Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgeon: provides the operative and nonoperative management of disorders of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems which include the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles along with their respective blood vessels.

Quick Facts

Competitiveness: Very high

Length of training: 6 to 7 years

Number of residency programs: 97

Number of residents in training: 1,146

Number in the U.S. currently Board Certified: 3,500

First year median compensation: $287,500

Mean number of hours per week in patient care: 55.6

Residency Information

You will need to complete 12 months of general surgery followed by 5 years of a neurosurgery residency.

It is possible to receive subspecialty training in the area of endovascular surgical neuroradiology- uses cather technology, radiologic imaging, and clinical expertise to diagnose and treat diseases of the central nervous system.

Why Choose

A majority of surgeons decided on entering this specialty while in medical school and many had been influenced by a strong role model.

Neurosurgeons are drawn to the technical aspects of the surgical procedures and the level of responsibility in regards to making decisions concerning patient care. Others enjoy the anatomy and the lifestyle, which is noted to be very intense.

Typical Schedule

You will be working long hours roughly 12 to 14 daily, with very early mornings. There is a lot of night and weekend call in this specialty where it can be from "300 days a year" if you're in solo practice to every fourth night and weekend.

Mornings begin with hospital rounds, completing consultations and diagnostic procedures, followed by the rest of the day seeing patients at the office and performing surgery. In neurosurgery you will spend time reading journals an activity which a lot of the other surgical specialties do not do as regularly.

Depending on your practice you may teach residents, attend committee meetings, and do research.

If You're Interested

You must be fully committed to a neurosurgery career because it will place a strain on your personal life as well as your family's. From an academic standpoint you will want to learn neuroanatomy and neurophysiology like cold, and it is beneficial to do lab work where you get to see an animal's brain.

While in practice you must be aware of the fact you will be threatened with malpractice litigation on a constant basis, it is the norm and not the exception.

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