What do you do for a living? 
I’m a neurosurgeon.
How would you describe what you do?
Neurosurgery is a specialty that involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and their supporting and surrounding structures.
What does your work entail as a neurosurgeon?
Three days a week I operate on the brain, the spine, or peripheral nerves. Two days a week I’m in the office seeing patients. I also teach medical students and I give lectures to residents.
How did you get started?
I became interested in medicine because I had a brain tumor when I was nine months old, so I was around a lot of doctors. I also watched the Donna Reed Show where Donna Reed’s husband was a pediatrician and I thought he had a nice life. And that’s the truth.
What do you like about what you do?
I help a lot of people. They come back to me and they say, “Thank you for helping me. I feel much better.” “Thank you for helping me. My pain is gone.” “Thank you for taking out my brain tumor.”
[The misconception is]That you have to be really smart to be a brain surgeon. I know a lot of people who are not smart, who are just hard workers and got through their residency. So, I think the joke, Well, hey, it’s not brain surgery isn’t necessarily accurate. I think it’s something that takes years to learn and it takes a lot of studying…But I don’t think that you have to be really smart.
I have four partners in my group who get along great. I can make my own schedule. I don’t have to work as hard if I don’t want to. One of my partners is much younger and has four younger kids, and he’s able to work less. We’re able to, in a sense, set our own schedules.
What do you dislike?
I dislike dealing with insurance companies who either deny payment for legitimate claims or delay payment for legitimate claims. In Pennsylvania they pay less for certain procedures than the same Blue Cross/Blue Shield company would pay for another city three hours away, like Cleveland or Columbus, which are comparable sized cities to Pittsburgh. The pay is between 50% and 100% higher in Columbus or Cleveland than it is in Pittsburgh. And that’s because Blue Cross/Blue Shield has the overwhelming majority of contracts in Pennsylvania, or at least in Western Pennsylvania, whereas in Ohio, there are lots of competing insurance companies.
How do you make money or how are you compensated?
I get paid for surgery. Of course, different people’s insurance pay different amounts. Medical assistance pays less. Medicare pays a little bit more. Private commercial insurance like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Health America, United, Aetna pays a little bit more, but pretty much everything is based on Medicare.
I would recommend neurosurgery. Nationally there is a big shortage of neurosurgeons now and there will continue to be a shortage of neurosurgeons for at least the next 20 years. The number of training programs has not increased in the last 15 years and more and more neurosurgeons are retiring earlier because of high medical malpractice costs and because of the stress of the profession. So, the number of neurosurgeons now, in the year 2007, is the same as the number of neurosurgeons in 1991, yet the population of the United States has obviously grown by a third since 1991. So, neurosurgeons are busier than ever…
One insurance company will be 116% of Medicare, another insurance company will be 111% of Medicare, so everything is a multiplier of Medicare. So, it makes you a little uncomfortable that the federal government, which sets Medicare reimbursement rates, really is setting the reimbursement rates for everybody else.
How much does a neurosurgeon make?
It depends. Neurosurgeon salary can be anywhere from $400,000 to over a million. It’s really a function of how hard you work and how your practice is set up.
How much money do you make as a neurosurgeon?
About $600,000.
What education or skills are needed to become a neurosurgeon?
Four years of medical school, a year of internship, and then neurosurgical residency is an additional six years. So, my training was seven years after medical school.
What is most challenging about what you do?
Micro-brain surgery done under the microscope for aneurysms or certain deep tumors. Uses of computers for a lot of surgery is standard now, so I think using a computer for brain surgery and using a microscope for brain surgery are the most challenging aspects of the job.
What is most rewarding?
Personally, I think just having the patients come back and say, Thank you for helping me. I have a wall full of thank you notes. A lot of people thank me, but when somebody actually sends me a thank you card, I put it up on my wall. And after 20 years, my wall is pretty much full with thank you cards.
What advice would you offer someone considering this career?
The entry into medical school is pretty much now the same as it was 20 years ago. You need about a 3.6 GPA and you need to have reasonably good medical MCATs, Medical College Admission Test scores. And then once you get into medical school, then you can decide on any medical or surgical specialty. And you rotate through the different specialties and you see what you like or which professor inspires you. But you have to want to work hard because residency is hard, but even when you go into practice, a normal work day is 10 to 12 hours a day, and there’s always some night and weekend call. I have four partners, so I’m on call every fifth night and every fifth weekend, which doesn’t mean I operate at all those times. It means I have to handle phone calls and emergencies. So, a lot of hard work and good grades in college and to get into medical school.
How much time off do you get/take?
Well, we have requirements for continuing medical education. So, we have to go to approximately two meetings a year and those are usually in nice places. I’m going to San Diego in three weeks. I just came back from Washington D.C. in the spring. So, you get sort of a chance to go on a nice vacation to a nice place for a meeting. And then usually the amount of time you take off, other than the meetings, is about four weeks a year.
What is a common misconception people have about what you do?
That you have to be really smart to be a brain surgeon. I know a lot of people who are not smart, who are just hard workers and got through their residency. So, I think the joke, “Well, hey, it’s not brain surgery” is an understatement. I think it’s something that takes a lot of years to learn and it takes a lot of studying, and you have to keep up with your field, you know, read two or three journals a month, take your courses, go to the meetings go to continuing medical education things. But I don’t really think that you have to be really smart. I mean, I know a lot really smart neurosurgeons but I also know a lot of neurosurgeons who are not real smart. I mean they’re not geniuses.
What are your goals/dreams for the future?
I’d like to, at some point, stop operating and just teach residents full-time. I’d like to be able to do more laboratory research, which is hard to do unless you’re doing it full-time. I did laboratory research for a year and a half during my residency and if you’re doing it full-time, you can do it. But to do research in a laboratory when you’re actually practicing neurosurgery is essentially impossible. So, I’d like to be able to teach residents full-time because I think that’s very satisfying and do some clinical research.
What else would you like people to know about what you do?
I would recommend neurosurgery. Nationally there is a big shortage of neurosurgeons now and there will continue to be a shortage of neurosurgeons for at least the next 20 years. The number of training programs has not increased in the last 15 years and more and more neurosurgeons are retiring earlier because of high medical malpractice costs and because of the stress of the profession. It’s a stressful profession. So, you have 98 residency programs graduating 136 residents a year and there are about 150 neurosurgeons leaving practice each year because of health or retirement or what-have-you. So, the number of neurosurgeons now, in the year 2007, is the same as the number of neurosurgeons in 1991, yet the population of the United States has obviously grown by a third since 1991. So, neurosurgeons are busier than ever because the population is growing and the number of neurosurgeons has remained just about the same as it was almost 15 years ago.
I,m 14 years old and i am inspired to be a neurosurgeon because if can afford a Bently and help people at the same time i would be in heaven
This article was absolutely amazing! I am very interested in the brain. Just think how marvelous it is that a simple, slimy organ can be so complex! The brain is basically you. It defines who you are. Without it, you simply cannot live. The brain is like the boss of your body. It controls all of your normal bodily functions and helps maintain homeostasis! How does such an organ control everything that happens in your entire body!?!? It’s so amazing and extremely mind-boggling! If you study the brain in depth, you’ll see how complex the process is for a simple emotion to occur. We don’t think about it very often, but we should be thankful for brains! I encourage everyone to be neurosurgeons so that we all may contribute to the society and save lives.
Thnx Doc 4 ur inspirng and fundamental article.i hv always wntd 2 b a surgeon snc l was 14 yrs old but l wasn’t sure wch knd of surgeon l wntd 2 b,bt ur article gav me the choice.NW l wnt 2 b a proud NEUROSURGEON!!!
This is truly inspiring. For the past two years I’ve really wanted to become a neurologist. I’m fifteen and I work at a dental office. As a receptionist I know the basics of what goes down, from the procedure codes, insurance companies to referring a patient out. Lately I’ve started watching procedures and assisting the dentist. Im really fascinated with neurology, I’ve read all the procedure codes and sometimes even look them up., I’m hoping one day I’ll have a career in medical, dentistry or even as a neurologist 🙂
I am 15 years old and this article has truly been inspirational. I have always loved anything and everything related to the medical field since I was in fifth grade. We did a lamb lung/heart dissection, which made me even more interested in medicine. This past year I took double science classes and we did a pig dissection. I am now set on what I want to be and that is a neurosurgeon. Everyone around me keeps telling me I can always change my mind but I am a pretty headstrong person and I want to help people. I love watching “Greys Anatomy” and seeing all the neurosurgeries they do. I am really looking forward to going through medical school and all of the experiences involved. This article was very helpful, but I have one question. What school would be best to attend medical school at? I know that some schools like Johns Hopkins are more specialized in more specific medical jobs, but does that mean that non-private schools aren’t as good?
😉 I know watt I wanna be
I’m 14 and I’ve always wanted to be a neurosurgeon, but what really made me want to is that my eighth grade english teacher (who I love), had surgeon on her spine inserting 2 metal screws and she went on and on about how much she loved the surgeon and what he did and did for her.
I am 10 years old, and I’ve always been interested in the human body. You know, the brain and other organs. The job that caught me the most was Neurosurgeons. See, I have always liked helping people. And I thought what better way to help them than, helping them with their body. The part they have most trouble with is either thier brain or heart. And those are very important organs. What can you do without them, you know? Well, this is what I plan to be when I grow up…
Hi, my name is Hosea Shikanda, I live in Kenya and i am starting my Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery in Egerton University this month, i’ve always wanted 2 be a neuro-surgeon since i dnt knw,”time immemorial”. This information has been an eye-opener 2 me, what are the best places in Africa that i could pursue Neurosurgery? thanks a lot!
I want to be a neurosurgeon because I have a huge interest in the brain, and helping people. Reading this interview interested me so much more. Iv wanted to be a neurosurgeon as long as I could remember, but now iv wanted to be a neurosurgeon more than ever, thank you so much.
Hi I’m 13 and my dad was recently in a bad accident and is now paralyzed from the neck down and I’m really interested in the neurosurgery practice…..
I have one question for neurosurgery doctors. I heard one doctor said that life expectancy is short if you work like heart surgeon and brain surgery because is the job is Stressful. Is it True????????????????
thank you
Hello,
I am 13 years old and I have started looking more precisely at careers that I am interested in and I have found that neurosurgery has caught my attention. I have been looking around the web and researching the topic. I found this interview and was inspired even more after reading all of the comments other children my age have wrote. I have been looking at collages and I have not been able to find the top schools so if anyone does know, can further provide information about neurology or a website w/ info please email me at [email protected]
Thanks,
Taytumn Ridgway
i have always wanted to be a neurosurgeon ever since i was a little girl. i didnt want to be a fairy princess but a neurosurgeon. and hopefully i will be able to join johns hoppkinns after i am finished with school 🙂 . oh and i am starting a really neat program ant henry ford early college its something you have to do testing for bu if you join you will have 2 years of college already done for you and highschool so its realy awsome! but the best part is you get to work in the hospital from a freshman to senior and you even get your own lab coat! you guys should really check it out sign up if you are going to be a freshman next year!!!!! 🙂
i have always wanted to be a neurosurgeon ever since i was a little gir l. i didnt want to be a fairy princess but a neurosurgeon. and hopefully i will be able to join johns hoppkinns after i am finished with school 🙂
I’m 17 and i really want to become neurosurgeons. first i was thinking becoming a cardiovascular surgeon but i after i read the interview i really become interest on brain surgeon. the first person who inspired to me to become neurosurgeons was Ben Carson. Dr.Carson was the first person who separated a pair of Siamese twins. The reason i want become neurosurgeons is cuz i want save people’s life’s. i don’t wann become neurosurgeons for money it doesn’t matter how much they paid. “Save innocent lifes” To become neurosurgeons it takes 15 years but it doesn’t matter about the years im still going follow my dream. i know GOD GOD GOD will help me to accomplished my goals.
I’m 12 and well i’m not sure if i want to be a neurosurgeon because of one thing. I really want to know if neurosurgeons work with Asperger’s Syndrome because I have it. To be a neurosurgeon you also have to be REALLY smart and have to work really hard.
Great website Job Shadow, Keep it up!!!!!!!!
Today was my interview for a residency seat in neurosurgery and I got selected (at Univ of Health Sciences, Lahore). This interview still had new things for me.
I’m 18 and currently studying in South Africa. I have wanted to specialize in neurosurgery for as long as I can remember and appreciate current surgeons who advertise their jobs as you do. Thank you for your committal attitude!
Regards
Hey i am 12 and i would love to be a neurosurgeon
Hey I’m 12 and I really want to be surgeon and I’m trying to decide between a neurosurgeon and cardiosurgeon. I watch Greys anatamy and that has inspired me thanks for the info
I’m 13 years old and I wanted to go into pharmacy for a little while and the I didn’t want to and it has been a few years and now I would love to go Into the medical field and just help people and this page makes me want to so much more
Looking over these comments, it’s very inspiring to see younger kids, with a passion, wanting to be neurologists/neurosurgeons. I myself want to be a neurological surgeon because my brother died of an illness that disrupts spinal and brain function. The research part sounds very interesting to me as well and something that I would do eventually down the road.
Hi, I am about a year away from going to college and I want to persue the career of becoming a Neurosurgeon. I had a few questions that has many many different answer to it.
1. How many years am I going to be in school? What is the most accurate range of it?
2. What is the pay going to be like? I mean doctors work their butts off.
3. last but not least, what do I have to do to become a Neurosurgeon?
What is the process?
What kinds of grades would I need?
What kind of extra-carricular activities would I have to do?
If anybody can help me I would be really greatful. I have wanted to do this ever since I was 7 and I would actually like to go for it and not back out! =)
Hi!
I am 17 years old and I will be a senior this year. I am Haitian. I speak creole and French. I really like the intereview and the advices you gave. I wanted to be a general suregon but now i realize that i want to be specialize in only one part of the human body so I choose neurosurgery. I have good grades but I wasn’t really great in science a the beginning of my junior year. I had an c in
science. So i kept working harder, for the second semester i had b and finally for the 3rd and 4th semester i had an a. So I ended the class with a b which is awesome but not the best for my aunt with who I live. My counselor said that I can take AP classes because I did what was required to take them even though I’ve been here in the U.S for 1year only. I would like to know if you had taken AP chemistry in high school? I planned to take this class and health science. Also, I want you to give me more advices about this profession. My aunt told me that it is impossible for me to work while I am in high school because it can affect my grades. Do you think it’s true? And I already planned to work while i am in college. Do you think it’s a good idea?
Hi!
I’m 19 and I’m from Poland. This interview is cool but you guys are the best! So many young people want to help people, to be a doctor. I wish you all the best and remember – hard work pays! 🙂 Don’t give up!
Hi,my name is Yanni. I am 11 years old and I’ve been wanting to become a neurosergon. All my classmates say it is a dumb job, but i think it is a phenomenal job. You get to save people’s lives. One question though. Can you please tell me when I should be hitting the books. Imean at what age should I be studying about the brain, spinal cord and neck? Please help me.
Hi i’m 13 and I’ve been thinking about being a neurosurgeon for about a year and a few months, but didn’t know much about it until i found this article. I never realized how interesting being a neurosurgeon can be. I want to do this to save and help people’s lives. I just can’t decide whether to go to Yale,Princeton,or Standford university. Hopefuly i make the right choice
Im going to 7th grade and i really want be a neurosurgeon and get payed alot and help people who are need and never do anything that would put a patient in jeopardy
Hello there, I’m sixteen years old and I’m doing my secondary school study via correspondence. I’d definitely like to have a job In the medical science area but I’m not quite sure which area to specialize in, partly because I haven’t studied enough to be sure of what my passion is the most.This interview has shown me how fascinating and interesting neurology can be.
It’s definitely a branch of medicine to explore more and definately pursue.
Hi im 16, ive really always wanted to be a doctor but never knew what kind, then a while ago i was watching tv, when i got the idea to train to become a neurosurgeon. I wanted to say that this was really awesome ive been looking for an article like this. Its great! I really needed this thanks for sharing! Im looking forward to when i get my first interview. 😀
Hi I’m 9 and I really want to be a neurosurgeon when I grow up andnthis website inspired ne even more at first I wanted to be a neurosurgeon cause my aunt is in fellowship in her training that’s how I started wanting to be a neurosurgeon then I wanted to be in the secret service but now I want to be a neurosurgeon again andbmore than the first time I wanted to be one
awesome
Thank you so much, I’ve been looking for this for months. I am 14 years old and I am 100% GOING TO BE A NEUROSURGEON. I have good grades, but in science is worst! I hate SCIENCE, but I want to be a neurosurgeon. Last year in spring, my grandma was talking to me and my sisters. She said, “I want one of my grandchildren to become a doctor.” At the time my step-granddad was in the hospital and I saw these people in white long coats walking or running in the halls to room to room, and I asked my mother who are those people and she said, “Doctors”. I thought those people were so important. When my grandmother asked my sisters and I, I said me. She said, “Be a brain surgeon”. So I browse the internet and found info about neurosurgeon. I know I have 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 8 years of training. I watch the show, “truman: life in the er” and “untold stories of the er”. I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF YEARS TO BECOME AN NEUROSURGEON, BUT I CAN’T WAIT!
Hi, when I have started to watch the show “House”. It inspired me to become a doctor. When the team on “House” looks at the CAT scan or an MRI ,of the brain, I am so into it and I tend to pause the show and study the brain. I really want to become a nerosurgeon. Thank you for reading my comment.
Hi i have always wanted to be a astronaut and my Dad wanted a Neurosurgeon.which he is a (RN). But now i changed my mind i want to be a neurosurgeon now not flying into space i want to save some brains. And didnot change my mind because of money. I changed my mind because of the few neurosurgeon that are left and because of the people who are dieing without BRAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This interview is absolutely inspiring. Thanks to the Dr for sharing his experiences and knowledge, Deciding on which specialty I will follow. Neurosurgery has always been my passion. Thanks
hi am a second year medical student. been really inspired by this to be a neurosurgeon. tnx
Hey, I’m 13 and I’ve been wanting to do medicine since I was 8, and OMG, this interview was such an eye opener!! I’m even more enthusiastic about becoming a neuro surgeon now! Thanx!! 😀
hey my name is salma and i want to become a neurosurgeon and thank u so much for the info peolple need our help these days
hello i am 14 years old and i would like to be to be a neurosurgeon when i grow up but i know it takes a lot of years. im deciding wherther to be a cardiac doctor or a neurosurgeon
thank you this helped me alot
I’m 12 years old and ive been wanting to become a neurosurgeon for a while now and this just inspired me further. The main reason i want to become a neurosurgeon is because i want to help people not as much the money. Thank you so much for the info! I am hoping to get into a nice college such as Stanford University, Yale University, or maybe even Harvard University. Again, thank you for the info i will definately review this later on in life.
Hello, I’m 12 years old and I really want to be a neuro-surgeon. I don’t care about the income I get, I’m so interested in how people can even operate the brain. I want to go to Stanford and be in the medical program there. The one thing I’m scared about is that when you operate someone, how do you know they’re going to live? What if something goes wrong. I’ll hate to be held responsible for it.
I’m 15 years old, and we’re doing a power point on what we want to be when we get older. I’m doing mine on becoming a neurosurgeon. I know a lot on it, but now I know so much more. Thank you.
I am 15 years old and I go to Franklin Learning Center High School for health Science and I came here so I can learn more about the medical field and this school has really inspired me to pursuit my dream and my dream is to be a NEUROSURGEON.
hi im very interested in neuro surgry and it also inspierd me to help people in life better than i do now
I have been wanting to be a neurosurgeon since i was almost 6, reading this makes me want be one even more.
hey ! i’m 13 years Old and my sister is studing medicine…i’ve always wanted to becOme an accountant but this interview changed my mind…PEOPLE WHO HAVE BRAIN TUMOR NEED NEUROSURGEONS…C’MoN WE NEES MORE AND MORE NEUROSURGEONS !!!!!!!!!!!! =D really…really inspired guys…thanks….
Hi I am 11 years old and I am really interested in Neuro Surgery and I want to be that when I am older I know how much salary a year (around $600,000-$1,000,000) I got inspired by Greys Anatomy
awesome
Thank you ver much you are the best! I have l wanted to become a doctor since the thrid grade and the first time i seen the show “House” . I hope this is he right job for me. Hopefully we can keep in touch incase i have questions. But anyways, Thanks!
– Chris
WOW this has really got to me. and movivated me and inspired me i am going to become a neurosurgeon thats my dream well more than a dream more than a passion more than my destiny its something that truely was meant for me! thanks so much means alot for someone to think how i did. i thought exactly same thing but i used to think u have to be smart that aint true at all. Its all about hard work and commited and dedication so true!!! just amazing well said oh my lord do you know how much this gets to me sorry to sound to emotional. hehe thanks too you I WISH I COULD MEET YOU IN PERSON would be an honour.. thanks for putting out ur words out in the open to share with the world. Mannnnnn im super excited im gonna be one involved dedicated commited neurosurgeon mabye not too much lol whhooops coz cant be too involved but anyways Sorry talking to much. This has just got to me got my heart thanks Sir/Mam
Im 16 and have caught an interest in becoming a Brain Surgeon, but things were keeping me back. Like the 8 years of school and then the internship, but after reading this I think I made up my mind. I really want to become a Neuro Surgeon in the future. So I will keep looking up information on what it takes to become one. Im only a Sophomore, but every year goes by faster and faster so I might as well start thinking of my future now (:
Thank you. This was really inspiring. I am in the military and I am making a career change and seriously considering being a surgeon. I think this helped me a lot.
This was a very informative article. Im 16 and I’ve been wanting to be a neurosurgeon for quite a while now. Im not sure which med school would be the best. Alot of people dont believe i cant make it as a neurosurgeon,but i believe with hard work i can. Im currently finishing highschool and hope to get into the University of Washington in Seattle. Im currently living in New Mexico but am soon Moving to Arizona and am hoping to one day be living in Seattle.
This was a very helpful article. I really enjoyed the insightful things you had to say. I am only 14 but I have wanted to be a neurosurgeon since I was 12. So reading this has really motivated me to work extra hard and follow my dreams. Thank you for inspiring me and sharing the fact that it all starts with a little hard work.
I am currently studying to become a Health Information Technology Engineer specializing in the implementation of Electronic Health Records for medical practices/hospitals/etc. Can you tell me what your thoughts are on EHR? What do you feel are the pros/cons of EHR? How have the changes in HIPAA privacy and security changed the way you do business? Thanks so much in advance for your feedback.
I have always wanted to be a surgeon. I just didn’t know what speciality. However, I recently found out that I have a brain tumor at the age of 16. So it has inspired me to be a neurosurgeon and this website was very informative!
I have wanted to be a nuerosurgeon since I took my first steps…my dad is a nuerosurgeon and my mom is a cardiologist so I kind of wanted to follow in their footsteps…so this is very inspiring..btw I am only 13…
i love neurosurgrey,and wont stop loving it but i am studying medicine in ukraine,and dont know if it will still be possible for me to make it to be a neurosurgeon in the us as i have always wished.please i need you people’s advice
I am only 16 and I have been wanting to be a Neurosurgeon for a while now.
Its just intesting, and thankyou for boosting up my confidence in being a Neurosurgeon.
I’m in the grade of 8th and soon to be a freshman in high school.
I am the only one considering to become a neurosurgeon out of the whole class.! I want to become one because I want to make a difference in someone’s life && be the person that saved your life! (:
I’ve always wanted to become a neurosurgeon since 1st grade.
This just made me want to do more to become one.
this has scared me more!!!
it is a lot of work, why does it have to take so so long? i will take engineering……
I am 16 years of age and I have dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon since I was 11. I have a very strong desire to pursue this career because I had meningitis as a child. This inspired me to help people who may be plagued with cerebral or spinal illnesses.
I would like to thank you for putting this article on the web. I found it very helpful in confirming my career choice.
I was wondering what medical school you would recommend.
i am 10 years i started wanting to be a neurosurgeon last week and i was saying that i might be an engineer but now i have just changed i am going to be a neurosurgeon and i will try to be the youngest person to get a PHD at 29 in neurological studies although it is hard i think i have a very clever brain because i calculate very quick
I love this article. Right now I’m a freshman in high school, yet out of everyone in my grade, I’m the only student who decided to become a neurosurgeon. I know I probably won’t be a full-practicing neuro surgeon until I’m about 40, but hell its worth the pay! Plus knowing that you saved another life really touches me. I hope I make it through 🙂
This article is so lovely and inspiring….keep up the good work…..I was kinda in a rollercoaster before but with this I think I’m good….thanks again
Much love
I’m presently a junior in college, I plan on becoming a Neurosurgeon. I’m Just super stressed about getting accepted to Med school at the moment. I’m curious to know if having a Master’s degree would help me stand apart from the other Med school applicants? I know that this career choice is a difficult one, but I believe it is worth the hard work. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Hello Thanks a lot for this post really appreciate it I too am looking forward to becoming a neurosurgeon.
I love your article. i feel like it gave me some very accurate and true information. I have been wanting to become a neurosurgeon since I was in the 9th grade, so thaks for posting.
i loved your article!!!! im starting college in a year, and im going to be a neurosurgeon
I wanted to become a Paediatrician but since reading this i’ve changed my mind on becoming a Neurosurgeon.
Thanks a lot because i have wanted to be a brain surgeon for about 4 years know and im in the 8th grade and it realy makes me happy to be a brain surgeon… thanks
I would like more insight and detail of day to day responsabilities, if anyone who is personally practicing medicine, or currently attending med school could contact me and give me some detail I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Cory
Sarah thanks for commenting. I’m the owner of the site. Most of the interviews here are done anonymously so I can get people to share as much info as possible. I encourage you to follow your dreams. If you want to be a doctor go for it, I’m sure you are plenty smart enough. From the sounds of what this doctor told me it will take lots of work though, but the rewards are great. Best of luck to you!
Aaron
I REALLY NEED ADVICE & HELP
This page is amazing full or inspirational words and i would like to talk to you personally! Doc please. i need inspiration and help because sometimes im thinkien am i really good enough , but its what i want ,,,, like what u said what u like about what u do. i feel exact same way … knowing the people appreciate so much what u have done for them, and them thanking you ohh wow it would make myheart flutter just helping people and saving life for a living woah AMAZING!!! I HAVE SO MUCH PASSION FOR IT im just worried i aint smart as peoPle think and think that i might be capable of .. i need to ask you something urgent.
Thanks alot Doc 😀
Hello i would like to ask a few questions, they are quite personal if u could contact me via email that would be great .
All the Questions u answered ,i was reading them all i know for sure , you are the person i need to talk to, Ive really want to have a career in neurosurgery im only 18 and dont know what to do yet how im going to get their i need ur advice please, i hope u reply.
Thank so very much
Take Care 🙂 Doc XoXo
I am very glad that you have put up this post. I have been wanting to become a neurosurgen since 5th grade and, im only 12. I am very eagar to hear more discussions about this topic.
Thank you very much for putting this post up. I have wanted to become a neurosurgon every since 5th grade, and im only 12. I am very eagar to hear more this topic.
thank u so much for being an inspiration to me. i want to be a neurosurgeon so bad.
hey im in 8th grade and ive wanted to be a dr or surgeon since i wuz 4! thx soo much for this info bcuz i started getting intrested in the brain when i wuz 11…my mom isnt a doctor but she was a nurse so shes told me ALOT! i want to go to stanford med but i never really knew exactly what i needed to do until now! THANK YOU SO MUCH! its not even about the money its about the love of helping people.now i can continue working torward my goal
I just wanted to thank you so much for posting this. I am a senior in high school and this interview helped me pass my senior project. I plan to become a medical examiner in the future so this really helped to open my eyes thank you once again.
Im in 8th grade and want too become a neurosurgeon
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I very much enjoyed this article. I just finished my freshman year in chemical engineering, when I get my bachelors I am going to apply to medical school. To all of those here who aspire to study medicine, my very best wishes to you! This article was very interesting and informative, Thank You! = )
i start my pre-med school in one week and im very excited about the field which i have chosen. i have not decided the exact area yet, but you sure have made me think. neurosurgeon sounds difficult, but i really love a good challenge.
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OMG! THANKS FOR HELPING ME FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAREER I WISH TO PURSUE! VERY TOUCHING 🙂
I truly want to thank you for providing me with this vital information. I’am heading to college next year and this interview has simply provided me with more motivation to pursue my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Thx tonz 4 having this interview w/ an “actual” Doc. in the field of Neurosurgery..=DDD..It really relieves me of some of the questions I was going 2 search the ENTIRE net 4..lol..Thx again!!..=DDD..I’m truly inspired ever more, 2 reach 4 my dream of becoming a Neurosurgeon!!!!..=333
thanks a lot! for this interview. i am from india preparing for usmle,i want to get into neurosurgery, i have always been interested in studies involving nervous tissue and its disorders, during my internship i fell love in surgery and since then i have decided to heve a career in neurosurgery. your interview has encouraged me a lot.
its really difficult for an img to get into but i am going to give my best!
i am high school student nd an aspiring neuroligist and i feel that thi article was plentiful in valuble imformation and would like to read more
I am only in high school, but I have wanted to be a neurosurgeon (or maybe even a neuropsychiatrist) for years now. It seems like a very interesting and enjoyable occupation. Hopefully thing will work out for me in college. Thanks for doing what you do and encouraging others.
Thank you for posting this, it really encourages me a lot, I am going to be in pre-medicine, I am only 18, but it is so interesting, now hearing about it from an actual Neurosurgeon. 🙂 AMAZING, Oh, but I have one question.
what exactly does he mean when he says that he wants to just teach residence full-time?
Hey thanks for posting this=) For a couple of years now i have wanted to become a ” Brain Surgeon. ” Hearing a real-life testimony of a Doctor encourages me alot. You showed me what steps i can take to becoming one. I was kinda hoping you could email me and give me your viewpoint on joining the army to help prepare for this medical field…
i ahve always wanted to become a doctor or somethng related to science, i started thinking of surgry because it’s smthng differnt, and by reading this i really want to be a surgeon, help others, and be proud of myself while making others happy.
thanx for this info, its really influencd me 2 try hard and become a nuerosurgeon.
ive wanted to be a neurosurgeon for years now and reading this just makes me want to become a neurosurgeon more and more(:
thanks
i am very touched i really want to be a neurosurgeon so reading this has motivated me lets keep in touch