The brain is one of the most important organs in the body and gives humans the capacity for language, art, and rational thought. A brain surgeon, or neurosurgeon, is a doctor that performs surgery on the nervous system, particularly the brain. He or she will also treat a wide range of problems affecting the central nervous system is the job of a brain surgeon.
Because the brain is often considered the most important organ in the brain, it is vital that professionals who deal with this organ have extensive education. There is steep competition when gaining entry into medical school. For this reason, many brain surgeons are educated at top universities. During their education, brain surgeons must excel at biology, chemistry and mathematics.
A brain surgeon must study for a minimum of fourteen years before he or she is actually allowed to perform surgery on a patient. The extensive schooling consists of four years of pre-medical study, and four additional years are spent studying for a medical degree. Once the medical degree is obtained, doctors are required to undergo six years of residency.
Many prospective brain surgeons take on an additional two-year masters degree once their residency is complete. Others may follow their residency with a subspecialty fellowship. It is not uncommon for a brain surgeon to have twenty years of post-secondary education.
Once all educational requirements are complete, a brain surgeon must become board certified in neurosurgery. This involves taking a rigorous professional examination. They must also be able to pass a licensing exam in their jurisdiction to legally practice as a surgeon.
Brain surgeons have a job that is physically and mentally demanding. In addition to putting in long hours mentally, the job is also physically strenuous. Brain surgeons are required to put in long hours in the operating room and must have the ability to stand completely still for hours. They must perform very delicate technical tasks and this requires a high level of stamina and dexterity. For this reason, it is essential that brain surgeons keep in good physical shape.
Doctors who are able to perform surgery on the brain have one of the most highly paid and prestigious professions around. For some, becoming a brain surgeon is considered a dream because of the high salary that accompanies the position. The surgeons are able to perform life-changing results for patients such as helping individuals that were formerly paralyzed.
There are many risks involved in brain surgery. Some of the most common complications that could arise from brain surgery include infections, brain damage, paralysis, or even death. Fifty years ago, half of all brain surgeries were fatal. Today, less than ten percent of brain surgeries result in death.