Troeger1

LaurenTroeger
Corbo
English12
11April2016
Anesthesiology
WhatIKnew:
Ihavebeeninsideofahospitalmanytimes,whetheritwasforafamilymemberor
myself.Withfourhospitalizedconcussionsandtwosurgeries,Ihaveseenfirsthandtheinsideof
anambulance,anemergencyroom,andanoperatingroom.Althoughmostpeoplewouldview
theseexperiencesasnegativeaspects,Ibelievethatseeingtheworkthatdoctorsdobroughtme
tothispassioninthemedicalfieldthatIcurrentlypossess.Hospitalsarefascinatingplacestobe
in.Theyarefullofthesick,buttheyarealsoplacesofhealing.Unlikeanywhereelse,thereis
tragedyandhappinessallinoneplace.
Mypassionformedicinealsocamefrommyinterestinthesciences.Ihavegonethrough
manycoursesofsciencethroughouthighschool,includingAPBiology,honorsChemistry,and
Physics.Bytakingthesecourses,IrealizedtheinterestIhavelearningaboutthehumanbody
andhowitoperates.Iwishtocontinuemystudiesinthisbypursuingamedicalcareerincollege
nextyear.
Beforecompletingthisproject,theonlyinformationIknewaboutthecareerof
anesthesiologywasthatthesearethedoctorsthatareresponsibleforputtingmetosleepand
wakingmeupinsurgery.Ididnotknowanyofthespecificsofthespecialtyofanesthesiology,
butIdidknowasmallportionaboutwhatittakestobecomeamedicaldoctoringeneral.Iknew


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thatinordertobecomeadoctor,apersonmustfirstgetanundergraduatedegreeinanymajor
thattheyplease.Duringtheirundergraduatejunioryear,theymusttaketheMedicalCollege
AdmissionTest(MCAT)inordertousethisscoretoapplyformedicalschooljustashighschool
studentsusetheirACTorSATscorestoapplyforcollege.Duringastudentssenioryeariswhen
theyapplytomedicalschool,whichisacompetitiveprocesstogothrough.Aftergettinginto
medicalschool,thepersonmustgothroughfouryearsattendingthismedicalschooltograduate.
Aftergraduationfrommedicalschool,thestudentappliestoaresidencyprogram.Aftertheir
residencyiscomplete,thepersonthenappliestobecominganattending,anactualdoctor.
Beforethisproject,Iknewthisbasicprocessofbecomingadoctor,butIdidnotknowallofthe
specifics.
Overall,Iknewthebasicknowledgeofhowtobecomeadoctor,butnotbeyondthis.I
didnotknowwhatthiswholeprocessentailedthroughtheperspectiveofanactualdoctor.The
informationthatIknewaboutbecomingananesthesiologistwasverysmalltonone,andIdid
notknowaboutallofthespecialtiesbeyondanesthesiology.
WhatIWantedtoKnow:
SinceIwaslittle,Ialwayshadapassionforthemedicalfieldanddreamedofsomeday
beingimportanttothelivesofothers.WhatIwasconflictedonbeforethisprojectwaswhich
fieldofmedicinethatIwishedtopursue.Therearemanydifferentavenuesofthemedicalfield,
butIwasfocusingonthedifferencesbetweenthecareersofadoctorandanurse.Iwantedto
firstdiscoverthedifferencesbetweenthesetwoprofessions.Ineededtomakeadecisionabout
thisbeforeIattendedcollegeduetothedifferentcareerpathsthatIcouldhavechosenat
multiplecolleges.


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IspecificallychoseanesthesiologyoveranyotherspecialtybecauseofthesurgeriesthatI
havegonethrough.WhenIwasthreeyearsold,Ihadtwoherniasthatneededtobeoperatedon,
andthispastyear,Ihadmytonsilsremoved.Theanesthesiologistsweretheoneswhoputmeto
sleepandtalkedtomeasthisprocessoccurred.Beforethisexperiencewithmymentor,thisisall
Iknewaboutanesthesiologyspecifically.IwantedtolearnmoreaboutwhattheydidwhileIwas
beingoperatedonandwhatelsetheywereresponsibleforotherthantoputmetosleepandbe
abletowakemeup.Iwantedtodiscoverwhatitwasliketobeananesthesiologistandwhattheir
workentails.
Inordertomakeadecisionaboutthedifferentmedicalcareers,Ialsowantedtograspthe
processofbecomingadoctorandthestrugglesofthisprocess.Iwantedtodiscoverhowdifficult
theundergraduateclasseswereandwhatdegreewillbethebestforgoingintomedicalschool.I
wishedtogainknowledgeabouttheprocessofapplyingtomedicalschoolduringthe
undergraduateschooling.Then,Iwantedtolookintowhatmedicalschoolislikeingeneraland
theformatofitoverthefouryears.Ineededtoknowtheprocessofgettingintoaresidency
programaftercompletingmedicalschoolandthechallengesofbeingaresident.Overall,I
wishedtolearnaboutthestepbystepprocessinbecomingadoctor.Thiswasessentialtome
becauseifIdiddecidethatIwantedtobecomeadoctorafterthisproject,Iwouldneedtofigure
outifitwasapossibilityforme.Ineededtoknowhowmylifewouldlookoverthenextdecade
inchoosingthiscareerpathinordertocometoaconclusionaboutthemedicalprofessionthatI
wishtopursue.
Ineededtocometoaconclusionaboutwhatmedicalprofessionisrightformeby
discoveringallofthedetailsaboutbecomingadoctorasopposedtoanurse.Thisincludesthe


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processesofboth,thedifferentavenuesofboth,andunderstandingtheperspectivesofboth.I
wantedtocometoaconclusionbyseeingfirsthandtheinsideofahospitalandobservingallof
thedifferentspecialties.Mymainobjectivethroughoutthisprojectwastodecidewhatmedical
careerpathisrightformeandwhatpathIthenneededtostartpursuingnextyearincollege.
WhatILearned:
AsIwalkedintotheoperatingroomforthefirsttime,myheartracedwithexcitement.I
hadthewholeuniformon:scrubs,amask,andabonnet.Althoughitwasntaglamorouslook,I
feltlikeIwasasuperstar.PeoplelookedatmeasifIwereanactualdoctorwhowasgoinginto
surgery,whichwasafeelingthatIcouldneverreplace.Ilookedaroundattheothermedical
professionalsintheroomincludingnurses,surgeons,anesthesiologists,andtechs.Eachperson
hadadifferentjob,buttheywereallimportantforthepatient.Iwaswalkingintojustanother
surgeryforthem,buttheydidnotrealizethatitwasalifechangingexperienceforme.Iknew
fromthesecondthatIwalkedintothehospitaluntilthesecondthatIleftthatIwantedtobea
doctor,andthisreallywasalifechangingexperienceforme.
OneofthequestionsthatIwastryingtodiscoverthroughoutthisprojectwasthe
differencesbetweenadoctorandanurseandwhichprofessionwasrightforme.ThefirsttimeI
shadowedinthehospitalwasalongsevenhourday,andIwasonthelaborunitmostoftheday.
Theentireday,Iwatchedoperationsandbirthsonthelaborunit,whereIlearnedmoreabout
howmanydifferentmedicalprofessionsworktogetherandsawthedifferentperspectivesofthe
medicalprofessions.ThefirstbirthIwatchedwasacsection,wheretherewerenurses,
surgeons,anesthesiologists,andtechsintheoperatingroom.Inthetwovaginalbirths,therewere
onlynursesintheroomassistingthepatientwithherbirth.Throughouttheday,Idiscoveredthat


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nursesdoalotofthework,anddoctorsarethepeoplewhodirectthenurseswhattodo.The
nursesspendmoretimetalkingwiththepatientandcleaningupafterthemthanthedoctorsdo.
Theyweretheoneswhocleanedthebaby,retrievedsuppliesforthedoctors,andmonitored
patientsaftersurgery.Onenurseinformedmethatshechosethisprofessionbecauseshegetsto
spendmoretimewiththepatientsasopposedtoadoctor.Inordertobearegisterednurse,a
personmustgothroughfouryearsofundergraduateschooling.Nursesareinhighdemand,
makingupthemajorityofthehealthcareindustryandareexpectedtobeinhigherdemandin
futureyears.In2008,therewasanaverageof2,618,700nursingjobsintheU.S.andin2018,
therepredictstobe3,200,200nursingjobsavailable(Nursing).Onaverage,nursesmake
from$74,180ayearto$86,470ayear(Nursing).Nursescanchoosetoworkinhospitals,
physiciansoffices,homehealthcareservices,andnursingcarefacilities.Theyhaveflexible
schedulesandpicktheirhours,usuallyworkingonaveragethreedaysaweekwithtwelvehour
shifts.Bothprofessionsareimportantforthepatientandbothclearlyhavetheirownpersonal
benefits,butIfoundthatIwishtobecomeadoctorbecauseoftheamazingproceduresthatthey
doforthepatient.Iwouldratherbethisroleinapatientslifethantakeordersfromdoctors.Iam
thekindofpersontotakecharge,andIbelievethatIamthetypeofpersonwhoshouldbea
doctor.
Overthetimeperiodofthenextfewshadowingdates,Ilearnedmoreabouttheprocess
ofanesthesiologyspecifically.Iwantedtolearnthesespecificsaboutanesthesiologyandwhat
anesthesiologistsdoduringageneralworkday.Ifoundthattherearefourkindsofanesthesia
usedindifferentcircumstancesondifferentpatients.Thefirstkindofanesthesiaissedation
whereapatientishalfawakeduringthesurgeriesandthereforewakesupquicker.Thesecond


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kindofanesthesiaisgeneralanesthesiawherethepatientisputallthewaytosleep.Inthiscase,
thepatientneedsanairwayinordertobreath.Thetypesofwaysusedtogettheoxygentothe
patientisthroughanendotrachealtube,alaryngealmask(LMA),oramask.Theendotracheal
tubeiswhereatubegoesinpastapatientsvocalcordstopumpinairtothelungs.Iwatched
thisoccurafewtimeswithdifferentanesthesiologistsintheprocedurewheretheytakeouta
sectionofastomach.AnLMAiswherethemaskisputinandsitsatthebackofthemouth.My
mentordemonstratedthistechniqueonapatientwhenthepatientwasgoingthroughasurgery
whereherremainingpartsintheuteruswerebeingtakenoutafterherbabydied.Sheusedthis
techniquebecausethepatientwasnotatriskofthrowingup,anditwasashorterprocedure
comparedtoothers.Finally,amaskisthemostimportantmethodtolearnbecausetherewill
neverbeanemergency(Haeussner).Inthistechnique,allananesthesiologisthastodoisput
thebreathingmaskoverthepatientsmouth.Thethirdkindofanesthesiaisneuraxialanesthesia,
wherethepatientisnumbedintheareasthatarebeingoperatedoninsteadofgoingintogeneral
anesthesiawheretheyareunconscious.Onetypeofneuraxialanesthesiaisspinal,whichI
witnessedinthecsectionthatIwatched.Theanesthesiologistinjectedthedruginthroughthe
patientsspine,andthepatientwasnumbfromthewaistdown.Anothertypeofneuraxial
anesthesiaisanepidural,whichIwatchedbeingusedonawomanwhowasgoingintolabor.
Thisiswherethereisjustabandofnumbnessaroundthehurtingareaofthebody.Thefourth
andfinalkindofanesthesiaisregionalanesthesia,whichisusedinpostoperativepaincontrol.
Mymentoralsotaughtmewhatherjobswerethroughoutthesurgeriesanddemonstrated
herworkstepbystep.First,sheinjectedtheanesthesiaintothepatientsIV.Sheconnectedthe
anesthesiamachinetotheIVinorderforthepatienttobeconstantlypumpedwithdrugstostay


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asleepthroughoutthesurgery.Then,shemadesurethepatientwascompletelyasleepby
checkingifthepatientrespondedverballyandthentestedhis/herreflexesbyrunningherfinger
alongthepatient'seyelashes.Oncethepatienthadnoresponsetothis,shetapedthepatients
eyesclose.Whatwasinterestingaboutthisprocesstomewasthatthepatientcompletely
flatlinedduringthistimebeforesheinsertedthebreathingtube.Sheexplainedthatanesthesiais
liketheinbetweenoflifeanddeath.Thepatientwoulddieiftherewasnobreathingtube
becausetheyarenotabletobreathontheirown(Haeussner).Shetheninsertedthebreathing
tubeinorderforthepatienttobeabletolive.Therestofthesurgery,shemonitoredthepatient
onthemachine,includingtheheartbeat,bloodpressure,theamountofanesthesiabeingpumped
intothemachine,theamountofoxygenbeingpumpedin,theamountofcarbondioxidebeing
pumpedout,andtheamountthatthepatientwasbreathingontheirown.Afterthesurgerywas
completed,shewokethepatientbyshakingherawake.Oncethepatientrespondedwith
movementandbreathingoftheirown,shetookoutthebreathingpathwaysothepatientcould
breathagaincompletelyontheirown.Sheinformedmethattheworstthingthatan
anesthesiologistcandoistotakeoutthebreathingpathwaybeforethepatientrespondsandis
abletobreathontheirown(Haussner).InonecasethatIwitnessed,thepatientwasnot
respondingaftersurgery.Whenthisoccurred,theanesthesiologisthadtokeeptheirbreathing
tubeinandhookthepatientuptoaportableoxygenmachine.Theanesthesiologistwaiteduntil
theanesthesiaworeoffandthepatientrespondedbeforetakingouttheirbreathingtube.Ifthe
anesthesiologistdidnotwait,thepatientwouldhavedied.
Mybook,MedSchoolConfidentialbyRobertH.MillerandDanielM.Bissell,gaveme
thestepbystepinformationabouttheprocessofbecomingadoctor.Throughmymentoring,I


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hadtheopportunitytodiscoverwhatitwasliketobedoctor,butIcouldnotfullyunderstandthe
processinhowallofthoseprofessionalsgottherefromjustshadowing.First,apersongoes
throughfouryearsofundergraduateschoolingandwillreceiveanundergraduatedegree.They
maychoosefromanymajorthattheydesireaslongastheytaketherequiredprerequisitecourses
includingtwosemestersofPhysics,twosemestersofBiology,twosemestersofInorganic
Chemistry,twosemestersofOrganicChemistry,andonesemesterofCalculus.Everydoctorthat
Italkedtoadvisedme:Majorinwhatyoulovetodothemost.Youwillneverhavethechance
todothisagain(Haeussner).Studentswhodecidethattheywanttotrytogotomedicalschool
generallytaketheMedicalCollegeAdmissionTestthejunioryearoftheirundergrad.Thistest
alongwiththestudentsGPAisusedindecidingwhetherornottheywillgetintomedical
school.DuringthebeginningofsenioryearinAugust,studentssubmitthefirstAMCAS
universalapplication.Ifthemedicalschoolreviewsthisapplicationanddecidesthattheperson
isstillaqualifiedcandidate,theywillsendthesecondaryapplication,whichwillbesubmittedby
Octoberofsenioryear.Ifthestudentisstillintherunningforthatmedicalschool,theywillhave
aninterviewwiththemedicalschool.Thefirsttwoyearsofmedicalschoolarecomposedofthe
preclinicalyearswherestudentstakecoreclasses.Thefirstyear,studentsmusttakeAnatomy,
Physiology,Biochemistry,CellularBiology,Neurobiology,Embryology,Genetics,Nutrition,
Ethics,andIntroductiontoClinicalMedicine.Thesecondyear,studentsmusttakeMicrobiology,
Pathophysiology,Pathology,Pharmacology,andHumanBehavior/Psychiatry.Afterthefirsttwo
years,studentsarerequiredtotaketheUSMLEStep1Examandpassitinordertomoveonto
thelasttwoyearsofmedicalschool.Thelasttwoyearsarewherestudentsmustgothrougha
certainsetofrotationsinthewards,includinginternalmedicine,surgery,pediatrics,obstetrics


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andgynecology,andpsychiatry.TheUSMLEStep2Examistakenduringtheirsenioryearof
medicalschool.Then,studentsmustapplyforresidencythroughaprocesswithapplicationsand
interviewsthatisverysimilartomedicalschoolapplications.TheUSMLEStep3Examis
typicallytakenbymostdoctorsthesummeraftertheirinternyear.Afterresidencyisfinished,
residentsmusttaketheirboardexamsinordertoofficiallybecomeadoctor.
Afterdoingthisresearchabouttheprocessofbecomingadoctorspecifically,Iwas
unsureifitwaspossibleformetoactuallygothroughthisandbecomeadoctor.Ihadconcerns
aboutifIwassmartenough,ifIwouldenjoymylifethroughoutthisprocess,andhowtopayoff
allofthedebtthatIwouldbeinafterundergraduateandmedicalschool.Mymentorassuredme
thatthefuturewouldbeamazingformeifIchosethispathway.Sheexplainedhowitisnotthe
smartestwhoalwayssucceedinthisprocess:Itisallabouthowhardyouworkthroughoutyour
schooling,nothowsmartyouareasaperson.Ifyouhaveworkedhardyourentirelife,whichI
knowyouhave,youwillstillhavethisworkethicfortherestofyourlife(Haeussner).She
assuredmethatifIwasdedicatedandIworkhard,Icouldachievethistask.Inadditiontothis,
shealsoassuredmethatIwouldenjoymylifeifIchosetobecomeadoctor:Iwouldnotgo
backandchooseadifferentspecialty.Ihavemetsomanyamazingpeople,andIhavehadtime
formyhusband.ItwasworthittogothroughallofitbecauseIlovewhatIdo(Haeussner).The
residencyforherwasherbiggestchallenge.Shesaidthatwaswhenshehadtheleastamountof
freetime,butitwasonlyforashortthreeyearsofherlife.Shegotthroughitandisnowhappier
thanever.Finally,shehelpedmeunderstandthedebtthatIwouldbeinaftermedicalschool.She
assuredmethatIwouldbeabletopayoffallofmydebt,andIwouldnotevenworryaboutthe
moneythatIhavetopayoff:Ipay$1,800amonthtostudentloans.Youcanchoosehowmuch


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youpayoff,whetheritismoreorlessdependingonwhatyouwant.Itissuchaninsignificant
amountofmoneythatIampayingeachmonthcomparedtohowmuchIactuallymake.Idont
eventhinkaboutthemoney,andthisshouldnotbethereasonthatyoudonotbecomeadoctor
(Haeussner).Afterallofmyconcernswerewipedawaybymymentor,Irealizedthatthereis
nothingreallystoppingmefrombecomingadoctor.Throughoutmyexperiencewithmymentor,
IlearnedalotaboutmyselfandwhatIwantedtodowiththerestofmylife.Mymentorinspired
metowanttobecomeadoctorwithwhatshetaughtmeandthepassionthatshehasforher
career.
EventhoughIknownowthatIwanttobecomeadoctorandnotanurse,therearestill
manyotherspecialtiesthatIwillhavetochoosefromduringmedicalschool.So,another
questionthatIwastryingtoanswerwashowanesthesiologycomparedtootherspecialtiesthata
personcangointoasamedicaldoctor.Beforethisproject,Ididnotknowthattherewereso
manydifferentoptionstogointoafterapersoncompletesmedicalschool.Mymentorinformed
meaboutthehoursandscheduleofhercareercomparedtoothers.Theanesthesiologyresidency
laststhreeyearstotal.Sheexplainedhowanesthesiologyisabetterresidencytohavecompared
tootherspecialties:Ihadmoretimeoffthanotherspecialtieswithamoreflexibleschedule
(Haeussner).Currently,mymentorworks40to50hoursaweek,fourtofivedaysaweek.She
getstopickherhoursandcanbeasflexiblewithherscheduleasshedesires.Shegetstopick
whenshewantstobeoncall,andsheusuallytakesthisonedayaweek.Onthesedays,sheis
paidmoreandisabletohavethenextdayoffwhilestillbeingpaid.Shealsoexplainedhow
otheranesthesiologistshavebeenabletohaveafamily,andanesthesiologyisagreatcareerto


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haveafamilyinwiththeflexiblescheduling.Anesthesiologistsmakeonaverage$305,400to
$399,629ayear(Howto).
OtherspecialtiesthatIwillbeabletochoosefromotherthananesthesiologyinclude
emergencymedicine,psychiatry,dermatology,internalmedicine,pediatrics,surgery,obstetrics
andgynecology,andfamilymedicine.Thefirst,emergencymedicine,isafieldthatisalways
busy,varied,andfastpaced.ERphysicianspridethemselvesonbeingabletocareforany
patientwithanyconditionatanytimeandassuch,theyaretruegeneralists,withexpertisea
milewideandaninchdeep(MillerandBissell197).Thisspecialtyhasthefewesthoursof
almostanyotherfield,workinghalfofwhateveryotherdoctorworks.Emergencymedicine
physicianshaveaflexibleschedule,workingeighttotwelvehourshiftsatatime(Duong).The
downsideisthatthesephysiciansendupworkingmanyeveningsandweekends.Thereasonthat
manystudentschoosethisprofessionisthattheyareeagertoseethewidestpossiblespectrumof
pathologyandthefactthattheygettofeellikerealdoctors.Emergencymedicinephysicians
haveamajorimpactonpeopleslivesandseeavarietyofdifferenttypesofpatients.Theyget
paidonaveragebetween$222,378to$305,630ayear(Duong).
Psychiatryisthetreatmentofpatientsmentalillnessesthroughpsychotherapy,
psychoanalysis,medication,andhospitalization.Psychiatricsevaluatemedicalandsurgical
inpatientswithpotentialpsychiatricissuessuchasdepression,dementia,suicidalideation,or
evenpsychoticbehavior.Mostpsychiatristsworkindirectpatientpsychotherapywiththe
majorityinaprivatepracticesetting.Thisiswheretheymeetwithpatientsoveralongperiodof
timetoworkouttheissuesandprescribemedicationifnecessary.Psychiatristsmakeonaverage


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$185,554to$231,626ayearandworkaroutineschedulethattheysetupwiththeirpatients
basedonwhatworksforbothofthem(Psychiatrists).
Dermatologyisthediagnosisandtreatmentofdisordersofthehair,skin,nails,and
mucousmembranes.Theyalsotreatthebeautysideofthebody,includingacne,infections,
geneticdisorders,skincancertoscars,hairloss,tattooremoval,andaging.Theyprescribe
antibioticsandsometimesperformsmallmedicalproceduresonpatients.Dermatologistsmostly
workingrouppracticeclinics.Thisisalessdemandingschedule,withdermatologistsworking
30to40hoursaweek(Colucci).Onaverage,dermatologistsmake$269,567to$366,199a
year(Colucci).
Internalmedicineiswheredoctorsmustfigureoutthediseasethatapatienthasand
diagnosethem.Theyperformphysicals,runtests,andprescribemedication.Mostinternal
medicinephysiciansworkinaprivatepracticewheretheyseepatientsprimarilyintheiroffice.
Theytypicallyworkeighthoursadayfourtofivedaysaweek,seeing20to25patientsaday
(Internist).Onaverage,internalmedicinephysiciansmake$179,504to$226,406eachyear
(Internist).
Pediatricsisthetreatmentofchildrenfrombirthtoearlyadulthood.Theyhave
routine/preventativehealthexaminationsanddiagnoseavarietyofillnesses.Treatingchildrenis
alotdifferentfromadults,wherekidscanbefineatonepointandthencrashatthenext.The
careerismostlypracticedbyprimarycarepediatriciansfromtheiroffices,buttheysometimes
workinhospitals.Pediatricianstypicallyworkforeighthourseachdayfourtofivetimesa
week(Christensen).Althoughthesalaryislowerthanotherspecialties,makingonaverage
$159,558to$218,908ayear,theyarerewardedinotherways:Finally,youwillloseyour


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breathoverthestrength,composure,andattitudeofkidswithchronicandterminalillnesses.
Thereismuchwecanlearnfromthem,bothasphysiciansandhumans(MillerandBissell189).
Surgeryisafieldwherethejobisalwaysriskyandintense:Surgeonsareclassically
quick,decisivephysicianswhopridethemselvesontheirintimateknowledgeofanatomy,
disease,andcomplexsurgicaltechniques(MillerandBissell191).Theonlyreasontogointo
surgeryisifapersoncannotimaginedoinganythingelse.Surgeonsareresponsibleformeeting
withpatients,explainingrisksandprocedure,takingtestsandarrangexrays,carryout
operationswithateam,andtrackingpatientsprogressaftersurgery.Surgeonsarethehighest
paiddoctors,makingonaverage$301,880to$423,660ayear(Surgeons).Theyworklong
hours,workingonaverage50to60hoursaweek(Surgeons).
Obstetricsandgynecologyphysicianscaresolelyforwomenintheirpregnancies,
fertility,andgynecologicproblems.Gynecologistscanactasawomansprimarycaredoctor,but
theyalsospecializeincarerelatedtopregnanciesandthereproductivesystem.Gynecologists
workinhospitals,privatepractices,andclinics.Theyworkonaveragefivedaysaweekwith
eighthourshifts(OBGYN).Theymakeonaverage$225,010to$312,113ayear
(OBGYN).
Familymedicinephysiciansprovidepreventativehealthcareandmanagechronicand
complexconditionsoftheirpatients.Studentschoosetogointothisfieldbecausetheyhavethe
opportunitytobelongitudinallyinvolvedintheirpatientslives(MillerandBissell201).
Familymedicinephysicianstreatpatientsfromthetimethattheyareaninfanttountilthey
becomeanadult.Theytreatgenerationsoffamiliesandbuildlongtermrelationshipswiththese
patients.Whenpatientsfirsthaveanonemergencyhealthissue,theyseetheirfamilymedicine


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physiciansfirst.Theymostlyworkinmedicaloffices,andtheirschedulesareflexible.On
average,familymedicinephysiciansmakefrom$164,506to$214,337ayear(Family
Medicine).
Throughoutthisentireproject,IhavediscoveredsomuchmorethanIimagined.Ifound
moreinformationaboutmanydifferentmedicalprofessions.Idiscoveredwhatitwasliketobe
ananesthesiologistfirsthandandtheprocessofbecomingone.Idiscoveredmoreaboutmyself
asanindividualthanIimagined,andIaccomplishedeverythingthatIsetouttodobeforethis
projectbegan.
WhyThisisImportanttome:
Beforethisproject,Iwasdecidingbetweentwodifferentcolleges.Eachcollegehad
differentmajors,andIhadtodecideonwhetherIwantedtobeadoctororanursebeforeIchose
onwhichcollegeIwantedtoattend.Thefirstschool,theUniversityofArizona,offersmore
degreesforstudentswhowanttotakeapremedicalroute,includingphysiology,nutrition,
biology,andchemistry.Thisuniversityisknownforitstoprankedhealthprograms,andIwould
gohereifIwantedtobecomeadoctor.Thesecondschool,ArizonaStateUniversity,offereda
greatnursingschoolprogram.Iwasalreadydirectlyadmittedintothisnursingprogram,andI
wouldremaininitaslongasIreceiveda3.8GPA.Ineededtodecidebetweenthesetwo
collegesdependingonwhatrouteIwantedtogointo.Ididnotwanttobetoolateinmydecision
makingandwastemoneyincollegetryingtofigureoutwhatIwantedtodoormakeamistakein
whereIwent.
BylookingintothesedifferentmedicalprofessionsthatIwillbeabletogointo,Ihave
foundthatIdohaveapassionforbecomingadoctor.TheexcitementthatIhadbeinginthe


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hospitalisafeelingthatIcouldneverreplace.Icouldgointoahospitaleverydayandfeelthat
samerushnomatterhowmanytimesIdidit.IbelievethatIamcapableofbecomingadoctor
becauseofmyworkethicandabilitytonevergiveup.ThisprojecthelpedmediscoverwhoIam
asanindividualandthatbeingadoctoristheonlyprofessionthatIwouldwanttodotherestof
mylife.
BylookingintothesedifferentmedicalprofessionsthatIwillbeabletogointo,Ihave
foundthatIdohaveapassionforthecareerofanesthesiology.AlthoughIamsureIwantto
becomeadoctor,therearemanyfieldsotherthananesthesiologythatIamabletogointo.In
ordertoexpandmyknowledgefurtherabouttheseotherspecialties,Iwishtoshadowotherkinds
ofmedicaldoctorsinthefutureinordertoseetheseprofessionsfromtheirpointofviewalso.
Bycompletingthisproject,Ifoundthatasofrightnow,becomingadoctoriswhatIwish
todoinlife.ThisprojectwasimportantinfiguringoutmyfutureandwhatIwanttodowithit.I
amnowcurrentlyenrolledattheUniversityofArizonaasaphysiologymajor.Itwasanamazing
experiencetorealizethatbecomingadoctoriswhatIwanttodo,andthisistherightpathfor
me.IamnowexcitedforwhatthefutureholdsandtheprofessionthatIhavechosentopursue.


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WorksCited
AndrewColucci."HowtoBecomeaDermatologist."InnerBody.HOWTOMEDIA,2016.Web.
11Apr.2016.
DavidDuong."CareerInformation:EmergencyMedicine."CareerInformation:Emergency
Medicine.TheRegentsoftheUniversityofCalifornia,Apr.2013.Web.11Apr.2016.
"FamilyMedicine."ExploreHealthCareers.AmericanDentalEducationAssociation,10Apr.
2016.Web.11Apr.2016.
Haeussner,Gina.MentorInterview.PersonalInterview.RoseHospital.Evergreen,CO.23
March2016.
"HowtoPrepareforaCareerinAnesthesiology."ASA.AmericanSocietyofAnesthesiologists,
2016.Web.11Apr.2016.
"Internist."DoctorofInternalMedicineCareerandJobInformation.CareerProfile,2016.Web.
11Apr.2016.
MariaChristensen."TheDutiesofaPediatricDoctor."TheDutiesofaPediatricDoctor.Hearst
Newspaper,2016.Web.11Apr.2016.
Miller,RobertH.,andDanielM.Bissell.MedSchoolConfidential:ACompleteGuidetothe
MedicalSchoolExperience,byStudents,forStudents.NewYork:St.Martin's
Griffin/ThomasDunne,2006.Print.
"NursingOverview."ExploreHealthCareers.TheVoiceofDentalEducation,10Apr.2016.
Web.11Apr.2016.
"OBGYN:JobInformationandRequirementsforaCareerasanOBGYN."Study.com.N.p.,
2016.Web.11Apr.2016.


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"PsychiatristsJobDescription,EducationRequirementsandSalaryOutlook."U.S.News.U.S.
NewsUniversityDirectory,2010.Web.11Apr.2016.
"Surgeons."SurgeonJobInformation.SkillsFundingAgency,2016.Web.11Apr.2016.