Pediatrician 101: What You Need To Know Before You Apply To Medical School

by

29 January 2024

Job & Career

how to become a pediatrician

Are you curious about the requirements, duration, and other aspects of how to become a pediatrician? To assist you in beginning your pediatric care journey, we will respond to these inquiries.

If you have a strong interest in both medicine and working with children, becoming a pediatrician might be the ideal career choice. The unique duty of providing care for children from birth to adolescence falls on pediatricians. This makes their line of work interesting and fulfilling. Let’s find out more about the obligations pediatricians have before they become one.

How To Become A Pediatrician?

How To Become A Pediatrician?

The pediatrician education requirements are a rigorous program. If you are planning to become one or are just curious about it, here is everything you need to know about how to become a pediatrician:

Get A Bachelor’s Degree

Get A Bachelor's Degree

The first step toward becoming a pediatrician (M.D.) is completing an undergraduate pre-med program and earning a bachelor’s degree.

Although the entrance requirements for medical schools vary, they all concentrate on a few common fields of study, such as:

  • Biology
  • Anatomy
  • Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Calculus
  • Physics

Before submitting an application to medical school, one must complete three years of undergraduate coursework and maintain a high GPA of 3.6 or above.

Because these programs are competitive, the most successful candidates have a diverse background that includes work, volunteer, extracurricular, and physician shadowing experience.

Medical school acceptance is possible even if you have only completed three years of college and do not hold a bachelor’s degree. Post-baccalaureate programs are available to assist students in catching up by offering the courses required for medical school applications.

You must send copies of your transcripts from any undergraduate and/or graduate school you have attended to apply. Letters of recommendation and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) results are also required. You can retake the MCAT if you’re not happy with your results.

Sending a single application to several medical schools can be facilitated by the American Medical College Application Service. Whatever their undergraduate major, all college students hoping to go to medical school should take these specific courses.

Get A Medical Degree (4 Years)

Get A Medical Degree (4 Years)

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) has a list of accredited medical education programs. You can contact the Association of American Medical Colleges for additional details and guidance on how to apply to medical schools.

During the four years of medical school, students study fundamental science subjects and take part in clinical “rotations.”

These are practical clinical experiences conducted in actual healthcare facilities. Most medical schools require students to complete classroom course work for the first two years before assigning them to rotations.

On the other hand, many medical schools now expose their students to early clinical experiences that last the entire four-year program.

The majority of medical schools use a system-based curriculum, which concentrates on one physiological system at a time, like the neurological or respiratory systems.

Others might employ a case-based curriculum, in which students follow specific patient cases from beginning to end in order to learn about the normal functioning of the human body and the processes involved in disease. Some medical schools instruct their students by combining these methods in different ways.  

The following subjects makeup the most typical curricula at medical schools:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Psychology
  • Pharmacology
  • Ethics

Students must gain practical experience in hospitals and clinics during their final two years of education. Under the guidance of licensed physicians, they will learn how to diagnose and treat patients.

Internal medicine, obstetrics, psychiatry, and pediatrics are among the specialties that fall under clinical rotations. An individual who successfully completes four years of medical school gets a medical degree or M.D.

Offering combination degree programs, such as MD/MPH, MD/Ph.D., or MD/JD, is another popular trend in education. Further details about this option can be found on the Medical School Admission Requirements page of the AAMC website.

Licensure And Certification

Licensure And Certification

Physicians must pass a national standardized exam in order to practice in any state. State-by-state variations exist in licensing requirements. For more information, get in touch with your state’s medical board.

To become a pediatrician (M.D.), one must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) are the sponsors of the USMLE.

On the USMLE website, prospective doctors can find practice questions, tutorials, and additional study resources. There is a six-try limit for this exam, and you cannot retake it to get a better score.

Bypassing an additional sub-specialty certification exam, pediatricians can also obtain certification in a sub-specialty.

Residency Program (3-4 Years)

Residency Program (3-4 Years)

You’re not done when you graduate from medical school. It’s time to finish your residency and select your specialty. Alongside these residency programs, there are intensive clinical training experiences available.

Future pediatricians can choose to pursue specialized training in pediatric medicine. During clinical rotations, residents interact directly with patients and have the opportunity to evaluate their own work and case studies.

Three years is the average duration of a pediatric residency, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges. Residents gain knowledge of newborn care and general pediatrics during that time.

Over 9,400 graduate medical education programs are available in an interactive database through the American Medical Association’s online FREIDA service.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education grants accreditation to each of these programs. Information on more than 200 combined specialty programs is also available.

Staying Licenced And Certified

Staying Licenced And Certified

Pediatricians must pursue ongoing education in order to maintain their certification. To assist physicians in staying current with pediatric advancements, the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) have created a four-part program.

Every ten years, they take an exam to gauge their level of professionalism, medical knowledge, practice methods, and communication abilities. Moreover, it is mandatory for pediatricians to obtain credits for continuing education.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Pediatrician?

How Long Does It Take To Become A Pediatrician?

Depending on your timeline, it takes between 11 and 15 years to become a pediatrician:

  • Four years to earn a bachelor’s degree
  • Four years of medical school attendance
  • Completing a three- to four-year pediatric residency
  • Pursuing a two- to four-year optional fellowship

If you take years off before attending college or medical school, it might take longer. Attending a three-year MD program or using AP credits to satisfy prerequisites for introductory courses may allow you to reduce the length of time you need to complete your education. The answer to how long does it take to be a pediatrician depends entirely on you.

Wrapping Up

You can now look forward to the fulfilling duty of helping children and their families on a daily basis, having learned how to become a pediatrician. The benefits of receiving pediatric care often last a lifetime and continue long after a person reaches adulthood.

Even though becoming a pediatrician is not an easy path, you can realize your dream with perseverance, commitment, and a clear understanding of what you have to do.

If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

Learn More About:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Achieving Academic And Clinical Placement Success For Nurses

Nursing is an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career choice. Nursing school is a very exciting and busy time in your life, especially toward the end of your education. Practicing good strategies for balancing your academic, clinical placement, family, and other obligations is important. As a prospective nurse, it’s important to understand what you can do to improve your experience so you can be well-prepared for your future career. Here are some tips for balancing your life while attending classes, clinical placements, and studying for your nursing licensing exams. Practice Good Time Management Managing your time is difficult as a student. Some nursing students have more obligations than others to consider when creating a good time management plan. This can be very challenging, but it is achievable with good planning and discipline. Considering your obligations for a week and making a plan or schedule is helpful. It’s also important to realize that things happen sometimes that are beyond your control that may make it necessary for you to reorganize your day. This is good practice for working as a nurse because nurse schedules can vary wildly due to the unpredictable nature of healthcare. Of course, being realistic about what you can do in a day is critical. Trying to pack too much into each day for an extended period can lead to burnout and affect all areas of your life. Nursing can be stressful, and it’s important that staff use all the resources available to them during busy times. This is particularly important for those who are studying alongside their work placement. Avoid Procrastination Waiting until the last minute to take care of priorities can make life extremely stressful. It’s important to schedule time to catch up on tasks that take longer than expected. Using your time effectively and efficiently is crucial in avoiding last-minute stress. Be realistic about what is most important and prioritize those tasks first. If there are particular things that you find yourself procrastinating on more than others, then you need to consider why that is and take steps to put yourself in a better mindset to take on the task and get it out of the way sooner rather than later. Take Care Of Yourself Being driven and highly motivated is great, but, as a nurse, it’s important to make sure you stay healthy and happy in order to provide the best care you can to your patients. Nursing can be very physically demanding. Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly will help you have the energy you need to get things done while keeping you fit and healthy. Of course, everyone needs some time to relax and enjoy a hobby or pastime. Prioritizing self-care at home will help you perform at your best in the workplace. Don’t forget to make time for important things in your life, such as family, friends, and the activities you enjoy outside of work and studying. Allow Enough Time For Sleep Clinical placements are very important to take seriously; they are an excellent place to gain valuable references, and in some cases, you may even be able to land a position at the facility where you are doing your placement at. During your clinical placement, it is imperative that you are well-rested and alert so you can provide your patients with a high level of care while learning the skills you need to do your job well While it can be tempting to work as much as possible to further your career, it is not a good idea. You need to get adequate rest to perform well in your placement and studies. Even if you allow enough time for sleep, it may be that stress and having a lot on your mind makes it hard to fall asleep and stay that way. Doing something relaxing for at least 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep is a good idea. Avoiding computers, tablets, and smartphone screens is recommended. Try reading a physical book, listening to music, taking a relaxing bath, or doing whatever it might be that makes you feel relaxed in a healthy way. Use The Support Of Those Around You Using the support of friends, family, and partners is important when studying alongside a work placement. Ensuring that those around you are aware of your busy schedule means that you can maintain healthy relationships that can support you through your work. Partners, friends, and family are able to provide both emotional and practical support. Talking to loved ones can be an important emotional support, while friends, family, and partners can offer practical help by helping you out around the house, or caring for your pets or children. If you have important exams that mean extra study time, be proactive in making sure that your schedule is cleared for the most part well in advance. Your loved ones will understand if you’re more busy for a time, and can be an invaluable source of help through a stressful time. Tips For Academic Success Finding time to study may seem challenging, so it is good to have some strategies to help you make the most of your time. Take Plentiful And Good Notes  The notes you take are important. For starters, you learn things better if you write them down. Notes help you have the information you need the most in a concise format. Great notes mean you can create a study guide that can help you concentrate on the information you need the most for exams, papers, and other work. Consider Studying With A Partner Having someone to study with can be very useful and help you both stay on task. During study sessions, you can quiz each other and rely on one another to discuss and explain concepts you are struggling with. A study session with a buddy can also be an opportunity to have a bit of fun. A reward at the end of a successful study session can boost your mood and provide a welcome break from a day’s hard work. The reward can be anything you both enjoy, such as catching up with a television show, taking a walk, or eating some particularly good food. Vary Your Study Locations It is easy to get in the habit of studying in the same spot every time. This can become boring and eventually make it harder to concentrate. Even if you have to study at home, you can switch desks or rooms, or even try working in the garden. Alternatively, consider studying at the library, a favourite coffee shop, the park, or anywhere with a comfortable, suitable space. Nurses working toward the same or a similar qualification can meet in a study group to compare notes and motivate each other. This is particularly practical for those working on the same nursing placement. Study groups are a great opportunity to enhance learning, socialize, and bond with fellow students and colleagues. Consider How You Learn Best Everyone is different when it comes to learning habits and practices. It is important to be honest about your learning style and how you learn best. Some people do well with memorization exercises while others may need to write something down multiple times. All of this can depend on what kind of learner you are. The time of day that you study can make a big difference too. If you are able to study during the part of the day or night that you are most alert and seem to learn the best, then you will make the best use of your study time. If you are not a morning person, then trying to study then is not the best use of your time. Consider if you study best in shorter but more frequent sessions or when you can set aside longer blocks of time and plan your schedule accordingly. Eliminate As Many Distractions As Possible We live in a very distracting world. In modern times there is social media and unlimited distractions available via the internet. While it is important to find time to do things you enjoy and you absolutely should not neglect family obligations, it is important that you have some time that is solely dedicated to studying without any major distractions. If you have to do so, silence alerts on your phone, and eliminate any unnecessary technology.  It can also help to keep it simple when it comes to meals and snacks to save time. There are also a number of apps available that can help productivity and will stop you from using your phone for certain periods of time or can block the more distracting social media apps. Making The Most Of Your Clinical Placements No matter what level of nursing degree you are trying to achieve, you will need to complete a series of clinical placements to graduate and qualify for any licensing exams. Nurses advancing their careers through an RN to MSN NP course benefit from degree programs that offer clinical placement services. Wilkes University offers a 100% online program that allows you to choose from three specializations: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric/mental health. Choosing the right clinical placement is very important because it is where you can apply all your previously learned knowledge and help treat actual patients. It’s important also to connect with your preceptor; your preceptor is the mentor you will be working under at a medical facility. They may be an RN, nurse practitioner, or physician, and can provide you with valuable knowledge and experience to help you through your education. Ask Questions Keep a notebook with you during your clinical placement and write down anything of interest or any questions you might want to ask your preceptor. Asking a lot of questions will help you gain the most knowledge and prevent you from making assumptions or mistakes. Writing down your questions is important because, in a hectic healthcare setting, you may have to wait a while until an appropriate moment to ask them arises; not all questions should be asked when you are trying to shadow your mentor while treating patients. Treat Your Placement Seriously Taking your clinical placement as seriously as if it were your permanent job is important to your success. You want to provide your patients with the highest level of care possible; you will learn the most by treating patients conscientiously. Conclusion Balancing academic and clinical placement success is possible. By creating a good schedule based on prioritizing tasks while practising self-care, you can succeed in all areas of your life while pursuing your nursing dreams. Now is a great time to pursue a career in nursing due to the high demand and amazing opportunities it presents. There are online degree programs that you can do while maintaining your regular job. If you have prior higher education, you may qualify for accelerated programs that allow you to achieve your career goals faster than you think. Read Also: Health Tips For Hard Working Men 3 Top Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy Health Tips For Hard Working Men

READ MOREDetails
welding as a career

Welding As A Career Choice

Professional choices are the hardest to make. As soon as a person completes his education, he starts a new journey. There are many professions that a person can choose depending upon his educational background and interests. If you have a passion for creating something unique from heavy metals, welding as a career is the best choice for you. Welding as a career choice or a profession doesn't require any specific degree. It is a profession that helps you learn a skill and earn parallel. Moreover, it is a thrilling and daring profession. Every profession has some pros and cons, so does welding. This article will highlight the pros and cons that a person will face after choosing welding as a profession.  4 Reason The Welding Profession In Demand Welding is a profession that is always in demand. Living in whichever state, a welder will never be out of a job. He will always find a job opportunity. For instance, during World War II, people were forced to change their professions. More soldiers were trained. However, the welder continued welding. Here are four reasons why you should choose welding as a career. 1. Easy To Climb Ladders Welding as a profession is very easy in its promotion terms. The more you weld, the more you gain experience and the more valuable your work becomes. It’s all in hand. So, it's easy to grow in the welding industry. The more you get experience, the more you get work.  Moreover, your price as a welder might be small at the start, but its chances to grow are wide. It allows you to earn a handsome amount of money. The heavy metal industry is growing, and welding as a career option is a good choice for passionate metal crafters. You may go through Things to Consider When Sourcing Employees for Manufacturing Plants 2. International Profession Welding work and techniques are the same in all the countries. You can travel from one country to another and still weld there. Thus giving you chances to live in multiple cultures and enjoy the beauty of diverse nations. From the international perspective, welding as a career is a good option among all the job options. 3. Enjoyable Profession This profession is quite fun to do. Witnessing the whole phenomenon of converting metal into a complete project makes this profession enjoyable. Moreover, people who like to accept challenges also find this profession fulfilling. The challenge of weaving a weld to a beautiful-looking sheet never lets you feel bored. After you choose welding as a career option every day, you can enjoy your creative day. 4. A Tough Job To Do Where a profession has its pros, it also has its cons. There is no denying that welding is a dangerous job to do. Not everyone can handle this hazardous job. However, the way the new welding tools are being designed like TIG Welders at Sydney Tools is making this job less dangerous. Taking help of face shields and gloves, etc., makes it less dangerous and safer to do. But welding as a career is entirely a safe career option. You only have to follow some special safety rules while working in the plant. It May Be Looked Down Upon By The Machinists Welding is a valuable profession but certain machinists/fitter and turners night look down upon the welders. A reason behind this might be the division between the welders and the machinists in larger firms. That's why most machinists who know welding prefer sticking to their machines. According to them, it is a more sophisticated job to do, and welding as a career is adventurous. This kind of discrimination has been witnessed by many welders. Conclusion: On The whole, welding is a noble profession earning you a handsome amount of money, especially if you are a thrill-loving person. While choosing welding as a career option, you always have to keep your energy level high, and your creative mind is always helping you to grow. Read Also: 5 Reasons Why a Marketing Degree Makes Sense in 2020 What are the Different Consulting Jobs?

READ MOREDetails
CV Writing

8 Tips for Tech CV Writing to Highlight Skills & Experience

When you are creating a tech industry CV, it is recommended to be specific. CV is the first point of contact with every client where you can sell yourself as a technologist. So, make sure to include the right information for the position you are applying for.  A report given by The PHA Group says that,  The UK technology sector ranks third globally.  It was recorded worth $988 billion in 2022.  MOL Learn gave another report that said,  The UK technology industry adds £41.5 billion to the country’s economy.  It is estimated to create 678,000 jobs by 2025.  This statistical analysis represents a surge in the tech sector. For several applicants applying for tech jobs, making a unique CV is a promising need. This guide will inform the reader of some essential tips and tricks to design your CV for the tech industry.  However, if you want to stand unique among all competitors, obtain a CV writing service from a professional. Thanks to their expertise, they know how to present your skills and background. They can portray it in an interesting yet concise way that can grab the attention of hiring managers. How Do I Write A CV For the Tech Industry? Top 8 Expert Tips When a recruiter opens up your tech industry CV, he has only 6 seconds to judge your expertise. If you stuff it with irrelevant information, those 6 seconds can be wasted in reading it and then considering you as needing to be aligned with the interest.  The tech professionals are in high demand. Due to increasing competition, a standard CV for tech industries would not be able to gain a cutting edge. A resume is more than a document listing your expertise. You need to present the highlights creatively so that the manager can think of calling you for an interview. To implement it effectively, the tips below can assist the intent.  1. Tailor It to Specific Companies  When recruiters scan your resume for the Tech Industry, they look for the specific keywords. If these keywords are mentioned in your resume, they will be taken out among others. So, make sure to add these keywords to it. Write them in bold letters to highlight your key expertise.  2. Create a Technological Skills Section  Are you looking for a way that how do you list tech skills on a CV? Making a separate technology section in the tech industry CV can be the best way to go regarding this. Place it right below your introduction and summary section. You can write it in bullet points and mention the specific tools or software used there.  Also, mention your expertise in using various technological tools. Remember to mention your skills in using both hardware and software.  3. Mention Expertise in Bullet Points  Most of the students make mistakes there. They do not differentiate their tech industry resume from the cover letter. A CV is only meant to highlight the key expertise. You are not supposed to write the details of each point.  However, in the cover letter, you will explain all the bullet points you mentioned in your CV. The recruiter does not have time to read this big block of information in the tech industry CV. Stick to the point to grant ease and enhance your chances of getting selected for an interview call.  4. Don’t Make It Longer Than One Page Once again, it's about the effective presentation of a tech industry CV. Writing long will increase the length, and the CV will exceed more than one page. A manager is likely not to turn the page to read the information mentioned on page number 2.  It might also be possible that the most relevant expertise is mentioned on the 2nd page. To avoid the trouble, be concise about font size and type to fit all the information on one page.  5. Get The Formatting Right  You can submit your resume in whichever format you like. However, it is recommended to be submitted in pdf or Word document. Make sure the presentation must be in the document type that is required by the uploading tool. Furthermore, cross-check the job description as it is considered the most preferred format in the whole tech industry CV structure.  6. Don’t Embellish It  You may want to embellish your CV, but it can be done elsewhere. As we have discussed above, the tech CV must be specific and balanced. The simpler and clearer it is, the better it looks. This sort of creativity and storytelling can be practised in other documents such as cover letters and portfolios. For more clarification, get some Tech industry CV writing ideas from previous samples. You will understand how simplicity is crucial for each sample.  7. Use AI Tools and Software to Better the Presentation  There are several tools available that can help you design a tech industry CV beautifully. It may include Canva, CakeResume, etc. Remember that an over-designed resume is prone to get rejected first-hand. The use of vibrant colours is great but don’t ignore the simplicity and clarity behind it. The document must be scannable afterwards.  8. Prove Your Abilities  Simply listing your key expertise in the tech industry CV does not seem sound. The recruiter may be suspicious that you just write about it. In practice, you have not done anything productive in the industry. That's why there is a need to prove your skills.  You may mention your previous experience, the company name, and the great benefit that sector got out of your service. Try to use specific terminology to describe it so that the manager can get an idea about your previous work.  Tech Industry CV Examples The UNC gives an example of a tech industry CV template. You may not align with the expertise provided below. However, get an idea and design your CV accordingly. If you need more than the template to write your bio specifically, search for your town's top CV writing services. These experts understand the competitive market well enough to design your resume efficiently. Taking expert assistance might be the best career decision you ever made.  Conclusion  There is no doubt that the tech industry sector is expanding. That’s why it is introducing several jobs to the applicants, for such students, making a tech industry CV is crucial. The way you will be preferred among all other candidates is highly dependent on your resume.  To beat the increasing competition, the above-mentioned key tips are helpful. Present your key skills efficiently and get ready to be called for the proceeding by the HR manager. Read Also: How to Start Your Career as a Financial Advisor? Top 7 Things To Take Into Consideration When Selecting Essay Writing Service 6 Ways to Achieve an Essay Writing Task Successfully

READ MOREDetails