I'm 24, and need to decide soon what I want to do for the rest of my life. I love neurosurgery, but its a super time-consuming specialty. My mum doesn't want me to do it at all, many neurosurgeons I have spoken to says its difficult to decide at this age what I would want 30yrs down the line, and I agree. I'm also an only child, so there is pressure for me to produce a kid at some point.. I do want a family, but I'm nowhere near having one right now. My plan right now is to just follow what I love in my career right now rather than wait for something which may or may not happen. I don't know if this is the right approach to take, as I also don't want to find myself in my late-30s with no husband or kid, and fertility dwindling away because I've spent all my time working..And it would be too late to find another career path to go down. How do we make these decisions??
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It depends how badly you want things...
I've met neurosurgeon mothers - one who started medschool at 26 years old! Anything's doable, but that doesn't mean it's easy.
I've met neurosurgeon mothers - one who started medschool at 26 years old! Anything's doable, but that doesn't mean it's easy.
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There are other paths you can take. Having a field in mind is great but don't throw all your eggs in one basket. You "think" you love neurosurgery but you don't really know until you are a resident honestly. Most medical students end up getting residencies in fields they didn't think they would. That happens for various reasons ... one is grades and another is the reality of the specialties. Many students don't land the "residency of their dreams" and end up going another route. Would you be happy with other specialties? And maybe a less consuming specialty might be more of a middle route you could take?
So I would choose medicine for medicine instead of one particular field. Strive for your goals but let the chips fall where they may.
Also have you thought about physician's assistant schools? It is a much more direct and hands on training system. Med school is so long and drawn out with so many stressful / pointless hoops you jump through. PA school lets you get the education necessary to make decisions in medical practice while not having to deal with the amount of stress physicians do, often working better hours, and having a more flexible life.
Or you could follow that dream and be a neurosurgeon and have a family. It can be done but its going to take a lot of work. You will sacrifice time from your family and from your job at times. You can't have it all ... so you need to find that medium that works for you.
So I would choose medicine for medicine instead of one particular field. Strive for your goals but let the chips fall where they may.
Also have you thought about physician's assistant schools? It is a much more direct and hands on training system. Med school is so long and drawn out with so many stressful / pointless hoops you jump through. PA school lets you get the education necessary to make decisions in medical practice while not having to deal with the amount of stress physicians do, often working better hours, and having a more flexible life.
Or you could follow that dream and be a neurosurgeon and have a family. It can be done but its going to take a lot of work. You will sacrifice time from your family and from your job at times. You can't have it all ... so you need to find that medium that works for you.
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I think neurosurgery would make a wonderful career.
BUT, I don't think it an ideal career for a woman contemplating children and raising a family.
BUT, I don't think it an ideal career for a woman contemplating children and raising a family.
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If your family is wealthy, this is realistic. You have got to expect as much as $150,000 of debt, on your first day of work, when you are 33.
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Make sure you mention these concerns to the admission committee...
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Dude go for the money every time