is going to be a real bitch slap in the face when the first resident or attending on your rounds gets on your case for something. Are you going to tell them to be nicer, too?

Here's the difference. I'm 26. When I'm a resident, I'll be in my 30s. This kid is 15.. I worry more about his thick skin - or lackthereof - than mine.

Are you done bitching because I had a difference of opinion? I mean, really. This thread was over four posts ago. Why are we still arguing over something that's moot?

 

[sirenomelia]

No offense OP, but you're 15. Stop thinking about being a cardiac surgeon because in another 15 years, you still won't be one. How's that for perspective? It's all grand to want to get ahead, but you're putting the cart before the horse. Do well in high school, carry that throughout college, get into medical school. At that point, start thinking about becoming a cardiac surgeon, if you even still want to do that.

Agree with Neurocentric here. Here's this motivated kid thinking about his future and planning for a meaningful productive life contributing to society. I wish there were more out there like him and less "typical kid" ignorant defiant jackasses fapping in their bedroom to Beyonce and playing xbox 12 hours a day.

 

[eagle34]

That's for sure. The kid needs to dream big, we need more of those in medical school. Medical students aren't born with thick skin, they get it during third year and beyond. Plus, he can learn by himself what being a CT surgeon really means when he's in medical school. Everyone outside of medicine usually thinks that CT surgery is the most glamorous profession out there.
Dream big, OP! Let that be your motivating factor for doing well in high school and college!

Agree with Neurocentric here. Here's this motivated kid thinking about his future and planning for a meaningful productive life contributing to society. I wish there were more out there like him and less "typical kid" ignorant defiant jackasses fapping in their bedroom to Beyonce and playing xbox 12 hours a day.

 

[vin5cent0]

In my 7th grade class, we all had to do a presentation on what we wanted to do when we were older. Everyone was a doctor, lawyer, air force pilot.. some kid even put down "nuclear physicist". Everyone dreams big when they're younger, and of course there's nothing wrong with that, but there needs to be a sense of realism involved as well. At 15, there's little sense in worrying about becoming a cardiac surgeon. You have a hundred hurdles to jump before that. Think about THOSE. They are all that matter at this point. Those are the same hurdles that no one that I know of from my class jumped to become a nuclear physicist. That's all the point I'm trying to make.

 

[Neurocentric]

In my 7th grade class, we all had to do a presentation on what we wanted to do when we were older. Everyone was a doctor, lawyer, air force pilot.. some kid even put down "nuclear physicist". Everyone dreams big when they're younger, and of course there's nothing wrong with that, but there needs to be a sense of realism involved as well. At 15, there's little sense in worrying about becoming a cardiac surgeon. You have a hundred hurdles to jump before that. Think about THOSE. They are all that matter at this point. Those are the same hurdles that no one that I know of from my class jumped to become a nuclear physicist. That's all the point I'm trying to make.

And it's a good point, but to be honest, when it had been said by a few other posters, and then you come in and reiterate in a relatively harsh way, it just rubbed me the wrong way. The kid's got dreams. And if he's like most high schoolers, he'll forget those dreams by senior year.

Look dude, I got no bad blood with ya, and I'm sorry for going off the handle. I'd just rather be realistic, but not condescending, and you just choose to be blunt. We all have our ways.

And I seriously wonder if that classmate of yours ended up being a nuclear physicist.