Samantha Gonzalez
Neurosurgeon

The brain is the greatest machine that has ever been studied. Its amazing complexity is indescribable until this day. The practice of neurology is the study of how the brain functions according to its components: the nervous system and the spinal cord structure. Neurosurgeons are the “hands on practicians” of neurology. They study and perform surgeries on the brain, the spinal cord and also treat diseases that affect the nervous system. They are the closest humans to understanding the complexity of how the brain works. Through extensive years of education they are one the most recognized medical doctors and the most devoted.

Neurology is the study of diseases that affect the nervous system and neurosurgeons are its great practitioners. They also deal with diseases or damage that is done to the spinal cord. The neurological treatment of the spinal cord, and its great connection with the brain is a essential part of neurological surgery and it’s a great part of what type of surgeries, neurosurgeons perform.

The long journey to neurosurgery isn’t easy, and it starts with a great devotion to work hard in a four-year college. The most important step of the education process is to be accepted to a competitive medical school. A bachelor’s degree is necessary to be accepted into medical school. It would be preferred if its a bachelor’s degree concentrated in a field that relates to pre-medicine classes. Classes such as biology, chemistry, and other sciences would make good candidates. A high grade point average is also another requirement, as medical schools are exceedingly competitive to get accepted in.
In the midst of junior year in a four year college there is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT.) One will need to pass to be able to be accepted into medical school. In preparing for this test it would be best to follow a pre-medical course curriculum. The preparation to get into medical school is one of the most stressful yet rewarding allows you to study to become a neurosurgeon. It is important to know that medical schools are quite expensive; most of them cost around $45,000 a year. Financial aid is needed, and also a great devotion to extracurricular activities that might land you a scholarship such as: sports, community work and a hobby.
Then the real preparation starts with 12 years of medical school and a residency. When accepted into medical school within those four years students are rotated in all fields of medical study. Yet at the same time classes in neurology and neurological surgery, are available to major in. Such classes are: surgical classes, the structure of the nervous system, molecular biology and diagnostic medicine-classes vital to neurological surgery.
After these four years of extensive medical training and rotation the study and learning will continue from Senior Neurosurgeons in a residency program (at a hospital). In this residency program of about six years, through observation, and studying necessary skills are learned from practicing Senior Neurosurgeons. There will also be a chance to obtain a Medical Practice License (not surgeon yet) after passing the Board Test after one year of residency. Having passed the test, it enables real patients treatment from a physician role. The great part is that the residency program is a paid internship.
After about 6 years of residency experience you are able to apply for a State License. With this State License you will be able to practice Neurological Surgery. After about 3 years of practice you are then qualified to get Board Certification: which is a great prestige in the Medical Community. This prestige recognizes your achievements as a surgeon. It is a long journey but it is worth entering one of the most challenging medical fields. Every three years and so you must renew your license- so staying updated with new research and new surgical (machine) practices is essential. At the end the reward is a high prestige in the medical field and a competitive salary. The average neurosurgeon makes about $105 per hour and $219,770 annually. As your field experience increases so does your wage. The top paid neurosurgeons are paid more than $500,000 per year in the northeast of USA. Also neurosurgeons are highly in need everywhere as the medical field grown, and is in great need.
Neurosurgeons deal with diseases that affect the brain and the nervous system such as: spinal stenosis in which the patient motor skills are limited. They also treat head trauma that includes concussions and brain hemorrhages. With new scientific advances Neurosurgeons are able to operate on the brain with new technology and understand the brain even further. Neurosurgeons work hard to keep our brain healthy, and as well as our spinal cord. They are even in the brink of curing disabilities that are caused by spinal cord damage. The medical field is in great need and the power to understand and operate on the brain is something not everyone could have. Neurosurgeons are the most devoted to their work and it shows every year as they make new medical advances and heal what makes us tick.