How to Become a Pediatrician
Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide
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Pediatrics is the area of medicine that deals with the medical care of children, infants and adolescents. The word pediatrics actually means “healer of children” and the practitioners of this branch of medicine are called pediatricians.
To become a pediatrician is no easy task. You’ve got to have the passion for the job right at the very beginning and you must be dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.
Early Start
Cultivate a genuine love by working with children at an early age. Babysit, tutor or involve yourself in activities that allow you to interact with children and will teach you how to deal with them in different situations.
Maintain above-average grades in high school. This will raise your chance to get into a good college and consequently, a good medical school. As early as high school, you should also focus on biology, writing courses and chemistry.
If you are determined to become a pediatrician at an early age, you can opt to take a combined medical program right out of high school. The program may shorten your medical training to six or seven years instead of the typical eight years. Taking a combined medical program will also get you into a medical school, and you can even avoid taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). However, taking this program may limit the medical schools you may be admitted to.
College
Before you enter college, go to the potential medical schools you’re eyeing, and inquire about pre-med college courses they will require prior to admitting students in their schools.
In college, you can take any major you like but you have to take courses in organic chemistry, calculus, biology, biochemistry, physics and chemistry, as these are the typical courses medical schools require prior to admission. Keep your grades up at a high average, as a high grade is also crucial into getting into medical school.
Take the MCAT in your junior year. Apply and interview at the medical schools of your preference.
Medical School
Brace yourself for a grueling four years in medical school and be prepared to tackle subjects such as immunology, pharmacology, physiology, pathology and microbiology. Medicine, neurology and surgery will be taken up at the last two years of schooling.
Post-Medical School
Take the National Medical Board exams to qualify you to practice medicine. The higher your score in the board exams, the higher the chances of you getting better opportunities and a better post-internship career.
After passing the Board exams, you must then complete a year of pediatrics internship. As an intern, you are still learning, but you are also being compensated for your work. After your internship, you must then complete two more years of pediatrics residency. In these three years, you will be exposed to both hospital and office settings in the realm of pediatrics.
You will then take a second round of the National Board Exams. You will be required to be board-certified in pediatrics to become a pediatrician.
Specializations
After becoming a board-certified pediatrician, you have the option of finding a specialization (which you will also be required to take sub-specialty board examinations to practice) such as Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric Cardiology, Developmental Pediatrics, and so on.
Ask a question
on March 25th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Hello, my name is Derondre Parker. Im a 10th Grader at Hoke County High School, NC. Im planning on persuing my career in pediatrics, to help children and make a difference in someone’s life. Im up for the training and studies, and will do my best. Your website gives good information and breaks things down to help understand.
on February 24th, 2009 at 11:22 am
this is awesome you really did a good job at working with your words to let people know what a children’s doctor does:)